TERBISConsequence thinking
A series on systems thinking, feedback loops, and unintended consequences. Eight articles showing why most decisions backfire — and what to do about it.
Thinking in scenarios: how to see consequences before they happen
Most decisions look good on paper. The problem is what happens afterward, when reality answers back. Here's how to think in scenarios – and why the cobra effect is the clearest example of what happens when you don't.
The cobra effect in depth: when the fix becomes the problem
The cobra effect is more than a good story about snakes in Delhi. It's a recurring pattern in how organizations set targets – and it can be recognized before it strikes.
Systems thinking: why cause and effect are rarely a straight line
The cobra effect isn't an exception – it's what happens when you steer a system without understanding how it's wired together. Systems thinking gives you the language to see those connections before they bite back.
Worse before better: why the right fix rarely feels right at first
The best fix rarely looks best at the start. The worst one often does. Here's why – and how to tell which curve you're actually on.