Chicken or the Egg

Which comes first, the problem or the solution? Either ways works.

Sometimes you have a problem and you are looking for a solution.  This is the traditional approach.  We have a problem that needs solving and we go through a process to find a solution for it. (see  Solving Problems).

Sometimes you have a solution, maybe in the form of some new technology, and are looking for a problem to solve with it.  New technology might help you solve a problem you didn’t think there was a solution for.  Working backward from solution to problem is a interesting way to solve problems.  Sometimes we may not immediately see how to use a new technology to solve some problem, but learning about it will put another tool in our belt that can be pulled out and used a the appropriate time.

So, either chicken or the egg can come first when it comes to solving problems.

Related posts:

1. So What?
2. Four steps to solve a problem
3. Using Webinars to Communicate Value