A possible explanation for “Murphy’s Law”

1. A possible explanation for “Murphy’s Law” Mr Paul Harris

2. “Murphy’s Law” • Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, at the worst possible moment and in the worst possible way. • O’Toole’s Comment – Murphy was an optimist! • Harris’ Corollary – solving any problem immediately creates at least two more problems.

3. Harris’ Law • “The harder you push any system the more unstable it becomes and the more management it requires”

4. Examples for Illustration • Engines • F1 vs family car • “Thrashed” car vs “old lady” car • Your own body • “Sensible” vs “Workaholic” • Top athlete vs Joe Average • Cycling • Mavericks puncture rate vs Ys puncture rate • Our Back Yard

5. Our Back Yard “Pushed” by dogs, flooding No dogs or flooding

6. Types of Systems • Many systems need some “management” to operate stably • too little or too much “pushing” causes problems. e.g. – the human body • Other systems respond linearly • more “management” gives “better” results, up to a point. e.g. – a sports team • Some systems should be left alone • any management decreases results e.g. – wilderness

7. Conclusions • Harris’ law appears to apply in a wide range of situations and • provides a basis for developing more robust systems • Some systems can be “pushed” by both increasing and decreasing inputs, both of which require more management to return the system to a stable state. • This stable state is not necessarily at “optimum” performance. (it depends on your criteria!)