Methodology refers to the basic principles that guide our work and help us quickly identify the core of a problem and determine a solution. A good methodology can help us achieve more with less effort.
Methodology for Getting Things Done#
5W2H#
The 5W2H rule is a problem analysis and solving method that comprehensively understands and solves problems by answering the following seven questions:
- What: What is the content of the problem or task? What specific issues need to be addressed?
- Why: Why do we need to solve this problem or complete this task? What are the motivations and purposes behind it?
- Who: Who are the relevant personnel or affected groups of the problem? Who will be involved in solving the problem or completing the task?
- When: When did the problem occur or when does the task start? Are there any specific deadlines or schedules?
- Where: Where did the problem occur or where is the task being conducted? Are there any specific geographical locations or environments?
- How: How did the problem occur? What are the specific steps and methods to solve the problem or complete the task?
- How much: How many resources are needed to solve the problem or complete the task? This includes resources such as time, manpower, and funds.
By answering these questions, teams or individuals can fully understand various aspects of the problem, determine specific plans and steps to solve the problem or complete the task, and ensure that all key factors are considered. This method helps improve the efficiency of problem solving and project management, ensuring that work is completed on time and with high quality.
STAR#
The STAR method is an effective approach for answering interview questions, especially behavioral interview questions. This method helps you answer questions in a clear and organized manner, showcasing your abilities and experiences.
STAR is an acronym that represents the following four steps:
- Situation: Describe the specific situation or background you encountered. This can be a challenge, problem, or task.
- Task: Explain the task or goal you needed to accomplish in that situation. This represents the specific requirements you faced.
- Action: Explain the actions you took to address the task or solve the problem. Describe your specific approach, steps, and strategies.
- Result: Summarize the results or impacts of your actions. Emphasize the achievements, lessons learned, and reflections on the results.
By using the STAR method, you can systematically answer questions about your past experiences and abilities, making your answers more structured, detailed, and persuasive. This method allows interviewers to better understand your work style, problem-solving abilities, and reaction to challenges.
Pareto Principle#
The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, is used to quantify the relationship between inputs and outputs. Italian scholar Pareto discovered that the distribution of social wealth among the population is unbalanced, with 20% of the people occupying 80% of the social wealth. This imbalance is commonly observed in society, and the Pareto Principle has become a shorthand for this unequal relationship. Understanding the Pareto Principle can help us focus on the core of a problem and achieve 80% of the results by optimizing the crucial 20%.
Long Tail Theory#
The Long Tail theory is the opposite of the Pareto Principle. It suggests that the long tail, which represents the remaining 80%, can accumulate into a significant share. There is great potential for improvement by optimizing the long tail. The application of the Pareto Principle and the Long Tail theory requires analysis based on specific scenarios. There is no right or wrong between the two theories; it's about doing the right thing at the right time.
Delivery Methods#
MVP#
MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the core idea of delivering a minimal set of features to users, collecting feedback, iterating, and eventually transforming it into a complete product. This approach allows for rapid product validation at the lowest cost, avoiding the need for major adjustments after investing significant resources.
Thinking Methods#
Six Thinking Hats#
The Six Thinking Hats is a thinking tool developed by Edward de Bono, used to examine problems or make decisions from different perspectives. Each hat represents a different thinking mode, helping teams or individuals think comprehensively about a problem. Here is an introduction to the Six Thinking Hats:
- White Hat (Facts): Focuses on facts and information, collects data, raises questions, and explores the reality of the situation.
- Red Hat (Emotions): Expresses feelings and emotions, shares intuitions and intuitive responses, discusses personal emotions and viewpoints.
- Black Hat (Criticism): Engages in critical thinking, evaluates risks and flaws, raises possible problems and obstacles.
- Yellow Hat (Optimism): Engages in positive and optimistic thinking, looks for opportunities and advantages, proposes solutions and suggestions.
- Green Hat (Creativity): Engages in creative thinking, proposes novel viewpoints and ideas, explores possibilities for innovation and improvement.
- Blue Hat (Control): Manages the thinking process, organizes discussions, guides the team to consensus and decision-making.
By using the Six Thinking Hats, teams can promote comprehensive thinking and consider problems from multiple angles, improving teamwork and decision-making efficiency. Each thinking hat represents a different thinking mode, helping team members consider problems more comprehensively and objectively during discussions and decision-making processes.
First Principles#
First Principles originated from the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who said, "In every system, there are fundamental propositions that cannot be violated or removed."
