Successful projects develop a clear, informed understanding of the goal

People often begin a project assuming they need a solution, but without acutally understanding the goal. Understanding the goal depends first on understanding the actual problem.

Projects are often started by jumping straight to a solution, even a specific technology. That’s the wrong place to begin. You want to start by asking questions and considering alternatives. At the outset, always assume that there is more to learn. Start with the most basic question of all: Why? … At the beginning of a project, we need to disrupt the psychology-driven dash to a premature conclusion by disentangling means and ends and thinking carefully about what exactly we want to accomplish. … Developing a clear, informed understanding of what the goal is and why—and never losing sight of it from beginning to end—is the foundation of a successful project.^[1]

#innovation #management #effectiveness

See also:

• Design thinking seeks to discover and solve the actual problem
• Double diamond implements design thinking
• Three questions form the essence of innovation
• Backcasting works backward from a desired outcome