The D.R.U.G.S.S.S.S Technique is based by and large on the premise that a given problem has one or more Root Causes. Once we have identified that root cause we can do something about it, i.e. remove it. In doing so the Problem is considered to be solved.
Previously we have discussed the 5 WHYs technique for finding the Root Cause of a given Problem. Usually it's appropriate for Technical, Engineering Problems.
Next I invite you to consider a method I developed for Problem Solving that incorporates the 5 Whys.
The D.R.U.G.S.S.S.S Technique stands for: Define, Redefine, Use, Gauge, Solutions Development & Solution Choice, Solution Implementation, Solution Survey and Success Monitoring, Start Over.
1. Step - Define Problem
At the first step we define the Problem. On a piece of paper write a statement of what you think the problem is.
Example: The corn crop / production is below expectation.
2. Step - Redefine the Problem
The application of 5 Whys will depend on the starting point i.e. the Problem definition. For that reason at this point we are going to redefine / reformulate / reframe the Problem definition. Come up with 3-5 reformulations of the initial problem definition.
For more information on how to do this read here: How to Redefine / reformulate / reframe the Problem definition
Example: We don't have as much corn as we wanted.
3. Step - Use the 5 Whys Technique
Here we actually begin to use the 5 Whys technique. To do so we take the previous problem statement and ask:
Why is the problem Happening / Happened?
What caused the Problem to happen?
Why does this problem exist?
Why did this problem Originated / Started in the first place?
Once we ask the one of the above questions we'll get a Because Answer. To the Because Answer we apply again the Why question. We repeat this 5 times. Keep in mind that 5 is relative number, based on the overall observations that one needs five iterations to solve a problem.
In practical usage we could have less or more than 5 iterations depending on the problem we are working on.
Basically we do the iteration until we have identified a cause (set of causes) which once are taking care of / removed solves the problem under consideration.
Let's consider an example for the Problem: The corn crop / production is below expectation.
- Why is corn crop is below expectation? Because the corn didn't get enough water.
- Why didn't the corn got enough water? Because it didn't rained as predicted.
- Why didn't rained as predicted? Because the weather conditions are unreliable.
In the above example we have reached a point where the identified cause (weather conditions) is not under our control. We could go further with keeping asking WHY, but that won't probably get us further in practical terms. We might conclude that the problem is unsolvable.
Yet the Answers to the stated problem could have gone in a different way: Let's see:
- Why is corn crop is below expectation? Because the corn didn't get enough water.
- Why didn't the corn got enough water? Because we haven't put in place an irrigation system.
- Why haven't we put in place an irrigation system? Because we haven't anticipated the drought?
- Why haven't we anticipated the drought? Because we have allocated time to consider different implications.
- Why didn't we allocated time to consider different implications? Because we were arrogant and careless.
In this second example we can see that although is the same problem we have identified a cause that we can work on / do something about. If in the future we won't be arrogant or careless the t same type of problem is less likely to happen again.
4. Step - Gauge the Answers
Here we are going to Gauge, Assess and Evaluate the Answers that were provided using the 5 Whys. Like a detective we are going to investigate them and pay attention if :
5. Step - Solutions Develop and Choice
At this step we are going to develop a 3, 5 or 10 alternative solutions that are likely to solve the problem. Then we choose one that has the best chances to be successful.
Keep in mind that usually the way the problem in formulated it implies one or more solutions.
Ask yourself:
Based on the Problem definition and the Answers given at Step 3 what solutions would be required?
What kind of Ideas come to mind for solving this Problem?
How would someone I admire solve this type of Problems?
How would I recommend someone I care about to solve this Problem?
How would an Alien solve this Problem?
6. Step - Solution Implementation and Monitoring
At this step we take the previously chosen solution and define practical implementation steps. Define Roles and Responsibilities. We also this about a Monitoring Procedure.
What would be required to implement this Solution and Solve the Problem?
How many Steps do you estimate are necessary to ?
Who will be Responsible and for what?
What will your role be in making this happen?
What can directly control in implementing this Idea?
What can you initiate, maintain and experiment with so that success in ensured?
What indicators will let you know if you are moving forward or backwards?
How'll you know that you are making progress or it's time to reconsider your action plan?
7. Step - Solution to Success Check
At this Step we basically check if the Problem has been solved by applying the Chosen Solution. We compare the Desired Result with the Concrete Outcome. If they match we can consider that the problem is solved.
We could also have a situation where we actually get a result that is different than the initially desired result. Different could Mean below the expectations, above the Expectation or something that we haven't considered initially and might require to rethink our success criteria.
8. Step - Start Over
If the outcome is different than the Desired Result and bellow the expectations we would better start over from the Problem Definition or Using a Different Technique to Solve the Problem.
Some other Techniques to Consider:
