the problem is not the problem

The Problem is Not the Problem

Harry Max, VP Product & Design!Jim Meyer, VP Product & Development!!Rackspace Hosting

#sxrackspace

There’s no sense in being precise when you don’t even know what you’re talking about.

John von Neumann

#sxrackspace

I’m a problem solver.

#sxrackspace

You’re a problem solver.

#sxrackspace

It’s what we do.

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#sxrackspace

Let’s unpack that.

#sxrackspace

“The problem is …” is problematic.

#sxrackspace

We go looking for problems.

#sxrackspace

Sometimes we make the problem.

#sxrackspace

Most of the time, we don’t realize what the problem really is.

#sxrackspace

Repairing vs. Creating Value

#sxrackspace

Repairing vs. Creating Value

#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

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#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

Scop

e of

impa

ct

Trivial Brutal

Smal

lEp

ic

Issue

Problem

Predicament

Quagmire

Potential!Disaster

ELE

Dilemma

#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

Scop

e of

impa

ct

Trivial Brutal

Smal

lEp

ic

Issue

Problem

Predicament

Quagmire

Potential!Disaster

ELE

Dilemma

By definition, problems can be solved

#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

Scop

e of

impa

ct

Trivial Brutal

Smal

lEp

ic

Issue

Problem

Predicament

Quagmire

Potential!Disaster

ELE

Dilemma

Dilemmas require you to choose

#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

Scop

e of

impa

ct

Trivial Brutal

Smal

lEp

ic

Issue

Problem

Predicament

Quagmire

Potential!Disaster

ELE

Dilemma

Issues may need to be addressed

#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

Scop

e of

impa

ct

Trivial Brutal

Smal

lEp

ic

Issue

Problem

Predicament

Quagmire

Potential!Disaster

ELE

Dilemma

Predicaments are problems that!can’t be solved, by definition

#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

Scop

e of

impa

ct

Trivial Brutal

Smal

lEp

ic

Issue

Problem

Predicament

Quagmire

Potential!Disaster

ELE

Dilemma

Quagmires are predicaments that!get worse as you try to solve them!

#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

Scop

e of

impa

ct

Trivial Brutal

Smal

lEp

ic

Issue

Problem

Predicament

Quagmire

Potential!Disaster

ELE

Dilemma

Potential disasters are scary

#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

Scop

e of

impa

ct

Trivial Brutal

Smal

lEp

ic

Issue

Problem

Predicament

Quagmire

Potential!Disaster

ELE

Dilemma

Extinction level events, if they !come to pass, end it all.

#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

Scop

e of

impa

ct

Trivial Brutal

Smal

lEp

ic

Issue

Problem

Predicament

Quagmire

Potential!Disaster

ELE

Dilemma

Solve

#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

Scop

e of

impa

ct

Trivial Brutal

Smal

lEp

ic

Issue

Problem

Predicament

Quagmire

Potential!Disaster

ELE

Dilemma

Solve Manage

#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

Scop

e of

impa

ct

Trivial Brutal

Smal

lEp

ic

Issue

Problem

Predicament

Quagmire

Potential!Disaster

ELE

Dilemma

Solve Manage Mind

#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

Scop

e of

impa

ct

Trivial Brutal

Smal

lEp

ic

Issue

Problem

Predicament

Quagmire

Potential!Disaster

ELE

Dilemma

Solve Manage Mind Plan

#sxrackspace

So, where should you focus?

#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

Scop

e of

impa

ct

Trivial Brutal

Smal

lEp

ic

Issue

Problem

Predicament

Quagmire

Potential!Disaster

ELE

Dilemma

Solve Manage Mind Plan

START HERELess effort, !more impact

#sxrackspace

The Problem is Not the Problem

Difficulty to solve

Scop

e of

impa

ct

Trivial Brutal

Smal

lEp

ic

Issue

Problem

Predicament

Quagmire

Potential!Disaster

ELE

Dilemma

Solve Manage Mind Plan

WORK ABOVE THE LINE

Things down here are lower impact

#sxrackspace

There’s no sense in being precise when you don’t even know what you’re talking about.

John von Neumann

#sxrackspace

The problem is not the problem.