Elon Musk greatly admires First Principles. He once said, "We apply 'First Principles' thinking instead of 'Comparison Thinking' to solve problems. We tend to compare in life - if someone has done or is doing something, we do it too. The result is only small incremental development. 'First Principles' thinking is a way of looking at the world from a physics perspective, that is, peeling back the layers of appearances, seeing the essence inside, and then moving up from the essence layer by layer."
SCQA#
SCQA is a structured expression method in the McKinsey Pyramid Model, which stands for Situation, Complication, Question, and Answer. When using SCQA, it is not necessary to strictly follow the order of "Situation-Complication-Question-Answer" for expression. It can be rearranged to adapt to different expression styles and emotions. Generally, it can be divided into the following four modes:
- Standard: (SCA) Situation-Complication-Answer.
- Straightforward: (ASC) Answer-Situation-Complication.
- Highlighting Concerns: (CSA) Complication-Situation-Answer.
- Highlighting Confidence: (QSCA) Question-Situation-Complication-Answer.
Goal Management#
OKR#
OKR stands for Objectives and Key Results. OKR is a bottom-up aggregation that drives innovation among employees and is shared and transparent within the organization. It allows all employees to have a clear understanding of the organization's goals. OKRs need to be continuously updated and adjusted based on actual business conditions, enabling timely understanding of goal progress and risks for both the organization and employees.
KPI#
KPI stands for Key Performance Indicator. It is a goal-oriented quantitative management indicator that measures process performance by setting, sampling, calculating, and analyzing key parameters of internal processes within an organization. It is a tool for decomposing strategic goals into actionable work goals and forms the basis of enterprise performance management. Compared to OKRs, KPIs are top-down and focus more on results, requiring everything to be quantified in terms of indicators.
KPIs and OKRs can be used together, with KPIs responsible for assessment and OKRs responsible for process management. KPIs act as a dashboard, while OKRs act as navigation software.
SMART#
The SMART framework is a methodology for goal setting and project management. It stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This approach helps individuals or teams set clear and achievable goals and track and evaluate progress towards those goals.
Here is an explanation of each component:
- Specific: Goals should be clearly defined, avoiding vague descriptions, so that everyone understands the content and direction of the goals.
- Measurable: Goals should be quantifiable and measurable to evaluate progress and achievements, and to motivate team members' efforts.
- Achievable: Goals should be realistic and attainable, considering factors such as resources, time, and capabilities, to ensure they can be accomplished.
- Relevant: Goals should align with overall objectives or strategies, and be consistent with the team's mission and vision, avoiding deviations from the main goals.
- Time-bound: Goals should have specific timeframes, creating time pressure to enhance team efficiency and execution.
By following the SMART framework, teams can better manage projects and achieve goals, improving work efficiency and outcomes.
Strategic Analysis#
PEST#
PEST analysis is a strategic management tool used to assess and understand the impact of the external environment on an organization or project. PEST represents four aspects:
- Political: Refers to the influence of government and political environment on the organization or project, including policies, regulations, government stability, political forces, and relationships.
- Economic: Refers to the impact of the economic environment on the organization or project, including economic growth rate, monetary policy, inflation rate, consumer confidence, and employment rate.
- Social: Refers to the influence of social culture and demographic structure on the organization or project, including population trends, values, lifestyles, cultural differences, and social responsibility.
- Technological: Refers to the impact of technological development on the organization or project, including technological advancements, digital trends, innovation capabilities, and technological competition.
By conducting a PEST analysis, organizations or projects can gain insights into important external factors and trends, helping them formulate adaptive and competitive strategies and decisions. This analysis method helps predict market trends, seize opportunities, address challenges, and optimize resource allocation and management.
SWOT Analysis#
SWOT analysis is a strategic management tool used to assess the internal strengths, weaknesses, external opportunities, and threats of an organization or project. By analyzing these factors, organizations or projects can develop appropriate strategies and decisions.
Specifically, SWOT analysis includes the following four aspects:
- Strengths: Internal advantages and competitive strengths of the organization or project, such as unique technologies, professional teams, strong brand image, and efficient operations.
- Weaknesses: Internal disadvantages and weaknesses of the organization or project, such as lack of funds, outdated technology, inefficient processes, and poor management.
- Opportunities: External opportunities for development of the organization or project, such as market growth, new technology applications, and competitors' withdrawal.
- Threats: External factors that may pose threats to the organization or project, such as intensified competition, regulatory changes, and economic instability.
By conducting a SWOT analysis, organizations or projects can gain in-depth understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, seize opportunities, and address threats, enabling them to develop corresponding strategies and plans. This method helps improve organizational competitiveness, reduce risks, and better utilize internal and external resources and environmental factors.