Loud Thinking April 02, 2014 at 02:08PM

Don’t Make This Common Problem-Solving Mistake

Too often, project managers leap to solutions before taking time to completely understand the problem that needs solving. Defining the problem is a critical first step; if you fail to do this, you risk designing a solution that doesn’t address what users need or want — or one that does far more than required. Either way, you’re wasting time and money. To focus your efforts on truly understanding the issue, answer:
What problem do people think this project will address? Why do they see this as something that needs solving?
Who has a stake in the outcome? Do all stakeholders have the same goal, or do their goals differ?
What criteria will people use to judge this project’s success?

Adapted by HBR from Managing Projects (20-Minute Manager Series).

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