Interdependence

Go back to the List of Patterns

Problem or Challenge

Include a concise statement of the problem or need that must be addressed

Describe the context where this particular pattern can appropriately be applied in neither an excessively narrow nor overall broad fashion. Specific contraindications may be listed. If possible, associate the pattern with one or more of the categories from Julian Vincent's paper (page 7, TRIZ and Biology - the Synthesis):

• substance (or material)
• structure (or organization)
• energy (usage, transformation or regulation)
• information (usage or transformation)
• space (or spatial relationship with other entities)
• time (or temporal relationship with other events)

Also attempt to identify the scales over which the pattern tends to work:

• microscopic (atom, molecule, organelle, cell)
• small (tissue, organ, organism)
• medium (population, community)
• large (ecosystem)
• very large (biosphere)

Therefore

A short description of the solution or resolution, in the form of a 'directive' to the user.

Describe the specific tasks involved, how the result of the solution is used, why the solution works, and the relationship of the solution to other patterns.

But

Describe all the consequences (positive and negative) of applying this pattern.

Describe how application of the pattern may change the context.

List diverse examples (successful and possibly unsuccessful) where this pattern was implemented.

See Also (Optional)

References to other patterns not mentioned elsewhere

Applications

Ducks Unlimited

From Our History:

"Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) roots are planted in Canada’s Prairies in the dirty, dusty days of the Great Depression. Wetlands were steadily disappearing from drought, agriculture and urban expansion. As a result, waterfowl populations were plummeting.

In 1937, a group of conservation-minded sportsmen set out to contend with the destruction and neglect. They initiated habitat conservation projects in Canada - where 70 per cent of North America’s waterfowl originate - by raising funds in the United States."

I suspect the sportsmen had ulterior motives - they were seeing duck populations decline dramatically, at least partly due to duck hunting. It could be argued that a 'duck hatcheries and release' program would have been a more efficient way of 'solving' the problem, if the measurement was 'additional ducks in the air per dollar'. I suggest that wetland conservation is more effective, in that it restores or regenerates the environment that supports ducks and other waterfowl. There is no guarantee that such a 'systems solution' would be successful. On the other hand, re-creating niches combined with the existence of remaining duck populations increased the chances of success. In addition, wetland conservation delivers many other benefits, beyond the immediate needs of duck hunters: again, less efficient (from a duck hunter's perspective) but overall more effective.