Find the root cause
Find the root cause
#5 Sometimes the problem you see isn't really what's causing it.
This post is a replay from issue #5 of The Playbook that I never sent to your inbox. I'm on a break from writing new posts, but I'm excited and looking forward to sharing further insights soon. Additionally, I'm making progress with my upcoming handbook about deliberate practice for designers. Some free slots are still available if you're interested, as I plan to charge for them once it's published.
Sometimes the problem you see isn't the real problem.
It's just something that you can see, hear, and feel immediately. These are called symptoms.
During the pandemic, for some reason, some people considered having a cough, fever, chills, and fatigue as signs of COVID-19, but they didn't go for a test and assumed they had contracted it. They took the initiative to self-quarantine, rest in bed, and take multivitamins.
But really? It could not be COVID. I’ve seen people who thought they had caught COVID-19, experienced the symptoms, and took multiple tests, but they were negative.
Jumping onto ideas without understanding the real problem is like taking medicine without knowing what's wrong with your body.
Painkillers might provide temporary relief. That's what quick wins often do. You think you've won; you think you've solved the problem. But then you find out it was bigger than you thought.
Sometimes it can be the opposite. You think the problem is HUGE, and you search for grand ideas. Ultimately, what you need is a simple solution.
The next time you face a problem, be curious. Don’t stop on the first guess. Be relentlessly curious. Don’t make assumptions about how something works or why it exists in a certain way, as you might overlook the underlying cause.
Ask yourself, ask your teammates:
Are we solving the right (worth-solving) problem?
Why are we solving this problem?
Why is it like this? Why is it like that?
Overflood your process with why, with curiosity.
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I'm writing two handbooks to guide designers with valuable insights, helping them thrive in their craft.
Frameworks for Thinking offers various frameworks and tools to help designers and creatives think critically, generate new ideas, and solve complex problems.
Deliberate Practice for Designers provides guides and insights to help you master your craft and become a lifelong learner through deliberate practice.