Keep asking the what else question until you find the correct definition of the problem.
The Definition Determines the SolutionWhichever of these answers that you decide upon—if it is the correct problem—requires a different, and sometimes a completely different,
solution. This is why it is so important that you test and validate your answer to be sure you are working on the right problem in the first place.
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HREE:
You ask, What is the solution to our problem Whatever
answer you come up with, you then ask, What else is the solution to our problem?”
Beware of a problem for which there is only one solution. There is a direct relationship between the number of possible solutions you develop and the quality of the final solution you settle upon. Very often, two unrealistic ideas combined could turnout to be one brilliant idea that changes the direction of your business.
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Once you have developed a wide
range of possible solutions, you must narrow them down and make a decision. Inmost cases,
any decision is better than no decision at all. If you cannot make a decision immediately, set a deadline by which you will make your decision and take action.
Steve
Jobs once said, Creative ideas come from connecting the dots in a different way Here is the key used by superior thinkers everywhere If you are struggling with a decision, collect more dots. Get more information.
Hire a consultant who specializes in this area. Don’t be cheap in collecting the best information possible. One new or unconsidered idea can make or save you a fortune.
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IVE:
Determine how you will measure the success of this decision.
Set clear measures and benchmarks. Quantify your desired results. The rule is this If you want to succeed in business, set measures for everything.
If you want to get rich, set financial measures for everything.”
Remember, if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. And what gets measured gets done.
STEPS IX:Assign responsibility for the project, task, or subtask to a specific person or persons.
Every product, service,
or project needs a champion, someone who is completely in charge of the project and whose personal success, pay, and promotion are determined or strongly affected by the results.
A major mistake that small and large companies make is that they agree on anew product or service idea,
or on a project of some kind, and then everyone goes back to work. No one is assigned specific responsibility for this project. It then becomes an orphan project in the company—
something that belongs to everyone and to no one. Don’t let this happen in your business.
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Set a deadline and sub-deadlines for completion. The more important the potential result, the more often and more accurately you must manage and measure progress. Inspect what you expect. What gets inspected gets done.
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Develop a Plan Ba fallback plan or an alternative in case your first solution does notwork for any reason. Fill out the “Disaster
Report.” Ask, What is the worst possible thing that could happen in this situation?”
The worst possible outcome is that it could fail completely, and all the time and money invested will be lost.
How could you minimize the possibilities of failure How could you maximize the possibilities of success What will you do if your solution doesn’t work?
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