One of the most fascinating concepts in system dynamics is the “drift to low performance”.

The drift begins when standards are allowed to go unmet, often with a single exception caused by unique circumstances.

The problem is that each exception makes the next easier to justify. And slowly but surely, every expectation, effort and quality standard degrades as targets are lowered to meet performance.

Software becomes buggier and slower. Design becomes less and less user-friendly. The firm hires A players, then B’s, C’s and D’s. The occasional discount becomes a constant price cut. Before you know it, excellence becomes mediocrity.

We can all be lazy, take shortcuts, and come up with excuses for our shortcomings. But performance must go up, not down, if we're to stay competitive. A single lapse can set off a downward trend.

The only solution is to set clear standards and principles and allow no exceptions. If each version of the product must be faster, weigh less, whatever, you must enforce it every time. As Clay Christensen wrote, "Decide what you stand for. And then stand for it all the time."

This is easier than you think because you don't have to think. When standards are immovable, you can devote all your energy to meeting them, not deciding if it's ok that you haven't.

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