1. A trade-off between a
problem and the side-effects
of its solution
side-effects
problem
minimum sum of
problem + side-effects
solution
‘The law of the
optimum
conservation of misery’ by Ton Noorhoff

2. A trade-off between a
problem and the side-effects
of its solution
• Concept by Ton Noorhoff
– We often notice that gradual
application of a solution does
decrease the problem, but
also causes increasing side-
effects that can become
side-effects
problem
worse than the problem. minimum sum of
problem + side-effects
– This explains the existence
of an partial solution that
minimizes the sum of solution
problem + side-effects. That ‘The law of the conservation
optimum
of misery’
is the optimum solution

3. A trade-off between a
problem and the side-effects
of its solution
• Examples by Ton Noorhoff
– Quality management
• Problem = (Cost of)
insufficient quality
• Solution = Quality
Management
side-effects
• Side-effects = Cost of Quality
problem
Management minimum sum of
problem + side-effects
– Security management
– A quality of life
• Problem = (Cost of) solution
criminality ‘The law of the conservation
optimum
of misery’
• Solution = Crime-fighting
• Side-effects = Cost of crime-
fighting