Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

There is the thing we are attempting and the way we are attempting it. Using this perspective, there are four cases to consider.

Wrong Thing – Wrong Way: Here we chose the wrong problem to solve and the wrong process to solve it. Aargh. We will work very hard with grievous vexation every day. Eventually, we will declare victory, but nothing will happen because we accomplished something that no one wants.

Wrong Thing – Right Way: We chose the wrong problem, but chose the right process to solve it. Things go well every day. We are elated when we finish but terribly deflated when we notice that no one cares. Actually, everyone else questions why we wasted so much effort on such a meaningless thing.

Right Thing – Wrong Way: We choose a worthwhile problem, but choose the wrong process to solve it. Back to the daily grievous vexation. At least when we finish some one appreciates us.

Right Thing – Right Way: We choose a worthwhile problem and approach it with the correct process. The work proceeds smoothly and people appreciate what we produce. I suppose this case occurs about 5% of the time.

My Advice: Think about what we do and how we do it before we spend more than 15 minutes working on it.