Tips for Finding Simple Solutions to Complex Problems

During my time as a Navy SEAL, precision and thorough analysis were not just practices but NECESSITIES! The "Five Whys" method exemplifies this approach outside the battlefield, presenting a clear path to problem-solving. Here's how it worked for the Lincoln Memorial's unexpected challenge: 1️⃣ Why is the memorial dirty?Because of bird droppings. 2️⃣ Why are there bird droppings?Birds are attracted to the area. 3️⃣ Why are birds attracted? They eat the spiders there. 4️⃣ Why are there spiders? Spiders eat the insects 5️⃣ Why are there insects? They're attracted to the lights left on at night. The solution? Adjust the lighting to reduce the insects to deter the spiders and birds, directly addressing the root of the cleanliness issue. This method isn't just for maintaining national monuments; it's a powerful tool for any leader or problem-solver in any field. The next time you're faced with a challenge, I urge you to employ the "Five Whys." Get deep. Understand the problem fully before jumping to solutions. By sharing this method, you're not just passing along a problem-solving tool; you're empowering others to think critically and act decisively. Be the one to inspire change, to lead by example.

What are the "5 Whys?" And how does a simple question solve problems? TL;DR: When a serious problem arises, you ask "why" five times to reveal the root cause, unraveling layer upon layer until the core is exposed. Although a relatively simple technique to understand and employ, the "5 Whys" provides us with the chance to discover new and powerful solutions. It pushes us to go deeper when solving problems, rather than accept the first or second idea. For example, let's say an important client recently churned: Q1: Why did client A churn? A1: The client didn't feel enough value was gained. Q2: Why wasn't there enough value? A2: The client didn't consistently use the product. Q3: Why didn't the client use the product consistently? A3: The client missed key milestones during the onboarding process. Q4: Why did the client miss these milestones? A4: The client declined onboarding training. Q5: Why did the client decline onboarding training? A5: The client said it was too costly. By using this technique, the team better understands the cause of the churn. Going forward, solutions might be to offer onboarding for free because it's more costly to lose the customer than to provide training. Or it might be to offer some kind of tiered training, with a digital or 1:many option available for smaller clients. Or it might be to build in-product solutions such as popups or tutorials, thus eliminating altogether the need for costly training. The "5 Whys" serves as an indispensable tool that I have used for targeted problem resolution. Complex problems can be dismantled, and the deep dive reduces the likelihood of acting on the wrong conclusions. PS. What other problem-solving techniques do you use? 🔔 Follow Chris Cotter for more on #leadership.

I feel like I've started to sound like a broken record, continually telling folks to solve for the problem, not the discomfort.  What do I mean by that? Not everyone sits in a role or team that can see the "big picture" or the dependencies involved around an issue. It's our job to gather business requirements and conduct root cause analysis to determine what the right solution for the business problem is.  Remember, we barely have enough time to do it once, let alone have to go back and redo a second or third time because we solved for the discomfort instead of the problem. With that in mind, here are my 5 reasons you need to know the problem to solve it: 1) Avoid Ineffective Solutions: Jumping straight to a solution without fully understanding the root causes of the problem can lead to ineffective or incomplete solutions. The solution may address surface-level symptoms but fail to resolve the underlying issues. 2) Align Perspectives: Different stakeholders might have varying views on the core problem. By exploring the problem collaboratively first, you can get alignment on the true nature of the challenge before proposing solutions. 3) Encourage Creativity: Coming with a preconceived solution can limit your thinking and blind you to better alternatives. An open exploration of the problem fosters a creative environment where more innovative and effective ideas can emerge. 4) Avoid Overconfidence: Proposing a solution before understanding the problem comes across as presumptuous. It signals you may not fully appreciate the nuances and complexities involved from others' viewpoints, causing defensiveness and resistance. 5) Build Stakeholder Buy-In: Defining the problem collaboratively ensures stakeholders feel heard and involved. They are more likely to support solutions they helped shape from the outset. #ProcessImprovement #LearningAndDevelopment #BusinessRequirements #CriticalThinking

“What is the problem statement?” - Based on my experience the key to properly solving a problem is to truly understand what exactly the issue is. This could appear obvious, however, for some organizations it is very difficult to master. Using a customer quality concern as an example, by utilizing a systematic approach to problem solving the following are a few things to consider: 1. Ensure that all relevant information is available for the team to consider – this is extremely important   -  Engage your customer and if necessary the supplier in the initial phases of the investigation/data collection 2. Properly contain the issue: - Too often team members will overreact and begin taking what is believed to be an effective containment action to later discover that it was not which amplifies costs and customer dissatisfaction - It is however, very critical to work with speed during the initial phases to minimize exposure 3. Internally establish a cross functional team with a project leader. Problem solving can’t be left up to one department or person  4. Go to the “Gemba” where the work is done. Problems can’t always be solved or attempted to be solved in a conference room 5. With the right data, people, process (e.g. 8D) and facilitation of meetings the permanent corrective actions will follow. Trust the process but be relentless through it 6. Follow up, follow up, follow up – changes made from the corrective action should be inspected multiple times until confidence is established through a sustained duration Finally, this does not pertain to only customer, supplier or manufacturing process issues. TRY IT – the next time you are having an internal meeting to discuss a “problem” of any type be a demanding partner and ask “What problem are we trying to solve?” – it’s amazing the difference of opinions that will surface and align everyone to a common goal. As always thanks for the comments and IM’s to my posts and feel free to reach out. Darren

