Ask questions!

Article#: 00027

Date: 2020-08-22

Author: Radim

Never stop asking questions.
It is the the most efficient way to gain deeper insights into the project.
If you keep raising questions, you will keep finding better answers and implementing exactly what needs to be done.

First try to figure out the answer by reading available documents (RTFM).

Never assume anything - rather ask.
Asking the right questions gives you the answers you need to move forward in the right direction.
It is very important that new team mates can get help from more experienced colleagues whenever they need to.
They shouldn't feel like they're bothering with their questions.

Make sure you ask the right people.
Also, never forget that other people's time is important and should be respected.
Before you ask, write a short summary of your problem and think how to properly formulate clear question.
If your question doesn't need to be answered immediately, send an email.
Email gives the reader time to consider what you've written, and choose a convenient time to work on your problem.

© Radim-Automation, 2020–2025. All rights reserved.
Sharing of this article is permitted with proper attribution (link to the original page).

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Comment#: 00001

Date: 2021-07-12

User: Radim

When you ask a question, say why you are asking or what the need is.

Comment#: 00002

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#: 00003

Date: 2022-12-26

User: Radim

"A logical exercise in which project managers must engage is to continually ask a series of "What if?" questions. This forces the project manager and the team to search out likely problem areas actively rather than wait for trouble to find them.
An important side note: Research has demonstrated that the project managers who spend adequate up-front time developing a series of "What if?" scenarios and their responses to them are more successful than those who operate in a purely reactive manner, waiting until problems occur before weighing their various responses."
- Jeffrey K. Pinto, Om P. Kharbanda. Business Horizons (1996). How to fail in project management (without really trying) (Page 48).

Comment#: 00004

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#: 00005

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#: 00007

Date: 2023-09-06

User: Radim

What does the customer need?

"Understanding what a customer needs is a fundamental aspect of providing good customer service and delivering products or services that meet their expectations. Customer needs can vary depending on the context, industry, and individual preferences, but they generally fall into several categories:

1. Basic Needs: These are the essential requirements that customers expect to be met. For example, if someone is buying a smartphone, their basic needs might include making calls, sending texts, and accessing the internet.

2. Functional Needs: Functional needs go beyond the basics and encompass the specific features or capabilities that customers are looking for. In the smartphone example, this could include a high-quality camera, long battery life, or a specific operating system.

3. Emotional Needs: Customers often have emotional needs tied to their purchases. They may want to feel a sense of belonging, prestige, or security when buying a product or service. For instance, luxury car buyers may seek a sense of status and prestige.

4. Convenience: Many customers value convenience. This can include factors like ease of purchase, user-friendliness, and accessibility. E-commerce websites, for instance, need to be easy to navigate to meet this need.

5. Price and Value: Customers often want to get good value for their money. They may prioritize finding products or services that offer a balance between quality and affordability.

6. Customer Support: Excellent customer service and support are essential for addressing customer needs. Prompt responses, helpful information, and problem resolution are key components.

7. Customization and Personalization: Some customers value products or services that can be tailored to their specific preferences. This could include personalized recommendations on an e-commerce site or customizable software settings.

8. Quality and Reliability: Many customers prioritize quality and reliability. They want products that work as expected and are built to last, reducing the need for repairs or replacements.

9. Sustainability and Ethics: An increasing number of customers are concerned about the environmental and ethical impact of their purchases. They may seek products or services that align with their values in terms of sustainability and social responsibility.

10. Feedback and Input: Customers also need a way to provide feedback and input, whether it's to express concerns, make suggestions, or report issues. This helps companies improve their offerings.

To understand what a specific customer needs, it's crucial to engage in effective communication, actively listen to their requirements, ask clarifying questions, and gather feedback. This can be done through surveys, focus groups, customer interviews, or simply by interacting with customers in the course of business. Meeting these needs is key to building customer loyalty and growing a successful business."

- https://chat.openai.com (What does the customer need?)

Comment#: 00008

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#: 00009

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#: 00010

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#: 00012

Date: 2023-10-06

User: Radim

"Having the right boss early in your career is a huge blessing."
- Sandeep M.

Comment#: 00013

Date: 2024-01-05

User: Radim

I have found the solution !!!
But unfortunately the problem did not match my solution.
:-)

Comment#: 00014

Date: 2025-02-14

User: Radim

The 3 eras of programming: How we learn to code has evolved

1. Before the internet
In the pre-internet era, programmers relied on books, printed manuals, and personal experience. If they encountered a problem, they had to solve it through trial and error or by consulting colleagues. Debugging was slow, and every line of code was the result of hard-earned knowledge.

2. The internet era (pre-AI)
With the rise of the internet, everything changed. Documentation became instantly accessible, forums like Stack Overflow emerged, and learning to code became easier than ever. Programmers stopped memorizing everything and started searching for solutions instead — chances were, someone had already solved the same problem before.

3. The age of AI
And today? Programmers don’t just search for solutions — they have them generated. AI assists with writing code, debugging, and suggesting optimal approaches. Learning now involves experimenting with AI tools that don’t just provide answers but also explain them. More than knowing syntax, it’s about knowing how to ask the right questions.

How will the role of programmers evolve next?
What are your experiences with these changes?

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