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. 

Contractor Exit Strategy 3 of 6: Strategic Sale to an Outside Buyer
Contractor Exit Strategy 3 of 6: Strategic Sale to an Outside Buyer. This is what every contractor wants, however, only a small percentage of deals truly fit into this category.
Related Article
Succession Fact #3: Trust Between Parties
Succession Fact #3: No exit strategy or deal structure will work without trust between all major stakeholder groups. Whether it is a large and complex project or a business ownership transition, there will never be a “perfect” set of documents or plan.
Related Article
Our Principles for Creating Value in Careers, Projects, and Contracting
“As to methods, there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The person who grasps principles can successfully select their own methods. The person who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.” - Harrington Emmerson
Related Article