What IF –– ?

What if what? Exactly. The question “What IF –– ?” is a very powerful question, because asking it leaves things wide open and can start an unpredictable, interesting, and useful discussion. Asking ourselves and others great questions is very important. The answers will contain useful insights and the resulting discussion will generate more great questions. Robust processes WIN, so my interest is always on how the process can be made simpler or more robust. I’m interested in questions that can help us create more robust processes. So, let’s think about some good “What IF –– ?” questions from the Process Perspective… “What IF –– ?” Questions for NEW Processes

• This is more successful than we can imagine right now?

• A brand-new process concept is what’s needed to be robust?

• We took the initiative to investigate and benchmark the competition?

• We could design a process that scales gracefully and economically?

• We could build lifecycle considerations in from the start?

• We were to start with a “clean slate” and design the Gen 2 process now?

“What IF –– ?” Questions for EXISTING Processes

• We increase the yields by 1%, how much is that worth?

• We can build in quality and reduce inspection costs?

• We can solve that chronic customer problem by reimagining our manufacturing process?

• We could improve our product launches by making the process more robust?

• We suddenly had $1 million to invest in our manufacturing process, what would we do?

• We try to reduce our landfill scrap to zero, what’s possible, what would we learn?

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My main learning from this line of thinking is how powerful probing questions can be. These kinds of questions can help us dramatically expand the boundaries of what we might consider. This opening up of possibilities gives us “permission” to think and act boldly. Boldness can catalyze us in our quest for dramatic and substantial gains in our projects.

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CHALLENGE TO READERS

Please think about you and your organizations’ current projects for both new and existing processes…

• Do the above lists generate any interesting thoughts or possibilities that are worth following up on?

• Play with the “What IF –– ?” question for yourself, with no self-editing. What great questions can you generate in 15 minutes of focused effort?

I’d love to hear how the “What IF –– ?” question sparks your thinking. What are your best and most useful questions? If you email us, we will get back to you promptly. Thanks!

All the Best,

Marty

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