PoIC’s entropy model
To manage information, it is important to know how entropy increase/decrease in a system. Because it is a measure of randomness of information.
According to my experience of the PoIC, and whole cycle of activity using index cards, I think entropy in a system (that is, in a dock) can be represented with a model shown in the picture.
1. Entropy in a dock shows one-way growth with time due to chronological accumulation of index cards. Horizontal axis is Time which depends on a project.
2. At certain point, Task Force is organized as a preparation of reproduction. This time, cards are selected, extracted, then classified. So the entropy in the dock dramatically decrease in this process. In case of the PoIC manual, it is almost one year after of the start project.
3. The entropy drops again due to the reproduction and accomplishment. The Task Forces finish their work and won’t return to the dock that keeps chronological order.
4. The entropy won’t go back to zero because there is still cards remain in the dock. The remaining cards are used for other projects. So it’s o.k.
5. Ready to go to the next project!
As a result, an entropy of the PoIC system shows sawtooth-like cycle with time from long-term view point. It seems organizing Task Force process plays a key role to reduce entropy, and maintain order of the system.
