ROI Case File No.264 | 'Latin American Agricultural Company's Innovation'

Chapter One: Agricultural Management at an Impasse - A Labyrinth of Complex Challenges

The week following the resolution of CodeStream Technologies' 5 Whys case, a consultation arrived from Latin America regarding stagnation in agricultural innovation. Episode 264 of Volume 21 "Deepening Analysis" tells the story of systematically decomposing intricately intertwined challenges and elevating them to executable strategy.

"Detective, we've set the grand goal of 'agricultural modernization,' but we can't see where to begin. Challenges are mountainous, and everything seems important. As a result, nothing is progressing."

AgriTech Colombia's Chief Strategy Officer, Carlos Rodriguez from Bogotá, visited 221B Baker Street with a lost expression. In his hands were a 100-page report titled "Agricultural Modernization Plan" and a Gantt chart showing zero execution status in stark contrast.

"We manage 4,000 hectares of coffee plantations in Colombia. Climate change, labor shortages, international price fluctuations, technological lag - the challenges are clear. But we can't prioritize where to start."

AgriTech Colombia's Vortex of Challenges: - Founded: 1985 (Long-established coffee plantation) - Farmland area: 4,000 hectares - Employees: 850 - Annual yield: 8,000 tons - Challenge count: 87 improvement items listed in report - Completed: 0 items (over 18 months)

The report was substantial. Yet execution was zero. Carlos's expression showed deep anxiety.

"The problem is that all challenges are intricately intertwined. To improve irrigation systems requires electrical infrastructure. Electrical infrastructure needs funding. Funding needs profit improvement. Profit improvement needs quality enhancement. Everything depends on everything else, and we don't know where to start."

Complex Challenge Interdependencies: - Quality improvement ← Cultivation techniques, soil management, harvest timing - Profit improvement ← Quality improvement, cost reduction, sales channel expansion - Labor securing ← Better treatment, mechanization, living environment improvement - Technology introduction ← Investment funding, human resource development, infrastructure development - Sustainability ← Environmental conservation, community coexistence, long-term vision

"We're paralyzed before the grand goal of 'agricultural modernization.'"

Chapter Two: The Power of Mandala Charts - Decomposing Goals into 9×9

"Mr. Rodriguez, what structure organizes your current 'Agricultural Modernization Plan'?"

To my question, Carlos spread open the thick report.

"Basically it's a list of challenges. Items like 'Irrigation System Improvement,' 'Working Environment Enhancement,' 'Quality Control Strengthening' - 87 items are enumerated. But their relationships and priorities aren't clear."

Current Plan (Unstructured List): - Format: 87 challenges listed - Classification: None (all on same level) - Priority: Unclear - Interrelationships: Not described - Execution plan: Abstract

I explained the need for goal decomposition and concretization.

"Large goals cannot be executed as-is. They must be decomposed into concrete elements, and each must be broken down into executable actions. The Mandala Chart is an excellent tool supporting this thinking."

⬜️ ChatGPT | Catalyst of Concepts

"From center to 8 directions, then from each direction to 8 more. 81 cells become a strategy map."

🟧 Claude | Alchemist of Narratives

"Mandala is a microcosm of the universe. Its structure transforms chaos into order."

🟦 Gemini | Compass of Reason

"Mandala Charts are the architecture of thought. Descending gradually from abstract to concrete."

The three members began their analysis. Gemini deployed the "Agricultural Innovation-Specific Mandala Chart" framework on the whiteboard.

Mandala Chart (9×9 Grid) Structure: - Center: Ultimate goal (1 cell) - Layer 1: 8 elements necessary for goal achievement (8 cells) - Layer 2: 8 actions realizing each element (64 cells) - Total: 81 cells

"Mr. Rodriguez, let's decompose the grand goal of 'agricultural modernization' into 81 concrete actions."

Chapter Three: Decomposing Thinking - From Abstract to Concrete

Phase 1: Clarifying the Central Goal (1 week)

First, we verbalized the vague "agricultural modernization" into a clear goal.

Central Goal: "Establish a sustainable, profitable smart agriculture model within 5 years"

Phase 2: Extracting Layer 1's 8 Elements (2 weeks)

We identified the eight pillars necessary for goal achievement.

Layer 1 (8 Elements): 1. Quality improvement 2. Productivity enhancement 3. Cost reduction 4. Human resource development 5. Technology introduction 6. Sales channel expansion 7. Environmental conservation 8. Funding procurement

Phase 3: Expanding Layer 2's Concrete Actions (1 month)

We decomposed each element into 8 concrete actions.

