Sins of Solutions

Compiled by Peter/CXO, Wiz4.biz 4/13

Throw out traditional thinking to come up with creative, innovative solutions !!!

1. Short-Cutting. Don’t jump to conclusions (unless you get no other exercise), that you have the “right” solution, when you first see the problem. Collect sufficient evidence about the problem, so you thoroughly understand it. If you have a possible solution, dig deeper into the problem, to make sure it solves the root cause & most of the other causes. What are the consequences of your solution? Evaluate how your solution resolves, each significant concern. If it’s not perfect, adjust it so that you have the “best” possible solution.

2. Those dumb “Blind Spots”. What are the assumptions, biases & mind-sets that you can’t see thru, around? Have knowledgeable others review your solution to avoid “your” Blind Spots.

3. Not Invented Here. Your pride may prevent you from considering all the possible solutions – especially some you didn’t create – from others in your organization or outside. Bill Gates started MicroSoft with a SW program he bought and tailored it to his solution. Even if you don’t use all of “their” solution, maybe parts of it will be good for “your” solution.

4. Satis-ficing is sacrificing Satisfaction for an expedient solution. Are you creating a quick & easy solution vs the ideal one? It may work in the short term, but don’t you want to solve the problem once & for all time?

5. Down-Grading the possible solution, is similar to satis-ficing, but it is a formal revision of the goal. Why would you do that? You know you can’t fail on the short solution, but you’ll short-change yourself & the organization (if you don’t try), on the super, superior solution. Go long, catch the pass & score the Touchdown !!! If you win, you’re a hero. If you lose, don’t feel like a zero. “Begin again, schmarter” said Edison about 1000 tries on the light bulb.

6. Complicating the Solution. Guard against creating too many functions of the solution that don’t really add that much “value”. Do you really need all those “bells & whistles” or should you keep it Simple Simon? Traditional human behavior is preparing, accumulating & collecting of possible solutions – so we wont run out. That is a thinking limitation. How can you solve the problem in the simplest way, so that it is easier to use? That will sell more of your product !!!

7. Stifling, Dismissing, not considering your own or others possible solutions as sufficient. Keep your mind open to all solutions and adapt the best part of each.

Monitor each of your significant Solutions against these 7 Sins (if you’re Sin-cere), at each milestone of the solution. Then you’ve confirmed you’re on the right Track or may need to adjust your goals.

Comments: What do you think? Can you come up with a 8th Sin, or 9th & 10th ?