The importance of falling in love with the problem, not the solution
Introduction
The world of innovation is often described in terms of big ideas, breakthroughs, and game-changing technologies. But the truth is that many of these “breakthroughs” never actually occur. They’re simply an idea or solution to one person’s problem — and they don’t solve anything for anyone other than that initial user.
Don’t focus on the solution, focus on the problem.
In the business world, it’s common to have problems that are obvious and easy to solve. There’s a solution out there that any reasonable person can find. The problem is not knowing what the solution is; it’s finding a way to get there.
If you focus on the solution first, it can be discouraging when you realize that your idea isn’t as perfect as you had hoped or that someone else has already thought of it before you did. But if we focus our energy on solving problems instead of finding solutions, we’ll be much more likely to succeed because we’re starting from scratch — not building on someone else’s work
You will never be able to solve a problem with the same mindset that created it.
You will never be able to solve a problem with the same mindset that created it. In order to solve the problems we face, we have to work on understanding them.
- Start by defining what the real problem is, and don’t stop until you find it! If you’re not sure where to look, think about whether there are any underlying causes of your issue that are left unaddressed.
- Once you’ve identified the true cause of your problem, think about how it could be resolved through different approaches. What else can be done? Do these solutions require additional resources or funding? If so, then ask yourself whether these costs are worth paying for results that would be better than what we currently have at hand (e.g., “If I had one hundred more people working on this project full time for two years straight without any pay raises or promotions coming from above…”). Remember: if there were already easy answers available somewhere out there in cyberspace but nobody bothered implementing them because they weren’t profitable enough yet; then maybe those same answers aren’t going anywhere anytime soon either!
Innovation is often fueled by frustration.
They say that adversity is the mother of invention, well often frustration is the father of innovation. When you’re dealing with a problem, and you’ve found yourself at a dead end if you can find a way to frame that frustration as something positive — a challenge or an opportunity — it’s easier to take action and come up with ideas.
The first step in approaching innovation is understanding your own frustrations: what they are, why they frustrate you, and how they relate to other problems in your life (or the world). And once you’ve identified those things that frustrate or anger you most deeply, it’s time to start asking questions about them. What could be changed? How could someone else fix this problem? Why hasn’t anyone done anything about it yet?
The big idea that solves the problem quickly may come from anyone in the room (and may even already exist).
The big idea that solves the problem quickly may come from anyone in the room (and may even already exist).
The solution to many problems is more often found by looking at the problem differently. A new lens can reveal something that has been overlooked, or simply allow us to see what’s already there but was previously unrecognized. The solution can be a combination of ideas from different people — a collaborative effort over time or through brainstorming sessions — or it can be one person’s vision alone, but inspired by other people’s input and experience.
Focusing on people and needs is more important than focusing on technology and solutions.
For example, if you’re working on a problem that involves improving patient health, it’s important not to focus on the solution (e.g., technology) but rather on the people who need it and why they need it.
Focusing on people and needs is more important than focusing on technology and solutions. The reason for this is simple: problems do not have solutions; only solutions have problems! As such, it must be understood that every social program or project has three separate elements:
- Problem — The underlying situation that triggers action;
- Solution — A proposed method of managing the problem or creating new options within an existing system or process;
- Process — How we go about solving our problems in a way that creates lasting change.
Conclusion
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most: the people we serve. Focusing on the problem will help you keep your eye on the ball, and make sure that your efforts aren’t going towards a solution that isn’t really needed in the first place. In some cases, it may even lead you to discover a new solution altogether!
