The Four Thinking Steps to identify the optimum (and usually the simplest) solution.

By Tony Slimmings

How many times do we find ourselves looking at the ‘obvious’ answer to an initially impossible or difficult problem and thinking why did we not see this answer previously? 

I am a huge admirer of the work of Eliyahu Goldratt (author of The Goal and creator of the Theory of Constraints approach) and my four thinking steps draw on his thinking.  

Step one - Believe in inherent simplicity. In truth most solutions are simple once they are visible. Indeed, to quote Isaac Newton: ‘Truth is ever to be found in the simplicity’. 

So, if the great Isaac Newton believes in simple truths then, as Mr Goldratt, I am quite comfortable in starting with step one to solving problems being to believe in inherent simplicity! 

Step two – Start with the assumption that every undesirable effect, conflict or contradiction can be solved. This is a hard step for many but without it nobody would bother looking for solutions! Indeed in 1895 the acclaimed physicist Lord Kelvin claimed that heavier than air (manned) flight was impossible. 8 years later the Wright brothers proved him wrong! 

Step three – Don’t blame others or use ‘cover all’ statements and tautologies to camouflage problems. ‘People do not ‘all’ resist change’. ‘Many older people ‘can’ learn new tricks’ and to quote George W Bush – ‘it's no exaggeration to say that the undecideds could go one way or the other’. 

Step four – Don’t think you know! In other words, just because experts believe we have found the optimum solution to the problem it is highly likely that a significantly better one is still just around the corner! Remember how the world greeted the invention of the incandescent light bulb around 150 years ago and then consider that the modern LED bulb uses 90% less energy and lasts 25 times longer! That is not a bad improvement.. 

So, to summarize –  

• assume you and everyone else is over complicating the ‘problem’ 
• assume the other person is right 
• assume that things and situations can always be significantly improved 
• assume we still have much to learn about anything and everything, including what we perceive as our area of expertise 
• assume our preconceptions and opinions are wrong 
• assume if you or someone use the word ‘because’ to describe an effect what follows is wrong 
• Or, assume our assumptions are wrong!