5 Questions toUnderstand the Great Idea

Question 1 - What is the problem that the idea needs to fix?

Is the idea to take advantage of a new opportunity? If so then the aim is find why the organisation is not able to do so.

This is a high level statement and does not include too much detail.

Question 2 – What is the impact of the problem?

This question helps improve understanding about the size and scale of the problem.

By doing this there is an appreciation for how great an idea it is.

Question 3 – Who does the problem affect?

For example is the problem affecting staff, existing customers or new customers?

Understanding who will help shape the successful outcome.

Question 4 - What would a successful outcome look like?

Often when people have a great idea they also have an idea of what the finished product will look like.

By understanding what they have in mind is a great way to understand the idea.

Question 5 – What is the benefit?

The last question is about what benefit the idea would bring.

Knowing that for example it would save staff time so they can do other things will bring the idea to life.

Giving something a purpose and why it is worth doing gives motivation to do the idea.

5 Questions to Understand the Great Idea

Question 1 - What is the problem that the idea needs to fix?

Question 2 – What is the impact of the problem?

Question 3 – Who does the problem affect?

Question 4 - What would a successful outcome look like?

Question 5 – What is the benefit?

8 Steps fromIdea to Solution Design

Step 1 – Describe the solution

The first step is to describe what the proposed solution is and how it will solve the problem.

Step 2 – Draw the solutionThe saying that a picture paints a thousand words is so true.

This step is a drawing of the proposed solution option.

In the same way an architect produces a drawing of how a proposed new house will look.

The drawing could be anything that helps understand what the proposed solution is.

Step 3 – Cost

With the solution described and drawn the third step is to state how much it will cost.

The cost split is into both one off expenditure and any recurring payments

Step 4 – ImpactThe fourth step is focusing on completion of the solution.

The purpose of this step is to give advance notice to get ready for the solution.

For example is a change to existing business processes needed. Would any current job roles need to change? Is there any staff recruitment required?

Step 5 – Issues and Risks

This step is looking at the implementation of the solution.

Is there any potential problems to resolve first?

For example is another piece of work needed first? If it is not done then will it cause the proposed solution a problem?

Step 6 – Pros and Cons

Step six is all about what the pros and cons are for solution option.

Also if this is the recommended option included is the reasons why it is the best option.

Step 7 – EffortA bit of guesswork comes with step 7 as this is about how much effort to put in place the solution.

As this is very early in the project added to the total is a 20% contingency.

For example if the proposed solution is to take 4 days then the stated effort is 5 days. The purpose of this estimate is not for planning purposes but used as a guide for which solution to choose.

Step 8 - RecommendationThe final step is only done if there is more than one solution option.

The step is like an executive summary of the recommended solution.

This step includes a brief description along with the total cost and effort. Then finally why it is the recommended solution.

8 Steps from Idea to Solution Design

Step 1 – Describe the solution

Step 2 – Draw the solution

Step 3 – Cost

Step 4 – Impact

Step 5 – Issues and Risks

Step 6 – Pros and Cons

Step 7 – Effort

Step 8 - Recommendation

ProjectNewsToday.comBy Barry Hodge