I work in an organization with a strong management consulting culture and one of the popular metaphors that people like to use is that we/they are "building the plane while flying it." The saying is used in situations where one is conducting strategic planning while also executing an existing strategy. I'm a big fan of metaphors and, like George Lakoff, I believing they frame how we think about problems in important ways. I'd like to find a different metaphor for this situation that maps to something that, while complex, is actually possible. I've heard the phrase "feed two birds with one scone" used to replace "kill two birds with one stone." Is there a similar way to reframe the "building the plane while flying it" metaphor? Extra points for something with an optimistic tone.
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2What's wrong with "building the plane while flying it"? You write, "I'd like to find a different metaphor for this situation that maps to something that, while complex, is actually possible"—why doesn't the metaphor "building the plane while flying it" work here?user499756– user4997562025-06-05 04:34:51 +00:00Commented Jun 5 at 4:34
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3"making it up as you go along" is the usual idiom. I'm sure it's possible to reframe "building the plane while flying it" ("painting the bus while driving it" would be slightly less dangerous), but if it's not a common phrase or saying it's off-topic.Stuart F– Stuart F2025-06-05 09:18:46 +00:00Commented Jun 5 at 9:18
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1There's "rebuilding the boat while sailing it" which is the formulation I first heard. But that's sort of the difference between Tweedledum and Tweedledee.user888379– user8883792025-06-05 11:41:17 +00:00Commented Jun 5 at 11:41
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1@user888379, the metaphor of rebuilding the boat while sailing (known as Neurath's boat in philosophical literature) is well known, but the body of the question is less than clear on whether that is what is intended. Note that the question is about 'building' rather than rebuilding.jsw29– jsw292025-06-05 15:04:46 +00:00Commented Jun 5 at 15:04
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2So you're looking for a metaphor that expresses what exactly? That the notion one could make major changes to a mission-critical system while it is in use is expecting pie in the sky? Or that there must be a lot more thought and planning devoted to keeping the present system functionality operational even as parts of the system would be replaced?TimR– TimR2025-06-05 17:31:17 +00:00Commented Jun 5 at 17:31
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1 Answer
"Changing horses midstream" is often used to describe a situation in which one is making complex changes to approach for an effort that is already underway. This might be one option. It's difficult, but possible.
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Your answer could be improved with additional supporting information. Please edit to add further details, such as citations or documentation, so that others can confirm that your answer is correct. You can find more information on how to write good answers in the help center.2025-06-06 02:51:55 +00:00Commented Jun 6 at 2:51