The Act of Will vs DMAIC

This article is part of a series comparing business frameworks with the act of will.

Why compare the Act of Will with DMAIC?

The purpose of comparing diverse processes like Lean Six Sigma’s DMAIC with the stages of the act of will is rooted in modern educational psychology, which emphasizes the effectiveness of associative learning. By linking new concepts to familiar frameworks, learners can more easily assimilate and understand novel information. This comparative approach leverages existing cognitive structures, making the learning process more intuitive and relatable. For individuals well-versed in established methodologies like DMAIC, drawing parallels with the stages of the act of will facilitates a deeper comprehension and appreciation of Assagioli’s principles. It’s a strategy that aligns with constructivist theories of learning, where constructing new knowledge is based on what one already knows, leading to more meaningful and integrated learning experiences. This method not only enhances the learning process but also encourages the practical application of new concepts in familiar contexts, thereby reinforcing their utility and relevance in diverse areas of personal and professional development.

Introduction

The stages of the act of will, as outlined by Roberto Assagioli, can be compared to the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) framework used in Lean Six Sigma. Both of these methodologies involve a process-oriented approach to achieving goals, whether personal development (in the case of the act of will) or process improvement and quality management (in the case of DMAIC).

DMAIC and the Act of Will Compared

1. Purpose, Aim, or Goal (Act of Will) vs. Define (DMAIC):
   • In the act of will, establishing a purpose, aim, or goal is about setting a clear intention or objective. It’s an internal, introspective process.
   • In DMAIC, Define is about identifying the problem or the opportunity for improvement. It’s more external, often focused on process-oriented objectives in an organizational context.
   • Analogically, both stages are foundational, setting the direction for the subsequent steps.
2. Deliberation (Act of Will) vs. Measure (DMAIC):
   • Deliberation involves considering various options and methods to achieve the aim. It’s a phase of exploration and examination.
   • Measure is about collecting data and understanding the current state of the process to be improved.
   • Thematically, both are about gathering information — internally in the case of the will and externally in Lean Six Sigma — to make informed decisions.
3. Choice and Decision (Act of Will) vs. Analyze (DMAIC):
   • This stage in the act of will is where a specific course of action is chosen after careful consideration.
   • Analyze in DMAIC involves examining the data to understand cause-and-effect relationships and pinpointing problems.
   • Comparatively, both stages are critical turning points where insights are formed leading to decisive actions.
4. Affirmation (Act of Will) vs. Improve (DMAIC):
   • Affirmation is committing to the decision, reinforcing the will to act.
   • Improve is about developing and implementing solutions to the problems identified.
   • Analogically, both stages involve a commitment to action and the mobilization of resources (internal in the case of will, and external in Lean Six Sigma).
5. Planning and Working Out a Program (Act of Will) vs. Improve (DMAIC) (Continued):
   • Here, detailed planning for executing the decision takes place in the act of will.
   • This aligns with the latter part of the Improve phase, where plans are put into motion.
   • Thematically, both stages are about translating decisions or solutions into actionable plans.
6. Direction of the Execution (Act of Will) vs. Control (DMAIC):
   • The final stage of the act of will involves the execution and direction of actions.
   • Control in DMAIC focuses on maintaining the improvements and making sure the process continues to work optimally.
   • Comparatively, both involve overseeing the implementation of plans and ensuring the desired outcomes are achieved and sustained.

Summary

While the stages of the act of will and the DMAIC process serve different primary purposes (personal development vs. process improvement), they share common themes of goal setting, information gathering, decision making, commitment to action, planning, and execution. Each stage in both processes builds upon the previous one in a structured and systematic way to achieve desired outcomes.