This is how Knightstone Housing are taking ideas and getting stuff done. Too often projects get stuck at the deciding whether the project is worthwhile stage. Knightstone are keeping projects small with the focus on getting stuff done.

2. 5 Questions to
Understand the Great Idea

3. Question 1 - What is the problem
that the idea needs to fix?
Is the idea to take advantage of
a new opportunity? If so then the
aim is find why the organisation
is not able to do so.
This is a high level statement
and does not include too much
detail.

4. Question 2 – What is the
impact of the problem?
This question helps improve
understanding about the size
and scale of the problem.
By doing this there is an
appreciation for how great an
idea it is.

5. Question 3 – Who does the
problem affect?
For example is the problem
affecting staff, existing
customers or new customers?
Understanding who will help
shape the successful outcome.

6. Question 4 - What would a
successful outcome look like?
Often when people have a great
idea they also have an idea of
what the finished product will
look like.
By understanding what they
have in mind is a great way to
understand the idea.

7. Question 5 – What is the
benefit?
The last question is about what
benefit the idea would bring.
Knowing that for example it
would save staff time so they
can do other things will bring the
idea to life.
Giving something a purpose and
why it is worth doing gives
motivation to do the idea.

8. 5 Questions to Understand
the Great Idea
Question 1 - What is the problem
that the idea needs to fix?
Question 2 – What is the impact
of the problem?
Question 3 – Who does the
problem affect?
Question 4 - What would a
successful outcome look like?
Question 5 – What is the benefit?

9. 8 Steps from
Idea to Solution Design

10. Step 1 – Describe the
solution
The first step is to describe what
the proposed solution is and
how it will solve the problem.

11. Step 2 – Draw the solution
The saying that a picture paints
a thousand words is so true.
This step is a drawing of the
proposed solution option.
In the same way an architect
produces a drawing of how a
proposed new house will look.
The drawing could be anything
that helps understand what the
proposed solution is.

12. Step 3 – Cost
With the solution described and
drawn the third step is to state
how much it will cost.
The cost split is into both one off
expenditure and any recurring
payments

13. Step 4 – Impact
The fourth step is focusing on
completion of the solution.
The purpose of this step is to
give advance notice to get ready
for the solution.
For example is a change to
existing business processes
needed. Would any current job
roles need to change? Is there
any staff recruitment required?

14. Step 5 – Issues and Risks
This step is looking at the
implementation of the solution.
Is there any potential problems
to resolve first?
For example is another piece of
work needed first? If it is not
done then will it cause the
proposed solution a problem?

15. Step 6 – Pros and Cons
Step six is all about what the
pros and cons are for solution
option.
Also if this is the recommended
option included is the reasons
why it is the best option.

16. Step 7 – Effort
A bit of guesswork comes with
step 7 as this is about how much
effort to put in place the solution.
As this is very early in the project
added to the total is a 20%
contingency.
For example if the proposed
solution is to take 4 days then
the stated effort is 5 days. The
purpose of this estimate is not for
planning purposes but used as a
guide for which solution to
choose.

17. Step 8 - Recommendation
The final step is only done if
there is more than one solution
option.
The step is like an executive
summary of the recommended
solution.
This step includes a brief
description along with the total
cost and effort. Then finally why
it is the recommended solution.

18. 8 Steps from
Idea to Solution Design
Step 1 – Describe the solution
Step 2 – Draw the solution
Step 3 – Cost
Step 4 – Impact
Step 5 – Issues and Risks
Step 6 – Pros and Cons
Step 7 – Effort
Step 8 - Recommendation

19. ProjectNewsToday.com
By Barry Hodge