Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

New problem? Need a new solution. First, try the simplest thing.

It happened again at work the other day. We have a new problem (new day, new problem). We need a new solution. What will we do? Hmmm, there are so many options. Each option with its good things and bad things and … gosh this gets complicated quickly. Let’s make a matrix, hold a conference, maybe a seminar before the conference to learn the latest tools and techniques, then maybe in a few months we can do something that will last for ages and withstand all the slings and arrows that those who hurl slings and arrows can withstand and … have I lost track of where I am in this sentence?

Let’s step back for a second or moment or something. Let’s try something simple. Actually, let’s try one of the simplest things that come to mind.

How about a clipboard with a few pieces of blank paper and a pencil (attached with a string of course so we will always have the pencil ready)?

Don’t want that simple? Okay, how about a Word document or Google Docs thing? Most folks have access to those things. We can share them and collaborate and all that goodness we learned during the work-from-home pandemic. Yes, how about that?

With a simple thing, we can learn a few things about our problem and our “permanent” solution. Hmmm, that sounds ominous—permanent solution. That implies the problem is “permanent.” If we solve the problem, won’t it go away and not be permanent? Perhaps, but I digress.

See, trying a simple or simplest solution allows me to pause and consider the relationships among problem, solution, time, permanence, etc. All the while, I have a solution that helps me do what I am trying to do.

There are many good things about the simplest solution. One, it is quick. Here, I have a solution right now. It is flexible. Here, I have changed my mind and moved to another solution. It is cheap. Here, I already own all the tools and I didn’t spend much time on this.

If we are trying to solve a problem, let’s do the simplest thing first.