Innovation strategy: Are you solving the real problem?
It’s been said that a problem well defined is a problem half solved.
Conversely, an ill-defined problem is, well, a much bigger problem. Here’s some valuable advice on how to clearly and accurately define the problem or challenge you’re facing:
“Great innovators redefine the problem or look at the problem situation from different vantage points in the process of identifying their breakthroughs. Take time to investigate what might be the REAL problem before you start to brainstorm solutions. Here are five methods to consider:
1. Begin by identifying the problem at the BIG picture level. Write this problem at the top of your page and then using branches, move down the page to identify the mid-level and lower level elements of the problem. This will help you see the connections and also areas where improvements can be made.
2. Identify the key drivers of the problem. With so much data and so many directions to go in, it is best to focus on the factors that are most influencing the problem — the old 80/20 rule. Focus on what drives the 80% part of your problem.
3. Form a hypothesis as to what the problem might be and then check your facts against this hypothesis. This saves time and also saves you from “wandering around in a sea of data.”
4. Look at the problem from a systems thinking point of view — what happens before the problem occurs (possibly the causes of the problem) and what happens as a result of the problem?
5. Redefine your original problem in 10 different statements. This will force you to consider different angles of the problem.”
Source: Innovation Weblog.
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