The beauty and its flaws
The reality is that no perfect solution exists.
“There are no solutions, there are only trade-offs; you try to get the best trade-off you can get, that’s all you can hope for.”
~ Thomas Sowell.
American author, economist, social theorist
The solution you are currently crafting seems to meet all the criteria; it solves the user's problem while creating value for the business.
However, the reality is that no perfect solution exists. Your choices will impact other parts of the product. In seeking what you consider the perfect solution, you inevitably make trade-offs.
You let go.
You sacrifice.
You take the consequences.
Considering the trade-offs and the consequences doesn’t mean stopping you—it propels your decision-making.
Don’t dismiss the opposition.
Don’t disregard pessimists.
Sometimes, they are the best people to break the charm of a so-called perfect solution and prompt you to pause and think about the solution.
Here are the mindsets to adopt:
Wear a black hat: Be oppositional, pessimistic, and realistic. Don’t hate people for wearing their black hats.
Ask yourself:
What are the trade-offs?
What are the consequences?
Use these questions to calibrate your solution. Discuss with your team how you will address the trade-offs and consequences.