LATENCY RATIO
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 1858 ▶ |
| Object type | Discipline oriented, Methodology or model |
The proportion of the latent resources in relation to the total ones.
This concept was introduced by St. BEER, in “The Brain of the Firm” (1972).
This author shows the necessity of maintaining a sufficient level of free resources, that could be mobilized in case of urgency.
It is always possible to boast the productivity of a system during a limited period of time by using some resource which should normally remain reserved for regulation of possible internal or external disturbances. Overburdening equipment or some other critical subsystem, reducing or suppressing maintenance, depleting financial reserves, etc… are such questionable ways.
These dangerous management practice may lead to progressive shrinking of the system or, worse, to disaster in case of an unexpected crisis.