Just Fix It

Problems come in all different sizes and complexities. In nearly every situation, the correct solution is obvious. Do that.

The most efficient team is one person. If you own the problem and if you know the solution, fix it. That solution is cheap, it's smart, and it will reinforce perception that you can handle the job.

For a technical problem, the least efficient team is a committee organized for socially sensitive consensus. However, committees can sometimes provide an effective screen while experts repair the problem.

External maintenance consultants? Effectiveness depends on their technical & interpersonal skills.

• If the person is a subject matter expert for the “problem”, and if they can own it entirely, life is good. This is often accomplished by a service contract.
• If the person is a subject matter expert for the “technology”, and if they will own it entirely, you will need more time & money. Results might be interesting.
• If the person is a subject matter expert for “helping solve problems”, you and your experts will invest serious time discussing & dissecting the problem. Ultimately, smart methods will minimize wasted time. However, the perception will be that fee was wasted because "he didn't know anything and we had to figure it out for ourselves".

Whenever possible, I recommend using the best advice offered by your best people. If one of those ideas fixes the problem, buy a round of pizza and adjust salaries accordingly. In nearly every situation, the correct solution is obvious. Do that.

When the best ideas fail, or when next alternatives become too expensive, risky, or time consuming; then a more considered approach is needed. Get help! Has your team failed? No. Failure probably isn’t an option. The team simply hasn't succeeded yet. Eventually, after the consultant finishes directing efforts to analyze and resolve the problem, the perception (again) will be that the consultant didn't know anything and we had to solve it ourselves.

Consultant problem solvers can be from inside or outside the company. Consultants can help lead your team through a rapid, detailed analysis to the solution. If the consultant is unfamiliar, check for these essential attributes:

• knowledgeable (self explanitory),
• intelligent (quick information uptake earns team’s respect),
• respectful (needs to rapidly establish mutual trust),
• honest (perceptions of integrity & trust are fragile),
• flexible (a guest needs to circulate smoothly within the culture of the host company),
• pleasant (life is too short, don't welcome somebody you dislike).

 source