Leadership League weekly : 17 Proven Steps to Make Anything Work in IT - Your Ultimate Problem Solving Guide

Every great solution starts with a simple belief: no matter how complex the problem, you can make it work. However, with a structured approach and the right mindset, it’s achievable. Here’s a step-by-step guide to make anything work in IT:

1. Understand the Problem Clearly

• Start by deeply understanding the task or issue.
• Ask questions: What is the goal? What’s not working? What does success look like?
• Don’t proceed until the problem is clear in your mind.

2. Break It into Smaller Steps

• Divide the task into smaller, manageable parts.
• Tackle one part at a time to avoid overwhelm.
• Example: Building an application? Break it into setup, coding, testing, and deployment.

3. Involvement – Keep Thinking About It

• Stay mentally involved even when not actively working on it.
• Think of solutions during breaks or downtime.
• Many breakthroughs happen when you least expect them, like while taking a walk.

4. Do Your Research

• Use Google, forums, YouTube, and online communities to gather insights.
• Learn from others who’ve solved similar problems.
• Explore tools and libraries that can simplify your task.

5. Learn the Basics of Tools

• Understand the tools or technologies required.
• Even a basic understanding can take you far.
• Example: If using Docker, start with simple tutorials before deploying complex setups.

6. Collaborate and Ask for Help

• IT thrives on teamwork. Don’t hesitate to ask peers, mentors, or online communities for guidance.
• A second pair of eyes can catch something you missed.

7. Test as You Go

• Test every step before moving forward.
• Catching mistakes early prevents them from snowballing into bigger issues.
• Example: Write and test small blocks of code rather than the entire program.

8. Think Logically and Stay Organized

• IT solutions rely on logic. Think step-by-step and identify where the issue lies.
• Use tools like flowcharts or diagrams to organize your thoughts.

9. Keep Things Simple

• Start with the simplest solution that works.
• Avoid overcomplicating things unless absolutely necessary.

10. Document Everything

• Write down what you’ve done and why.
• Documentation helps you retrace your steps if things go wrong.

11. Don’t Fear Mistakes

• Mistakes are part of the process. They’re learning opportunities.
• Debugging is a natural part of IT. Be patient.

12. Stay Patient and Consistent

• IT work requires time and persistence.
• Avoid rushing; focus on completing each step methodically.

13. Think from the End User’s Perspective

• Always keep the end goal and user experience in mind.
• Does the solution solve the problem effectively? Is it user-friendly?

14. Keep Revisiting the Problem

• If you hit a dead end, revisit the problem.
• Sometimes stepping away and returning with fresh eyes can reveal new insights.

15. Experiment and Innovate

• Don’t be afraid to try new approaches or tools.
• Experimentation often leads to better, faster, or more efficient solutions.

16. Learn from Experience

• Reflect on what worked and what didn’t.
• Use each task as a learning opportunity to improve your skills.

17. Celebrate Small Wins

• Completing even a small step is progress.
• Celebrate these wins to keep yourself motivated.

By following these steps, and involving yourself deeply, you can make anything work in IT. The key is involvement, persistence, logical thinking, and continuous learning.