Plastic Brains
Can your brain change itself? Can your ERP system?
In the Brain That Changes Itself, Norman Doidge argues that our brains are plastic and can reorganize themselves based on inputs from the environment. It’s not just that our brains operate on reality; it’s also that reality operates on our brains. Large portions of our brains that normally manage one set of functions can be re-mapped to other functions under the right conditions. Also, cause-and-effect can be subtler than you think. It’s often assumed that your good mood causes you to smile. The mood is the cause; the smile is the effect. But it’s also the case that the mere act of smiling can improve your mood. (Try it).
Wouldn’t it be great if the same thing could happen in an ERP system? Normally, we think of the system as managing the process. The ERP system manages the manufacturing process, for instance. Wouldn’t it be useful if the reverse were true as well? When the manufacturing process changes, shouldn’t the ERP system also change? Shouldn’t the ERP system learn from reality as much as it manages reality?
It’s a good question and a worthy goal. A system that learns would constantly improve itself and, at least in theory, would never have to be upgraded. We certainly don’t claim to be there yet, but it’s a thought in the backs of our minds. It’s one of the reasons we invest in pattern languages like Landmark, questioning systems like Lawson Business Intelligence, process management tools like Lawson ProcessFlow integrator, and encompassing user environments like Lawson Smart Office. We’re not sure if we can build a business management system that truly learns from its environment. But we’d sure like to try.
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