Hypothesis and Conclusions
As you can see, the problem can be solved so that the solution retains the initial understanding of its content. It is necessary to concentrate efforts on its structure, on the links between the content blocks. Modification of relationships preserves the essence of situation and allows experts to find the ways to fully accomplish the mission.
Information about the content of the problem situation is important and valuable for its analysis and understanding, but is not revised or modified while working on the correction of circumstances, while solving the problem.
We can assume that the hypothesis to which the article is devoted is confirmed.
From this hypothesis, the unexpected but far-reaching conclusions follow:
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It doesn’t matter what is written inside the “blocks” (functions, events or arbitrary text). The main point is that this information reflects how experts understand the essence of problem situation.
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There is no need to collect “full information about the situation” (for example, “a full list of functions performed by the system”, as is customary in QFD and VA / VE). It is important to collect information only on important elements of perception of the circumstances. All other knowledge will be revealed while analyzing the relationships between elements.
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Analytical work is greatly simplified (minimizing the cognitive efforts of experts while collecting the information):
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Data is collected so that experts feel comfortable;
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Only knowledge that is easy to recall (important elements of the content of what is happening) is collected;
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More detailed information (the facts that make up the “connections”) is collected as necessary, with a specific wording (“tell a story how this is related to that"), and therefore it is easy to recall.
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There is no need to "think in functions." The function (“the farmer installs a silencer”) as a representation of knowledge about the fact is convenient only from one standpoint: it is easy to modify it, much easier than the event (“the silencer is installed”). But formulating all knowledge about situation in form of functions is a complex intellectual work. While solving the problem, this information is NOT changed, and therefore there is no need to present it like that!
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Presentation of the revealed solutions to clients is greatly simplified. This is due to the fact that the content of situation is based on the professional knowledge and experience of client and his experts, and therefore, on their value system. Because of that, they perceive the mission impossible to accomplish! Any attempt to reconsider the understanding of situation is an assault on the client's identity, an act of aggression. If the solution does not affect the initial understanding of situation, but makes the mission accomplishment feasible, it is much easier for the customer to accept such solution and implement it.