Think on paper!
Article#: 00018
Date: 2020-06-20
Author: Radim
Do you want to solve a problem?
Describe the problem on a paper.
Write questions about the problem on the paper.
(A correct wording of the question already points to the answer.)
Try to answer the questions in writing.
Write different solutions.
Combine different ideas and try to find new possibilities.
Read what you wrote and mark the reasonable.
After a day or more, read the notes again.
(You can rethink the ideas even better after a while.)
© Radim-Automation, 2020–2025. All rights reserved.
Sharing of this article is permitted with proper attribution (link to the original page).
Related previous articles:
Related next articles:
- Stay alert!
- Get and stay in the flow!
- Realize every good idea ASAP!
- Keep the answers to the question "Why"
- Write a project diary!
- Don't make it worse!
- Define test scenarios and test cases continuously!
- Do the right things and do them right!
- Store email messages in the project folder!
- HMI and PLC applications should grow together
- Write down your best practices and processes!
- Set your goals for today, tommorow, this week ...
- Appoint a representative!
- Functional and intuitive HMI
- Who will operate?
- Collect all the requirements and sort them!
- Learn from your journey!
- Design machines with a focus on user's abilities and needs
- Think critically!
- Are there also any disadvantages?
- A good concept = Complete set of suitable solutions
- Hardware concept
- Modular software architecture
- Abbreviations
- Machine modularization
- Variable names
- Visual modeling
- Documentation issues
- Design considerations for effective HMIS
- PLC network diagram
- Graphic designer
- Keep everything you need together
- High Performance HMI
- HMI - Have a consistent style
- HMI - Don't overdo it with complex design
- Hidden dangers during commissioning
- Choosing an HMI display
Comment#: 00001
Date: 2022-10-22
User: Radim
"What's the problem? Are customers confused? Are you confused? Is something not clear enough? Was something not possible before that should be possible now? Sometimes when you ask these questions, you'll find you're solving an imaginary problem. That's when it's time to stop and reevaluate what the hell you're doing."
- Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson. 37signals (2010). Rework.
Comment#: 00002
Date: 2023-07-19
User: Radim
"You need an overview of what's coming up in order to use your time and energy wisely. And you need the security that you don't forget anything important. That is immensely relaxing.
Therefore, collect all your tasks, appointments, information, ideas in writing. In writing, to clear your head. My absolute recommendation: Use only ONE single task list and not a Post-It here, a scrap of paper there, an Excel list there or an app."
Translated from:
- Gabriele Thies. 8 Wege, um deine Aufgaben sinnvoll zu strukturieren.
- https://www.gabrielethies.de/blog/aufgaben-sinnvoll-strukturieren
Comment#: 00003
Date: 2023-08-11
User: Radim
"How to eliminate fifty percent of your business worries.
Everyone who wishes to present a problem to me must first prepare and submit a memorandum answering these four questions:
1. What is the problem?
2. What is the cause of the problem?
3. What are all the possible solutions of the problem?
4. What solution do you suggest?
My associates rarely come to me now with their problems. Why? Because they've discovered that in order to answer those four questions, they have to get all the facts and think their problems through. And they've done that, they find in three-fourths of the the cases they don't have to consult me at all because the proper solution has popped out like a piece o fbread popping up from an electric toaster. Even in those cases where consultation is snecessary the discussion takes about one-third of the time formely required because it proceeds along an orderly, logical path to a reason conclusion."
- Dale Carnegie. Crescent News (1944). How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKzlc_N2yxw (01:07:50 - 01:09:53)
Comment#: 00004
Date: 2023-08-11
User: Radim
"Basic techniques in analysing worry:
Rule 1 - get the fact. Half the worry in the wold is caused by people trying to make decisions before they have sufficient knowledge on which to base a decision.
Rule 2 - after carefully weighing all the facts come to a decision.
Rule 3 - once a decision is carefully reached, act, get busy carrying out your decision and dismiss all enxiety about the outcome.
Rule 4 - when you or any of your associates are tempted to worry about a problem, write out and anser the following questions:
a) What is the problem?
b) What is the cause of the problem?
c) What are all possible solutions?
d) What is the best solution?"
- Dale Carnegie. Crescent News (1944). How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKzlc_N2yxw (01:12:50 - 01:13:50)
Comment#: 00005
Date: 2023-09-11
User: Radim
Does it make sense to think about digitalization if we don't see any use case?
"If you don't see any practical use case or clear benefit for digitalization in your specific situation, it may not make sense to pursue it blindly. Digitalization should always align with your organization's goals and needs. Here are some considerations:
1. Assess Business Objectives: Start by identifying your organization's objectives and challenges. Digitalization should align with your strategic goals, whether it's improving efficiency, reaching new markets, enhancing customer experiences, or reducing costs.
