The most difficult, and arguably, most important step in any project is Problem Definition.
It is difficult to overstate how important it is to get this first step right. Without being clear about what we are trying to achieve it is almost impossible to have a successful outcome.
Take the simple example of my wife asking for a hammer. Obviously, the problem at hand is not the lack of a hammer as such – my wife does not particular car about hammers, or spanners or any other tools, for that matter. It is the anticipated use the hammer will be put to that needs to be examined. Is she aiming to build a timber-framed house? In which case a pneumatic framing gun would probably be more appropriate. Is she aiming to hang a picture? We live in double-brick house, and hence a masonry plug would probably be more appropriate. Or maybe she is aiming to re-attach the kitchen drawer fronts? In which case a couple of screws is what is required. The point is, without knowing the problem at hand, it is hard to know if the requested tool is appropriate or even sensible.
Similarly, people often want to see their data mapped. Unfortunately, a map in-itself is not a solution. It’s a picture. And it may be worth a thousand words, but it’s still a picture and not a solution to a problem. Digging a bit deeper we may find that what is really required is the optimal route between two points. In which case the map would simply be a means of depicting the solution. But what defines optimal? The shortest distance, the quickest, the cheapest (i.e. avoid toll roads), by car, by foot, by bike? And why do they even want to know the optimum route. Are they planning to travel that route? In most cases, the drive itself is not the purpose of the exercise. So why do they want to travel there. Are they planning to deliver a parcel – maybe sending it would be quicker and cheaper. Are they going to a meeting – mabye a teleconference is all that is required? We must go down the rabbit hole if we are to find the right solution and not just a quick answer.
That is to say, users often ask for tools when all they really want, or need, is answers. And a lot of time, energy and money can be wasted building tools that are not needed. Lavykim Australia can work with you on defining the problem and help you find the best solution.
The crux of the problem is defining the problem. Or, as I say to my wife, don’t ask me for a hammer, just tell me what you want fixed.