The Power of Five: How Celebrating Friendship Teaches the Art of Product Management Problem Solving

As the year drew to a close, the crisp January air settled into the bustling village of Punjab, setting the stage for a special occasion. For Paramjeet and Rashi, it was an extra special time—one they had been eagerly anticipating. They had planned a grand celebration to mark their anniversary, and by pure serendipity, it coincided with the vibrant festival of Lohri. This created a perfect storm of joy, and after months of meticulous preparation, their farmhouse—a rustic retreat filled with cherished memories—would be the backdrop for this unforgettable week.

But as the saying goes, "No plan survives contact with reality." What followed would prove to be a prime example of how to handle the unexpected. In the midst of it all, I found myself, as a close friend, feeling a deep sense of responsibility. My role was simple: to be there for my friends, offer fresh perspectives when needed, and quietly drive solutions when things started to go awry.

Plans Turned to Chaos

The golden rays of the setting sun bathed the fields in warmth as Paramjeet and Rashi pulled into the driveway of their farmhouse. A deep sense of pride swelled within them. After months of planning, the day had finally arrived. It wasn’t just any celebration—it was a double one, marking five years of a cherished friendship, coinciding with the lively festival of Lohri.

They had poured their hearts into every detail—from the grand decorations to the carefully curated Bollywood-themed dinner. The farmhouse, surrounded by the lush, rolling fields of Punjab, had been transformed into a vibrant wonderland. Garlands of marigolds draped the rafters, and the sweet scent of fresh flowers filled the air. Twinkling fairy lights crisscrossed the lawn, casting a magical glow over the festivities to come. Large, colorful cloths in reds, yellows, and greens swirled around the room, evoking the grandeur of a Bollywood movie set.

Guests had been asked to come dressed as their favorite Bollywood characters, further amplifying the excitement. Everyone was expected to embrace the extravagance of the evening, let loose, and create memories. Paramjeet and Rashi exchanged a look of satisfaction as they took in the scene. It was everything they had dreamed of—a celebration that had truly come to life.

As the first guests arrived, the energy was electric. The joy of reconnecting with old friends, celebrating years of camaraderie, and anticipating a grand evening was palpable. Yet, as the night unfolded, small cracks began to appear in the carefully crafted vision.

The first sign that things were off came when the caterer—who was supposed to have arrived hours earlier—had still not shown up. Paramjeet’s usually calm demeanor faltered as he checked his watch. Rashi, ever the optimist, reassured him, though her anxious glances at the door became more frequent. "They’ll be here any minute," she said, trying to calm herself as much as him.

When the caterer finally arrived, the food that was supposed to be a feast fit for royalty fell short of expectations. The beautifully plated dishes they had envisioned had been replaced by simpler, far less impressive fare. The flavors, too, didn’t live up to the anticipation. What had been meant to be a lavish banquet now felt underwhelming—both visually and tastefully.

But the food was just one piece of the puzzle. The energy of the group—the very element they had hoped would carry the night—was also falling short. The laughter was more subdued than expected, and conversations lacked the usual sparkle. The lively Bollywood tunes, which should have had everyone dancing and singing, felt out of place. No one seemed to embrace the festive atmosphere the way Paramjeet and Rashi had imagined.

As the night wore on, what should have been an evening of Bollywood songs, dance, and joy felt increasingly awkward. Guests who typically lit up the room were now silent. Even as they dressed in their extravagant costumes—Paramjeet as a suave Bollywood hero and Rashi as a glamorous movie star—the energy felt disconnected.

Then came the most unsettling realization: there was a deep sense of disconnection among the group. It wasn’t that everyone wasn’t happy to be together—it was just that the celebration, which should have felt natural and joyous, felt forced. Conversations felt stilted, and laughter seemed strained, as though everyone was trying too hard to fill the silence. The meticulously arranged decorations, which had taken hours to perfect, no longer seemed to matter. The food, whether delicious or disappointing, became secondary to the nagging feeling that something was missing.

The night felt off from the start. Despite all the planning and effort, the grand celebration was falling far short of what they had envisioned. Rashi felt a pang of disappointment but quickly masked it with a smile, determined not to show the cracks. Paramjeet, too, fought to maintain his composure, but deep inside, the sinking feeling in his stomach was undeniable.

As the evening continued, the pair exchanged glances, their faces a mixture of confusion and frustration. What had gone wrong? Everything had been planned to perfection, or so they thought.

But in that moment, rather than letting the chaos define the night, they realized an important truth: they could either let the evening be defined by its imperfections, or they could focus on what truly mattered—the celebration of their friendship, the people they loved, and the shared memories they had created over the years.

It became clear that the night wasn’t going to follow the carefully crafted script. Instead of panicking, they understood they needed to adapt. The night was still theirs to shape—if only they could find a way to bring the joy back. But how? That was the question they needed to answer.

Turning Chaos into Celebration with 5 Problem-Solving Frameworks

When Paramjeet and Rashi set out to celebrate five years of friendship during the festive Lohri season, they never imagined the evening would veer off track. With delayed caterers, underwhelming food, and a drop in guest energy, the celebration seemed on the verge of chaos. But instead of succumbing to frustration, they chose to work together to tackle each problem head-on. We applied five powerful problem-solving frameworks to analyze, identify solutions, and turn the evening around, ensuring it would be a memorable celebration for all the right reasons.

By using the MECE Framework, Issue Tree Framework, Ishikawa Diagram, SCQA Framework, and Pyramid Principle, we not only addressed each issue as it arose, but also transformed the chaos into a heartwarming and joyful celebration.

