Understand the problem before trying to solve it Source: kirtaph
Unfortunately, lots of us work on things that take hours for little reward. Sometimes we miss the mark completely. You can plan, mindmap, plan some more, hold meetings, work hard and still deliver a poor result.
Effective action delivers the desired result. To do this, your project needs to start in the right way. The key to this:
Don’t solve the problem too soon.
We look almost exclusively at the solution rather than the problem. It’s easy for us to get excited about what solutions we can provide without a proper understanding of what is required. Resist the temptation to start thinking about the solution and get a comprehensive understanding.
There are a number of reasons for doing this:
- Fully appreciating the needs of the project
If you can’t understand why you are solving the problem, you won’t provide a good solution. If your client can’t understand what you are providing or how it helps him, he’s not going to pay for it.
It’s easy to jump to conclusions and not listen to what the problem is. You’ll often hear what someone wants and not the root cause for the dilemma. Explore the malady before prescribing a cure-all or a solution you’ve seen work elsewhere. Go back to the basics. Think of it as you being a customer; there’s nothing worse than someone half hearing your problem and deciding what you need without really listening.
- Getting to the bottom of the problem
It’s not easy working out the fundamentals of the problem. In my experience as an Engineer, I find it amazing how often people just buy a new part for a machine every 6 months rather than spend the time working out why the machine breaks down so often.
Another interesting point is that sometimes it is difficult to admit what the real problem is. I buy a new pair of soccer boots expecting them to help me play like Ronaldinho – but really – it’s all skill (that I don’t have!). You might have to get someone to confide in you, or you might need to take a hard look in the mirror at what is really your problem.
- Providing real value
If you can show how your solution will provide real value by solving a problem, the costs for fixing that problem are forgotten. People will buy your book when they believe it will help them or be of interest for them. They buy a subscription to your website if they think it can help them solve a problem.
The best way I know to get the most out of your project is to talk to whoever really needs the problem fixed. Speak to them before trying to apply a solution. Ponder how other people discover the need and how you can solve the frustration.
Keep the problem firmly in your sights and ensure your project starts on the mark.
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