Facebook’s QC problem

One of the first things any problem solver does on the way to a solution is to ensure a correct understanding of a problem. The next step is understanding the desired results. These two steps are remarkably consistent from math to hard physical sciences like chemistry and physics to any of the so-called soft sciences like sociology or psychology and even economics. Knowing your starting and ending points will greatly accelerate resolution.

The Wright Brothers knew how to solve problems.

Failure to nail the first two steps can result in much frustration and wasted time and resources. But sometimes we can’t even describe the problem accurately because our vision of a solution requires new or not yet invented technologies and history is full of examples. For instance, from very early times humans have wanted to fly like birds and unfortunately “like birds” was a major stumbling point because humans don’t have the anatomy for avian flight.

A human’s strongest muscles are in the legs whereas birds have skinny legs and big chest muscles to power their wings. Birds have also adapted to life in the skies by jettisoning unnecessary weight, they have small heads with beaks instead of teeth and legs and feet are just enough to do their jobs. Birds also have very rapid heartbeats to deliver a constant and rich supply of fuel and oxygen to their muscles. For instance, hummingbirds’ hearts can beat at 250 beats per minute–at rest–rising to…