Out of the Scientists Garden: A Story of Water and Food Richard Stirzaker

Five things I learnt on the LWA Fellowship 1.How to think across scales 2.How understand cause and effect 3.How to plan 4.How to persevere 5.How to simplify

1. Scale Passioura 1979

Known (A) Cause-effect understood Knowable (B) Cause-effect discoverable Complex (C) Cause-effect coherent in retrospect Chaotic (D) No perceivable cause- effect 2. Cause and Effect Snowden 2002

Managerial thinking Select among existing means and plan to meet defined goal Strategic thinking Generate new means to strive towards desired goal Creative thinking Start with what you’ve got to explore an imagined end Sarasvarthy Planning Defined goal Imagined ends Desired goal

Managerial thinking Select among existing means and plan to meet defined goal Strategic thinking Generate new means to strive towards desired goal Creative thinking Start with what you’ve got to explore an imagined end Defined goal Imagined ends Desired goal M3M3 M5M5 M2M2 M4M4 M1M1 M1M1 M7M7 M3M3 M6M6 M8M8 M1M1 M2M2 M3M3 M4M4 M5M5

4. Perseverance Dean Kamen

1 2 3 Idea gets over-complicated and utility stagnates Idea is simplified and utility improves New detail improve utility again Develop idea to deliver utility Functional utility Detail Simplifying Ward 2005

On the road….

Richard – I read it all in one sitting! It is a delight. Oh, and absolutely loved the book BTW. Read it in one sitting. have passed it onto Sarah, my offsider…..Once I get it back, I'll re-read it I also really enjoyed it. I did read it cover to cover, in one day, so I think that’s good evidence that I found it a very easy and enjoyable read. The book is a fascinating read and I didn’t want it to end – I expect to re-read it many times as the years go by I really enjoyed it – very well written, was disappointed when it finished – which is rare for me in a non fiction book. My Imagined end

Contact Us Phone: or Web: CSIRO Land and Water Richard Stirzaker Principal Research Scientist Phone: Web: