Solving Cube Problem!!!!!

NAVRANG Cube: Creative Potential for Finding Solution

This class started with a new exercise on a 'NAVRANG' cube with 27 removable sub-cubes.

Navrang is a simple puzzle. In the process of solving the puzzle, there is a logic attached to it.

The challenge was to solve the cube - put it back into place with the given set of constraints –

Each face of the cube must have all the 9 colors. Which also means obviously that none of the colors can be repeated on any face - since there are only 9 slots in each.

In other words, No two same colours can appear on the same side of the 3 X 3 X 3 Cube.

Cube formation can be solved by applying the following logic namely:

i)  Rout Method and Blind Solution

ii) Mathematical Solution

The beauty of the solution lies in its simplicity and creative use of block formation technique.

For detailed description of these techniques please visithttp://nnhyderabad.blogspot.in/.

This is blog written on NAVRANG Cube by Prof. Mandi.

The beauty of the solution lies in its simplicity and creative use of block formation technique. The below pic shows how simple logic can be applied for solving NAVRANG cube puzzle.

Simple Logical Solution to NAVRANG puzzle

Management Lessons from the Exercise:

NAVRANG cube exercise can be wonderful learning aid to impart certain concepts related to management. 

For any problem, no matter how simple it is, initially it seems very confusing and complex. But it is the human mind which by applying a systematic thinking process, solves every problem.

A lot of problems, both in life, and in organizations, are similar in nature, unexpected, and are to be solved with some time constraints. They all have smaller, individual elements to them that have to be solved for us to solve the complete puzzle. And with the application of the right principles of management, we can actually, pretty easily, solve them.

The key to solving any problem is organization. The first step is to segregate the similar elements of the problem together. Once you have done that, everything else falls into place, and it is simply a matter of applying simple logic at each level.

Also there needs to be effective communication. The better you are at communication (either way), the better you learn how to do things, and how not to do things. You can watch and learn from the experiences of your seniors, or the mistakes of your peers, and nothing can teach you better.

Final takeaway - Next time when you come across a problem, try to understand it, use your creative potential, and arrive at a solution.

Problems are neither difficult nor easy. But, for sure there are people who use their minds and the other who don’t use their minds.

We can find solutions to all the present and including the future problems - If only we apply our creative potential and mind.

Three Monk Story!!!

3 Monks: "Teen Tigada; Kaam Bigada"

Since our childhood we have learned many stories and tales that have taught us something. One such movie took me back on the learning spree. The movie I am talking about is 3 monks film.This animated feature film produced by a Chinese animation Film Studio in the 80s highlights few managerial teachings in overall, a different way.this movie which Dr Mandi showed us in the class emphasizes on team work and give a very good lesson on its importance.

Crew:

• Directed by - A. Da
• Written by - Pao Lei
• Release Year - 1980

Awards Received:

• Outstanding film award at the China's Ministry of Culture
• Best animated film award at the Golden Rooster Award
• Silver Bear award for short film

The film is based on the ancient Chinese proverb "One monk will shoulder two buckets of water; two monks will share the load, but add a third and no one will want to fetch water." This animation does an excellent job of getting its point across without any spoken words, the audience who does not speak any Chinese can easily understand it just as good as Chinese.

Story-line:

A young monk(red) lives a simple and peaceful life in a temple on the top of a hill. He has one daily task that irks him: he has to haul two buckets of water up the hill. He tries to share the job with another monk(blue) who comes to the temple later, but the carrying pole the monks use is only long enough for one bucket. The arrival of a third monk(yellow) prompts everyone to expect that someone else will take on the chore. Consequently, no one fetches water though everybody is thirsty. At night, a rat comes to scrounge and then knocks the candle holder, leading to a devastating fire in the temple. The three monks finally unite together and make a concerted effort to put out the fire. Since then they understand the old saying "unity is strength" and begin to live a harmonious life. The temple never lacks water again.

The following management lessons can be inferred from the story:

• Concept of Taylorism or Scientific Management must be used appropriately to assign the work and increase productivity 
• Teamwork boosts the productivity while working for a common goal. 
• Whenever there is more than one person involved, Disputes are bound to occur. 
• Solution to a problem will evolve over time depending on the available resources
• Work must be divided on the basis of talent so that all of them bring synergy to the system. ( 1 + 1 = 11 ) 
• Attitude of everyone in the team is important and it ultimately determines the fate of the organisation 
• Team work and coordination is the key to success

My past experience with Mahindra Forgings Ltd Pune has taught me the importance of team work, coordination and synergy in a team in many situations. One such situation is as depicted: There were 3 of us working for a project which required anyone of us to be present 24 hours, 6 days a week and the project required a lot of documentation work. Rather than fighting on who will come for the night shift and who will look after documentation, my manager identified our strengths and liking for night shifts by a team member. He allotted the night shifts to the interested person and documentation work to the one who was good at it. The project successfully completed on time and all of us were appreciated by the site heads.

So the common learning that came out, both from this movie and my personal experience is: 

Teamwork

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships"