Approach 10: Entirely New Solution



R.P. Churchill, CBAP, PMP, CSPO, CSM, CSD

Approach 10: Entirely New Solution


The Basics

     

This is a combination of other concepts that result in doing something an entirely different way.

Identification of such solutions can arise through sudden, serendipitous insights, but those are rare and shouldn't be relied upon. If you're going to look for entirely new approaches, you should be prepared to perform a very thorough, purposeful, organized analysis that looks at every aspect of the problem from every angle. There are some formal ways to do this (e.g., UML, which need not apply only to IT systems), but anyone can be thorough.

As mentioned in the idea of the Big Kill, you may have to reframe the problem and cut through to its core essence. You should probably also proceed from the inside out, and reconsider what the core product or benefit you're providing is. (Xerox famously reframed their value proposition from making copiers to managing documents in general. OTOH, they also didn't see the utility of the computer GUI they invented.)

Approach 10: Entirely New Solution


Examples

In place of performing numerous cutting and machining operations on a basic shape, 3D print a part directly in its final form.

Netflix changed from mailing physical DVDs to streaming movies over the internet.

Airbnb leveraged the internet to allow people to rent local houses and apartments rather than stay in hotels. The same innovation allowed companies like Uber and Lyft to replace centralized and licensed taxicab companies.

Companies like Mapquest and Google provided mapping and routing services over the internet. These replaced local computer-based mapping and routing programs by companies like Delorme and Garmin. And those programs replaced the use of paper maps and routing services provided by organizations like AAA.

The creation of cryptocurrencies may prove to perform the three functions of money (unit of account, medium of exchange, and store of value) in ways that are more free and efficient than government issues.

Approach 10: Entirely New Solution

Next: Approach 11: General Technical Solution

Prev: Approach 09: End of Life

Index
Introduction

    
Approaches

    
Considerations