GUEST POST from Mike Shipulski

What do we do next? I don’t know

• What has been done before?
• What does it do now?
• What does it want to do next?
• If it does that, who cares?

Why should we do it? I don’t know.

• Will it increase the top line? If not, do something else.
• Will it increase the bottom line? If so, let someone else do it.
• What’s the business objective?

Who will buy it? I don’t know.

• • How will you find out?
  • What does it look like when you know they’ll buy it?
  • Why do you think it’s okay to do the work before you know they’ll buy it?

What problem must be solved? I don’t know.

• • • How will you define the problem?
    • Why do you think it’s okay to solve the problem before defining it?
    • Why do you insist on solving the wrong problem? Don’t you know that ready, fire, aim is bad for your career?
    • Where’s the functional coupling? When will you learn about Axiomatic Design?
    • Where is the problem? Between which two system elements?
    • When does the problem happen? Before what? During what? After what?
    • Will you separate in time or space?
    • When will you learn about TRIZ?

Who wants you to do it? I don’t know.

• • • How will you find out?
    • When will you read all the operating plans?
    • Why do you think it’s okay to start the work before knowing this?

Who doesn’t want you to do it? I don’t know.

• • • How will you find out?
    • Who looks bad if this works?
    • Who is threatened by the work?
    • Why do you think it’s okay to start the work before knowing this?

What does it look like when it’s done? I don’t know.

Why do you think it’s okay to start the work before knowing this?

What do you need to be successful? I don’t know.

Why do you think it’s okay to start the work before knowing this?

Starting is essential, but getting ready to start is even more so.

Image credit: misterinnovation.com

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