2. Customer Demands: Consider whether your customers or clients expect or would benefit from digital solutions. If there's no demand for digital services, investing in them may not provide a return on investment.
3. Competitive Landscape: Analyze your competition. If your competitors are effectively utilizing digital technologies to gain a competitive advantage, it might be necessary to explore digitalization to stay relevant.
4. Cost-Benefit Analysis: Conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis to determine if the potential benefits of digitalization outweigh the costs. If the investment doesn't offer a reasonable return, it might not be justified.
5. Resource Availability: Evaluate whether you have the necessary resources, including financial resources, technical expertise, and staff training, to implement and sustain digital solutions effectively.
6. Future Growth: Consider the scalability of your organization. Even if you don't currently see a clear use case for digitalization, it's essential to think about your organization's future growth and whether digital technologies could play a role in that growth.
7. Technology Trends: Stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies. While there may not be an immediate use case, technological advancements could create new opportunities down the line.
8. Customer Feedback: Engage with your customers or stakeholders to gather feedback on their needs and preferences. They may provide insights that could uncover potential use cases for digitalization.
9. Pilot Projects: Instead of a full-scale digital transformation, consider starting with smaller pilot projects to test the waters and assess the feasibility and impact of digital solutions in a controlled environment.
10. Consult Experts: Seek advice from digital transformation consultants or experts in your industry. They can provide insights into potential use cases and help you determine if digitalization is appropriate for your organization.
In some cases, it may indeed be the case that digitalization doesn't make sense for your organization at a given time. However, it's essential to regularly revisit this assessment as technology and business landscapes evolve. What might not be relevant today could become essential in the future. Ultimately, the decision to pursue digitalization should be guided by a thorough understanding of your organization's unique needs and circumstances."
- https://chat.openai.com (Does it make sense to think about digitalization if we don't see any use case?)
Comment#: 00006
Date: 2023-09-13
User: Radim
Often the person who knows the answer or the right way is closer than you think. All you have to do is ask.
Comment#: 00007
Date: 2023-10-02
User: Radim
How to get the right intuition?
"Developing and honing your intuition can be a valuable skill, but it's important to remember that intuition is inherently subjective and can't always be "right" in an objective sense. However, you can work on improving the accuracy and reliability of your intuition by following these tips:
1. Increase Your Knowledge and Experience: The more you know about a particular subject or domain, the better your intuition is likely to be within that area. Gain expertise and experience through study, practice, and exposure.
2. Trust Your Gut: Pay attention to your gut feelings or initial impressions. Sometimes, your subconscious mind processes information faster than your conscious mind, leading to intuitive insights. Don't dismiss these feelings outright; give them consideration.
3. Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. This self-awareness can improve your ability to recognize and trust your intuition.
4. Keep a Journal: Maintain a journal where you record your intuitive hunches and the outcomes. Over time, this can help you assess the accuracy of your intuition and learn from your experiences.
5. Seek Feedback: Discuss your intuitive insights with trusted friends, mentors, or colleagues. They can provide valuable perspectives and help you refine your intuition by offering feedback on your decisions.
6. Validate with Data: When possible, seek out data or information that can confirm or refute your intuitive impressions. This can help you develop a more evidence-based form of intuition.
7. Relax and Clear Your Mind: High-stress levels or a cluttered mind can cloud your intuition. Engage in relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation to clear your mind and enhance your intuitive abilities.
8. Ask Open-Ended Questions: When facing a problem or decision, ask yourself open-ended questions and let your mind wander. This can stimulate creative and intuitive thinking.
9. Learn from Mistakes: Embrace your intuition's imperfections. When your intuition leads you astray, use those experiences as learning opportunities. Analyze what went wrong and adjust your intuition accordingly.
10. Practice Patience: Sometimes, intuition needs time to develop. Don't rush your decision-making process if you're unsure. Give yourself the space to allow your intuition to emerge.
11. Combine with Analysis: Balance your intuition with analytical thinking. For important decisions, use your intuition as an initial guide but then follow up with critical analysis and data-driven assessment.
12. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: Understand and manage your emotions effectively. Emotional intelligence can enhance your ability to perceive and interpret your own and others' emotional signals, which can inform your intuition.
Remember that intuition can vary from person to person, and it's not always infallible. It's a skill that you can refine over time, but it's also important to recognize its limitations and use it as a complementary tool alongside rational thinking and evidence-based decision-making when appropriate."
- https://chat.openai.com (How to get the right intuition?)
Comment#: 00008
Date: 2024-01-05
User: Radim
I have found the solution !!!
But unfortunately the problem did not match my solution.
:-)