Every problem – regardless of its size or simplicity – ejaculates an attached list of assumptions. Many a times, assumptions are imprecise and make the problem statement ineffective or erroneous.
To effectively deal with assumptions, first step is to write them down and the second step is to make sure that most obvious and safe assumptions are not left over.
Key here is to get everything out on the paper from your head as it just helps you visualize the bigger picture with multidimensional views.
Photo Credit: Orin Zebest's Flickr photostream
Once you’ve got everything out of your head, just loop through the list, take an assumption and validate it against the problem statement. Here’s a 5 step approach to deal with the select assumption.
- Analyze - Think inside the box. Connect with the obvious. Consider all the consequences that the select assumption offers. Consider how it relates with the problem in the traditional ways. Take the left side of your brain on the ride.
- Pause - Take a deep breath. Record your analysis and then disconnect with the obvious for a while.
- Unanlyze - Think outside of the box. Connect with the unobvious. Consider different ways to look at the assumption. May be this is one of the many possible ways to deal with a problem. Is the select assumption necessary at all? Is anything else out there which is being missed? Take the right side of your brain on the ride.
- Pause - Take two deep breaths. Record your unanalysis and then disconnect with the unobvious also.
- Reanalyze - Review your analysis and unanalysis. Consider the obvious and unobvious. Consider both of them with 100% of your attention. Which one way seems the most appropriate way to proceed?
This process essentially brings vital clarity to the problem. Many times, the unanalysis part brings forth surprising results which are not thought of otherwise.
For example suppose you’re about to enter a website development business. One of your assumptions might be to have a huge list of service offerings – like most of other such companies do.
While such assumption may seem appropriate at first, try challenging it and maybe you’ll find some interesting business models – such as a “Make your own Pizza” kind of web design firm in which their customers bring ideas for the web-architects to craft and build upon – something which matters to the customers.
Power Questions: When you deal with a problem, do you attack it with the power of unanalysis also? If not, would you, now?
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