Example: 8 Actions for "Quality Improvement" 1. Introduce soil analysis system (monthly pH and nutrient measurement) 2. Optimal harvest timing determination (utilizing ripeness sensors) 3. Codify grading standards (set size, color, sugar content standards) 4. Appoint quality control managers (1 per agricultural zone) 5. Establish traceability (digital recording of cultivation history) 6. Obtain organic certification (compliance with international certification standards) 7. Variety improvement program (develop climate-resilient varieties) 8. Regular quality evaluation (monthly quality score measurement)

Example: 8 Actions for "Technology Introduction" 1. Install IoT sensors (monitor temperature, humidity, soil moisture) 2. Introduce drones (efficient pesticide spraying and growth monitoring) 3. Automatic irrigation system (optimal water supply linked to weather data) 4. AI disease prediction (early detection through image analysis) 5. Trial harvest robots (addressing labor shortage) 6. Build data analysis platform (unified management of all data) 7. Hire technicians (2 IT/agricultural engineering specialists) 8. Set demonstration zone (pilot introduction in 100 hectares)

We applied this process to all 8 elements, extracting a total of 64 concrete actions.

Phase 4: Prioritization and Execution Plan (2 weeks)

We surveyed all 81 cells and prioritized based on the following criteria.

Prioritization Criteria: - Impact: Contribution to goal achievement - Feasibility: Technology, funding, human resources perspective - Interdependency: Prerequisite for other actions - Urgency: Time constraints

Phase 1 (0-6 months): Foundation Building 16 actions selected - Introduce soil analysis system - Appoint quality control managers - Install IoT sensors - Build data analysis platform - Hire technicians - Set demonstration zone - etc.

Phase 2 (6-18 months): Technology Deployment 24 actions executed

Phase 3 (18-36 months): Full Deployment Remaining 24 actions completed

Chapter Four: Toward New Technology Introduction - 81 Actions Begin Moving

Results After 12 Months:

Of the Mandala Chart's 64 actions, 28 were completed.

Quality Improvement Results: - Soil analysis: Implemented in 100 hectares, optimal fertilization improved quality 15% - Harvest timing optimization: Ripeness sensors reduced harvest loss 30% - Organic certification obtained: Acquired for 500 hectares, sales price +40% - Quality score: Average 72 → 86 points

Technology Introduction Results: - IoT sensors: Installed in 100-hectare demonstration zone, water usage reduced 35% - Drones: Pesticide spraying time reduced 70%, improved accuracy - Automatic irrigation: Confirmed 20% yield increase in demonstration zone - AI disease prediction: Early detection reduced damage 50%

Productivity Improvement: - Yield per hectare: 2.0 tons → 2.6 tons (+30%) - Labor hours: 30% reduction (mechanization/automation effect) - Harvest loss: 25% → 10% (quality control strengthening)

Management Indicators: - Annual revenue: $23M → $35M (+50%) - Operating profit margin: 8% → 22% (quality/productivity improvement) - Employee satisfaction: 3.2 → 4.5 (work environment improvement)

Employee Voices:

Quality Control Manager (38 years old): "With the Mandala Chart, 'quality improvement' was decomposed into 8 concrete actions. What to do became clear and easy to execute."

Technology Engineer (29 years old): "By seeing all 81 cells, I understand where my work fits in the whole. Coordination with other teams became easier too."

Chapter Five: The Detective's MANDALA Diagnosis - The Blueprint of Ideas

Holmes compiled the comprehensive analysis.

"Mr. Rodriguez, the essence of Mandala Charts is 'structured thinking.' Decompose a large goal into 8 elements, then decompose each element into 8 actions. Through this two-stage decomposition, abstract goals transform into 81 concrete actions. Mandala is a microcosm of the universe. Its structure transforms chaos into order."

Final Report After 24 Months:

AgriTech Colombia attracted attention as a smart agriculture model company in Latin America.

Final Results: - 58 of 64 actions completed (90% achievement rate) - Annual revenue: $23M → $57M (2.4x) - Operating profit margin: 8% → 28% - International agriculture award: Recognized as "sustainable agriculture model"

Carlos's letter contained deep gratitude:

"Through Mandala Charts, we transformed from 'bewildered management' to 'executors with a clear map.' What mattered most was decomposing the grand goal into 81 small actions. Each action was executable, and their accumulation led to goal achievement. Now whenever new challenges arise, we decompose them with Mandala Charts. It's become a thinking habit."

The Detective's Perspective - Structure Liberates Thought

That evening, I contemplated the structuring of thought.

The true value of Mandala Charts lies in the constraint of 9×9. Because there's a constraint, thought becomes organized. We get lost in infinite possibilities, but within the finite framework of 81 cells, we can think concretely.

Structure doesn't restrict thought. Structure liberates thought.

"Formless thoughts vanish like fog. Thoughts given form remain as crystals."

The next case will also depict the moment when structured thinking opens a company's future.

"Mandala isn't merely a diagram. It's an architecture of thought, magic that creates order from chaos." - From the Detective's Notes