Approach to Problem Solving

Problem Solving
Problem solving begins not with facts but with structures i.e by defining the boundaries of the problem and breaking it into its component elements. This is called MECE Approach. (Splitting of the problem into mutually Exclusive and Completely Exhaustive elements).

Don’t try to re-invent the wheel. Taking all-or-nothing approach may not necessarily be the best way to create value. Your goal is to bring order out of chaos. Disregard un-important factors and prioritize the options available. Don’t slog but ‘work smart’ to get the work done!

Problem is not always what you think is the problem. You will do your client a service by getting to the real problem, even if, sometimes your client does n’t like it.

An initial hypothesis will make your decision making more effective : You should do a QDT (Quick and Dirty Test) of your hypothesis. QDT – What assumptions are you are making that need to be true in order for your hypothesis to be true? If any of these assumptions is false, then the hypothesis is false.

Put things on paper first – If you cannot put it on paper – then either you don’t have it clear in your head or its not a good idea. When facts contradicts the hypothesis, you should change your hypothesis and not suppress the facts. Data without intuition/ insight is mere ‘raw information’ and ‘intuition’ without ‘data’ is mere ‘guesswork’.

Don’t boil the ocean i.e don’t try to address too many things at a time. Work smarter, not harder. Forget about absolute precision because precision is very costly. 80/20 rule: 80% of the results is obtained by 20% of the efforts. We have to identify these 20% and assess whether the remaining 80% of effort is actually needed or not.

Brainstorming - There are no bad ideas. There are no dumb questions. Be prepared to see your ideas get shot down. Don’t let the brainstorming drag on past the point of diminishing return. Last and most important, get it down on paper.

Presentation: KISS Principle – Keep It Simple Sir. Presentation os a “killer skill” we take to the real world. Its almost an unfair advantage.

Buy-in: Prewire everything : Discussing results outside the context of large meeting rooms increases your chances of getting the decision makers buy your ideas. In intimacy of a one-one meeting you open up your thought process in a way that is difficult to do in a formal setting.

Managing Clients: Don’t overpromise because you are bound to underdeliver.

Managing Self: Strike a balance between work and personal life. If you want a life, lay down some rules. Perform sanity checks – “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Happiness!!

The moment one stops spending so much time chasing the big pleasues of life, one begins to enjoy the little ones. How can one do good when one does n’t even feel good? Success on outside means nothing unless you have success within.

Spend a little time with music everyday. No one should take life so seriously that they forget to laugh at themselves. What is the point in climbing steps of success when you have missed your child’s first step!!

Begin to live everyday as if it was your last.