Holistic vs. Piecemeal

Piecemeal approaches characterized by unsystematic partial measures produce piecemeal results, if at all. Some entities are slowly being killed off by piecemeal development.

Big challenges must be addressed holistically if you want to turn them to your advantage.

Complex systems must be designed holistically if you want to achieve their harmonious growth and sustainability.

There were two men working for the city council. One would dig until a deep hole in the ground appeared. The other would come behind him and fill the hole with piles of dirt. The two men worked furiously: one digging a hole, the other filling it up again.

A man was watching the pair from the footpath but couldn’t understand what they were doing. Finally he decided to ask the hole digger: “I appreciate how hard you work, but what are you doing? You dig a hole and your partner comes behind you and fills it up again!"

The hole digger replied: “Oh yeah, it must look funny, but the guy who plants the trees is sick today.”