Sometimes we expect things to turn out perfectly the first time. If you do not, then you may be one of the the few. In order to (hopefully) have our ventures turn out the best as possible, we tend to brainstorm and plan ahead to circumvent any issues we may run across. However, it has been suggested in a Harvard Business Review post by Josh Sibel that we use trial and error.
Some of the greatest innovations we benefit from are offspring of trial and error. We have our ideas, notions of proper execution and their outcomes. Essentially, we plan to perfection. As eloquently stated, “perfection is often the enemy of success,” and the pursuit of such perfection sometimes proves to be a detriment. Trial and error allows one to learn from their mistakes and create a product that could have a better outcome than the one that we planned to be perfect.
We think of Apple as the bastion of perfection, but though it appears to be a well oiled perfect machine is not without the use of trial and error. Think about it, just about every iPhone release or iOS release has not been without subsequent modifications to improve the product.
Rhonda – Good article and from past experience trial and error was the method used for a consulting firm I previously worked at. Right out of college we were thrust onto various client sites with minimal training and where we did lack in knowledge of a process, we made up for with quick thinking. By utilizing past experiences of trial and error we were able to forecast which methods we can cut out and which methods we can execute for instant impact.
Creativity and organic thought process is something we were also able to showcase to our clients and they appreciated the new perspectives we were able to bring. With consulting driven by projects and a results oriented culture, I believe the trial and error decision making process is useful. Clients value time as a premium but with a balance between the rigidity of a schedule and creative solutions they do appreciate the results. Executing hypotheses now also could allows for teams to uncover unexpected roadblocks or opportunities for future planning.
Trial and error does not work in every environment but it does break the cookie cutter mold that some companies like to always abide by.
Rhonda – interesting post. As a scientist I do a lots of amount of planning with trial and error. One of the things I hope to learn post-MBA is how to do more planning and less trial and error without completely eliminating opportunities for brainstorming and creative thinking.
Creativity and organic thought ties nicely to the “5 Dimensions of Business Intelligence.” That critical balancing dance between a thorough gathering of the facts and pushing beyond the edges to help your client see opportunities and connections they could not see themselves. Creative Intelligence and Integrative Thinking are critical components of this process – but must be grounded in solid research/understanding of the current environment (Contextual Intelligence and Problem Solving). And of course, grounded in solid sources (Evidential Responsibility)