Guessing is not a strategy: How to build decision velocity with AI and real-time data
June 10, 2026 | Live Webinar
Grassroots Governance
I was riding the 504 express bus from downtown Boston to Watertown last week, when the bus driver made a rather odd announcement: “The turnpike seems to be backed up. I am planning to go through Copley Square instead. Would anyone have a problem with that? There seems to be an accident up front.”
I happened to be standing at the front of the bus and heard a few assenting murmurs, while others seemed lost in their respective worlds and didn’t seem to care about the change in bus route. For those who don’t know about Boston and the outbound turnpike, let’s just say that getting on the pike would have turned a 30 minute ride into 90.
What do you call this driver’s action? Is it innovation or a violation? I am hoping that your own answer will surprise you.
A Call for Introspection
For some, it might appear to be a gross violation, a decision made in haste without (possibly) formal authority and hence subject to strictures. Others might see a strong sense of creativity and problem solving, along with purposeful and collaborative decision making that led to a real ROI of time saved for 45 passengers.
The driver made a decision, the passengers were asked to provide inputs, obviously the analysis was quick (almost instantaneous), ultimately the driver was responsible and accountable for the decision to take a …
Please log in or sign up below to read the rest of the article.
ADVERTISEMENTS
|
"Man is a game-playing animal, and a computer is another way to play games." - Scott Adams |