Project Management

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What do you do when you don't know what to do?

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Joshua Render Product Owner| Cognizant Harrisville, Ny, United States
Nothing in particular here, I am just wondering how others handle uncertainty, lack of knowledge on a subject, or a hard to research problem.
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Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
I consult with others, always.
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1 reply by Joshua Render
Jul 18, 2018 11:13 AM
Joshua Render
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Other people's experiences can sometimes prove to be invaluable. The difficult part for some people is admitting they need the help. I have struggled with that myself at times. Eventually, you have to just know your limitations and what you are capable of - recognize that someone else may just know more than you about a particular subject area and hope to learn from it.
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Joshua Render Product Owner| Cognizant Harrisville, Ny, United States
Jul 18, 2018 11:09 AM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
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I consult with others, always.
Other people's experiences can sometimes prove to be invaluable. The difficult part for some people is admitting they need the help. I have struggled with that myself at times. Eventually, you have to just know your limitations and what you are capable of - recognize that someone else may just know more than you about a particular subject area and hope to learn from it.
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Girija Ramakrishnan Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
Joshua,

If I am unable to get any clue / idea after contemplating for hours or even days, I keep my mind relaxed not to think about the uncertainty. Suddenly an idea may trigger and if not consult my family & friends.
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1 reply by Joshua Render
Jul 18, 2018 11:42 AM
Joshua Render
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I am a bit of an insomniac. I tend to wake up in the middle of the night and stay awake for hours.
I have encountered issues I just could not solve, then days later I wake up in the middle of the night and it just comes to me. I have to get up and write down the solution so I don't forget.
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Joshua Render Product Owner| Cognizant Harrisville, Ny, United States
Jul 18, 2018 11:38 AM
Replying to Girija Ramakrishnan
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Joshua,

If I am unable to get any clue / idea after contemplating for hours or even days, I keep my mind relaxed not to think about the uncertainty. Suddenly an idea may trigger and if not consult my family & friends.
I am a bit of an insomniac. I tend to wake up in the middle of the night and stay awake for hours.
I have encountered issues I just could not solve, then days later I wake up in the middle of the night and it just comes to me. I have to get up and write down the solution so I don't forget.
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Damian Perera Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist| Chrysalis Mellawagedara, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Uncertainty is of course not bad. It helps us to find grey areas and to be open to other sources to deal with the unknown.
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1 reply by Joshua Render
Jul 18, 2018 1:55 PM
Joshua Render
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Uncertainty and chaos breeds unique ways to solve problems, and perhaps better ways.
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Kiron Bondale Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada
Expert judgment (local or virtual) would be my first choice but failing that, I'd tackle it like the old joke of "How do you eat an elephant?".

As much as you can, break the problem down, or if even that is challenging, come up with a design spike or similar approach to tackle one element of the uncertainty facing you.

Kiron
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1 reply by Joshua Render
Jul 18, 2018 1:54 PM
Joshua Render
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You are definitely a project manager. :)
Having just written a 1,000-page essay on prioritization techniques I can relate.
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Anton Oosthuizen Senior Business Analyst / Project Manager| Self Employed Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
I ask.
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1 reply by Joshua Render
Jul 18, 2018 1:52 PM
Joshua Render
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That is a far better response than some people I know would give. Hide and hope no one noticed they had nothing to do would be their answer.
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Joshua Render Product Owner| Cognizant Harrisville, Ny, United States
Jul 18, 2018 1:51 PM
Replying to Anton Oosthuizen
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I ask.
That is a far better response than some people I know would give. Hide and hope no one noticed they had nothing to do would be their answer.
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Joshua Render Product Owner| Cognizant Harrisville, Ny, United States
Jul 18, 2018 1:44 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Expert judgment (local or virtual) would be my first choice but failing that, I'd tackle it like the old joke of "How do you eat an elephant?".

As much as you can, break the problem down, or if even that is challenging, come up with a design spike or similar approach to tackle one element of the uncertainty facing you.

Kiron
You are definitely a project manager. :)
Having just written a 1,000-page essay on prioritization techniques I can relate.
avatar
Joshua Render Product Owner| Cognizant Harrisville, Ny, United States
Jul 18, 2018 11:43 AM
Replying to Damian Perera
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Uncertainty is of course not bad. It helps us to find grey areas and to be open to other sources to deal with the unknown.
Uncertainty and chaos breeds unique ways to solve problems, and perhaps better ways.
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