Observe, Hypothesize, and Experiment

Contractors would run much better including improved field productivity if they applied the simple lesson we all learned around middle-school science class:

D. Brown Management Profile Picture
D. Brown Management
January 21, 2019 1 minute read
Share
Quote: Stop debating and start experimenting. Because if you don't run experiments you can't learn. Adam Grant from Power Moves.

The Scientific Method:  

  1. Make an observation
      
  2. Ask questions about the observation and gather information

  3. Form a hypothesis about what created the outcome and make predictions about the future state based on the hypothesis

  4. Test the hypothesis in an experiment that can be reproduced

  5. Analyze the data from the experiments that either validates or invalidates the hypothesis

  6. Reproduce the experiment until there are no discrepancies between observed results and theory

Experiments are hard to run in complex environments like a construction company.  That does not mean that you should not attempt to make the best observation, hypothesis, and experiments you can for a given situation.  

Adam Grant talks with the CEO of Goldman Sachs in the book Power Moves about experimentation in what works best for recruiting and retention. 

Capacity Expansion as a Strategic Decision
"Capacity expansion is one of the most significant strategic decisions faced by firms, measured both in terms of the amount of capital involved and the complexity of the decision-making problem." - Michael Porter (Author of Competitive Strategy)
Related Article
End of Easy
Don’t give up just when the going gets tough, that should be your starting point. Know that most others have given up at this same point, so success and competitive advantage is probably just around the corner from when things begin to get tough.
Related Article
Succession and the 2024 Olympics as an Example
Succession in any job role should be looked at like the USA Team in the Mixed 4x400 Relay Race at the 2024 Olympics. This is especially true for ownership transitions for construction contractors. Learn more about this 4-step process.
Related Article