80/20 Rule

As we ponder the Blue Budget we are reminded of the Pareto principle, known by many as the 80/20 Rule.

The principle states that about 80% of effects are caused by 20% of the causes.

We experience this principle, a bit like the golden mean, played out in many different contexts, validating a deeper truth.

In business, for instance, we often hear the axiom that 80% of sales comes from 20% of customers.

We see this principle being used from economics (wealth concentration) to programming (bugs responsible for errors) to baseball (players responsible for runs).

Many have felt that Google's rise as a creative technology company has been due, in part, to another application of this rule, that which granted employees 20% of their time to creative exploration.

As we begin to look at Tempo Interruptions in a new light, not as production failures, but as creative opportunities, we now look at them each as a Moment of Creative Potential.

Moments of Transmutational Experience that hold a promise of transformational impact. An impact that accelerates the tempo of development and helps us engineer more system resilience and illuminate new customer value.

One could argue, then, that 20% might be a good starting point for a blue budget.