Here’s the Key to Solving Difficult Problems
Finding great ideas by simplifying
My job was having a problem. Referrals for work came to my department through a specific process. Someone would input a ticket into a computer program, someone else would run a daily report and then put the tasks onto an Excel spreadsheet. Then we would check the spreadsheet and start on the work.
There was only one problem: tickets kept getting missed. Staff weren’t always inputting them correctly, they wouldn’t show up on the report, and things wouldn’t get done. Everyone was left scrambling — and mystified.
Recently, Inc described an effective approach to solving problems. When we encounter a problem, we often try to add steps to prevent it in the future. (In this case, by having a meeting going over the policy.) However, it’s far better to remove steps. By simplifying, and removing useless meetings or reports, we get more done.
Less chance for an error. Increased productivity.
When I need to rethink something, I go a step further. I ask myself, “If I had to design this from the ground up, having never seen it before, how would I do it?”
If you try it, you’ll often think of a much more direct way to get the task done.