"The most complicated skill is to be simple" At its core, simplicity is the distillation of complexity. It's the process of peeling back layers of unnecessary procedures, tools, and thoughts to reveal the most straightforward path to achieving a goal. Why simplicity matters Simplicity is the key to focus. In a landscape filled with distractions, the ability to simplify allows individuals to hone in on what's essential, reducing stress and enhancing decision-making. For organizations, simplicity can lead to increased efficiency, clearer communication, and more agile responses to challenges. The challenge of being simple Achieving simplicity is no easy feat. It requires a deep understanding of the underlying complexities of a task or problem. You must be able to discern which elements are essential and which are superfluous. This skill is cultivated over time through experience, reflection, and a deliberate effort to streamline thoughts and actions. Practical steps towards simplicity 1. Identify the core: What is the fundamental goal or purpose of your task? Understanding this can guide you in eliminating extraneous elements. 2. Reduce before adding: Before introducing new processes or tools, see if existing ones can be removed or optimized. 3. Embrace constraints: Limitations can foster creativity and force a focus on what's truly important. 4. Simplify communication: Be clear and concise. Over-explanation can lead to confusion and inefficiency. 5. Automate and delegate: Use technology to handle repetitive tasks and delegate when appropriate to focus on high-value activities. Conclusion The journey towards simplicity begins with a commitment to understanding the complexities that define our tasks and lives. By embracing the principles of simplicity, we can uncover the most direct and effective paths to our goals. The most complicated skill is to be simple, yet it's also the most rewarding. Illustrated by drex.dsgn #productivity #motivation #work #growth

Why Complex Problems Demand Simple Solutions: A Fresh Perspective on Navigating the Business Maze Yes, within a complex system, it is possible to find or design relatively simple solutions. Even in intricate and interconnected systems, there may be straightforward or elegant approaches to address specific issues or achieve desired outcomes. Here are a few key points: Emergence of Simple Solutions: Emergent properties often arise from the interactions of simpler components. Sometimes, addressing a specific new and emerging aspect leads to a relatively simple solution significantly impacting system behavior. Identifying Key Leverage Points: Every system has key leverage points. Our brains are complex systems, yet our eyes and ears represent two examples of key leverage points. Interventions lead to outsized effects. Identifying and targeting these points can result in simple, powerful solutions. Reduction and Abstraction: Systems are collections of interacting components. Observing a complex system as constituent parts and understanding the relationships, it's possible to develop simplified models. Designing solutions for the components can contribute to changes. Focused Problem-Solving: Instead of attempting to address the entire complexity at once, focusing on specific, well-defined problems can lead to more straightforward solutions. Common human experiential colloquialisms include - the longest trip begins with a single step or eat a large meal one bite at a time. I subtly addressed a complex problem in my last phrase. The last phrase is more typically “eat an elephant one bite at a time.” Globally elephant harvesting is a complex social issue. I made my point by choosing “large meal" or a simple solution injected into a component of a complex discussion. Adaptability and Feedback Loops: Working with systems be they simple, complicated, or complex require feedback loops. Complex systems involve creating adaptive feedback loop strategies. These solutions may not be static and evolve over time based on the system's responses. Essentially, this is how AI works and why an answer in ChatGPT from March may differ from November. What is more important is to understand simple solutions are effective in certain contexts, even when they are not universally applicable. The key is to understand the nature of the specific problem within the complex system and tailor solutions accordingly. Simplicity in design or implementation can contribute to the robustness and sustainability of solutions within dynamic and evolving systems. One can understand a system is complex; in fact to derive a simple solution, a core understanding of complexity is important. In closing, understanding complexity does not require an intellectual trinity of the Tower of Babble, the All-Seeing-Eye, and the Oracle of Delphi. Step back; breathe; step forward and start your journey. #business #complexity #simplicity #innovation 

Complex solutions aren't always better. But simplicity requires understanding deep customer needs. How to simplify your solution in 3 steps. Step 1: Define Your Niche 1. Identify the Customer - Know who you're serving. 2. Understand Their Problem - Pinpoint what issue you're solving. 3. Propose Your Solution - Conceptualize how you'll address their need. Your solution isn't about the product at first but about how you plan to solve the customer's problem. For example, if Charles’ facial hair is causing friction in his relationship with his girlfriend, solutions might range from shaving products to relationship advice (get a new girlfriend), depending on how you want to solve his problem. Step 2: Curate Existing Solutions Before creating something new, explore what's already out there. This step involves: - Researching current market solutions. - Sharing findings with your potential customers to gauge interest and identify gaps. Examples: - Shaving: Discuss shave clubs, razor types, and user reviews. - Electrolysis: Detail the procedure, costs, and reviews. - Beard Care: Highlight grooming products, styles, and maintenance tips. - Relationship Advice: Offer guidance on navigating relationship dynamics. This also helps attract the ideal audience to you. Step 3: Test Your Solution Find the simplest way to test your solution with an individual. This could be: - Shaving: Launching a shave club with curated products by going to the store and post office. - Electrolysis: Researching and recommending the best local providers. - Beard Care: Creating and selling a guide (several blog posts put together) based on personal research. - Relationship Advice: Providing break up and hook up coaching sessions via zoom. Key Takeaway: Your MVP doesn't require a hefty investment in websites or technology; just a bit of creativity, effort, and minimal resources. Focus on delivering value to one person at a time, and use the feedback to refine your approach. This hands-on process not only validates your idea but also builds a direct connection with your target audience, setting the foundation for a scalable solution.