It is very instructive to listen to people and especially to the questions they ask when they are trying to understand a new challenge or solve a problem. Different people ask very different questions, leading to vastly different, and sometimes very biased, answers to the very same question. In some cases, the mistake of asking the wrong question, even leads to road-blocks which severely undercut the ability of finding any sensible solution.
In fact, the importance of these questions and the definition of the problem cannot be overstated. Albert Einstein once remarked that “The more formulation of a problem is far more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill. To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle requires creative imagination and marks real advances in science.” The same is true, of course, in engineering.
In fact, we hear a lot about challenges and problems. How are we getting rid of our dependence on foreign oil? How are we going to power our houses in twenty years? How are we addressing the health-challenges of the future? How do we stop the cancer epidemic? Or, how can we make traffic safer?
It very much matters that we ask all the important questions before we propose a solution, or start investing in those solutions. Even though it is easily said, this may be one of the most challenging parts of the work of an innovator. Problems are often not what they seem to be upon first investigation. And, we are better off if we ask ourselves a broad series of questions before we start building a solution?
In my observations, engineers and especially University researchers have a tendency to gravitate to the “how” and the “what”. How does this technology really work? What are the problems with autonomous driving today? In other words, many of the questions traditional engineers tend to ask are focused very much on the technology, the gadget and its function. These questions have a tendency to re-“search under the streetlight” – it solves problems with a series of very limited tools and scope. It perfects solutions without a serious attempt to ask whether this pursuit is actually important.
In fact, it is a lot easier to publish a paper focused on a slight improvement of a technology, rather than the first paper on a new approach and new innovation. Researchers are concerned about their ability to publish and they worry about this. But, it’s just not much fun – at least, not to me. Many papers in our literature can be described by an approach summarized by – “nobody asks – we answer”. Libraries would be a lot smaller if we got rid of marginal articles. In fact, I have to admit that such a step would also shorten my own publication list.
Most important breakthroughs are much less concerned with the “how”, but much more concerned with the “why”. Why are we actually using this inefficient process in our cars? Why can’t we apply this new technology to this challenge? “Why”-type of questions tend to undermine the status quo. They are dangerous for the people who want to hold on to the past. But, “why” questions lead to breakthrough’s!
There is another type of question entrepreneurial researchers ask a lot, and which almost never appears in traditional work – “Who”? Who is the customer for this solution – companies, individuals? Who cares if I am successful? This is one of the most important questions to ask when writing a proposal or when raising funding for an entirely new project. And, I am amazed how few times I actually hear it. In fact, “who”-type questions can be probed by calling some people. “Say – what would you say if I gave you a device that could do X and Y. Would that solve the problem you talk about?”
“Who”-type questions are both humbling and empowering. By asking this question, we acknowledge that we are not the ones calling the shots. We are not in control. There are others whose opinions we absolutely need to care about. We don’t ask enough questions about “who”.
An engineer with an entrepreneurial mindset will be able to ask all these questions – and many more – and understand the answers and implications for technology development. A gadget is not just important because of how it works, but also why it is being used, and whose life it will affect. Asking questions is important – and it is especially important when we are in a hurry: “If we run out of time we need to take time to think!” This is perhaps the most important lesson I ever learned during my time in the military.
The next time you think about a new problem, ask more questions! Innovators don’t just focus on the “what” and the “how”, but equally on the “why” and the “who”!
Note: Professor Scott Fogler in the College of Engineering has developed a class on “Strategies for Creative Problem Solving”, and has even written a book about it. His class-notes to this topic are posted and I have found them to be very inspiring!
