‘Goldilocks Approach’ to Team Membership: A Good Technique When You Are Solutioning

      If you are on a six sigma or other process improvement project, coming up with solutions can be a challenge.  While it is essential to have subject matter experts (SMEs) on the project for their valuable contributions, it is sometimes a good idea to have someone ‘just familiar’ with the area who can see the current situation and possible solutions from a slightly different perspective.

      A number of years ago, I was at a seminar put on by one of my mentors, Dr. Harold S. Haller http://www.haroldhaller.com. At the seminar Dr. Haller gave a great example of this.  It was during World War II and a new United States warplane had been introduced to the European Theater.  The leader of the Army Air Corp at the time was concerned an excessive number of planes were being shot down.  So he asked the manufacturer of the plane to send one of their technical experts to England to see if he could determine what the problem might be.

      The first thing the expert did was ask the maintenance crews to take a line drawing of the plane from all angles out to each plane and put marks where there were bullet holes.  This surprised all those present but they did as requested.  After some time, they came back and showed it to him and the others.  They noticed that every one of the plane’s diagrams had numerous bullet holes except for a large area under the pilot’s seat.  The expert announced the problem was something under that area.  When asked how he determined that he said planes which had been shot in that area were not returning from battle.  As I remember the problem was with the planes’ design was inadequate armor around the fuel pump which was fixed and that problem went away.

      As talented as that fine group of airmen were, I don’t think they would have come up with the solution that quickly on their own.  So when you are at the ‘solutioning’ phase of the project, it’s a good idea have someone with some knowledge of the area.  It’s similar to a ‘Goldilocks Approach’ to project knowledge – not too much or not too little but just right.