Framework 1 | The MECE Framework

At this point, I could see Rashi’s frustration building up, and Paramjeet’s usual calm demeanor was beginning to crack. As the tension started to rise, I suggested we take a step back and break down the situation logically. I introduced the MECE framework (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive), something that I knew would help us stay organized and focused.

We quickly divided the problems into distinct categories

• What’s missing? Great food, high energy, and a cohesive atmosphere.
• What’s available? A group of friends, a fun atmosphere, costumes, and a backyard.

This clear structure allowed us to focus on what we had, instead of what was going wrong. Rashi immediately agreed with my suggestion, and we pivoted from the fancy Bollywood dinner to a spontaneous charades game and a casual pizza party. The group’s energy quickly lifted, and the night took a new, unexpected turn.

The Arrival of Friends

The guest list consisted of Bhakser, Vikas, Prashant, Mithali, Sagorika, Tanvi me, and Alok, close friends who had been by their side for years. The group was excited to reunite and celebrate the 5-year milestone of Paramjeet and Rashi’s friendship. However, as the evening progressed, an unexpected mishap occurred—Vikas accidentally knocked over a part of the decoration, leading to a moment of frustration.

Framework 2 | The Issue Tree Framework

As I observed the situation unfold, I could see that Paramjeet and Rashi were visibly rattled. I decided to step in and help them break down the problem using the Issue Tree Framework.

We quickly mapped out the core issue:

• Main issue: Vikas accidentally knocked over the decoration.
• Sub-issues: The group was distracted by the disruption. The decorations were damaged, but it wasn’t a critical problem. Vikas felt embarrassed, affecting his mood.

By laying out the issues clearly, we were able to focus on the root cause—the fact that Vikas felt embarrassed. I suggested a quick fix: reassure Vikas and remind the group of the bigger picture. We didn’t need perfect decorations for the night to be meaningful. A few quick words of encouragement helped Vikas shake off the embarrassment, and soon the group was back on track, enjoying each other’s company.

Setting the Stage – The Celebration of Friendship and Lohri

As the night went on, the excitement began to build, especially as they moved towards the Lohri rituals. But just as the group gathered around the bonfire pit, a storm suddenly swept in, and the wind made it impossible to light the fire. The decorations flew away, and the group was left in a tricky situation.

Framework 3 | The Ishikawa Diagram (Fishbone Diagram)

I could see the tension mounting as Rashi and Paramjeet struggled to figure out a way forward. In that moment, I suggested we try to analyze the root causes using the Ishikawa diagram, also known as the fishbone diagram. It was a simple yet effective tool to help us navigate the complexity of the situation.

We identified several key issues:

• Weather: The storm, which was completely out of our control.
• Logistics: The fire wasn’t set up properly.
• External factors: The decorations and bonfire setup had not been secured against the weather.

This analysis helped us focus on what we could still control. The bonfire might have been impossible to light, but we still had each other, and that was what mattered most. I suggested we move the rituals indoors, using a fake bonfire with lights and continue with the traditional rituals. This quick pivot allowed us to maintain the spirit of Lohri while also making the best of the situation.

Overcoming the Unexpected

The next day, as the group gathered for a Secret Santa gift exchange, another challenge arose. One of the gifts presented by Prashant (meant as a joke) was taken in bad taste, and the recipient felt uncomfortable.

Framework 4 | The SCQA Framework

As soon as I saw the tension rise, I realized that this moment could derail the fun of the celebration. I decided to step in once more and use the SCQA Framework (Situation, Complication, Question, Answer) to help us navigate the discomfort.

We broke down the issue as follows:

• Situation: Everyone was exchanging thoughtful gifts to celebrate the occasion.
• Complication: One of the gifts was inappropriate and made someone feel uncomfortable.
• Question: How could we address the discomfort without ruining the celebration?
• Answer: By using humor and lighthearted conversation to de-escalate the tension, while also reminding everyone that the true value of the exchange was the thought behind the gift, not its perfection.

I encouraged Paramjeet and Rashi to speak up and use humor to redirect the conversation. By sharing stories of their own embarrassing Secret Santa exchanges, they helped the group move past the awkwardness. The gift exchange resumed, and the mood was light again.

The Heart of the Night – Reflecting on Friendship

As the celebrations continued into the night, Paramjeet and Rashi realized that amidst all the chaos, they hadn’t had a quiet moment to reflect on their journey of friendship. Stepping aside from the group, they sat together under the night sky and reflected on the last five years. The celebration, while imperfect, had highlighted the true value of their connection.

Framework 5 | The Pyramid Principle

In this quiet moment, I noticed how Paramjeet and Rashi were processing everything that had happened. I suggested they use the Pyramid Principle to organize their thoughts. This approach would help them communicate their feelings in a clear, structured way, and deepen their understanding of each other.

Here’s how they structured their thoughts:

• Main message: “Friendship, like any meaningful relationship, is built on understanding, trust, and shared experiences.”
• Supporting Points: “We’ve been through so many challenges, yet we’ve always had each other’s back.” “The imperfect moments—like this celebration—are what make the best memories.” “It’s not about how flawless the event was, but about how we navigated the ups and downs together.”

This moment of reflection brought them closer and gave them the clarity they needed to understand what truly mattered—their bond and the memories they were creating together.

The Legacy of the Celebration

By the end of the week, Paramjeet and Rashi were exhausted but grateful. Despite the unexpected challenges—the late caterer, the storm, the awkward Secret Santa moment—the celebration had been a success because they had adapted, communicated clearly, and focused on the people they cared about. They learned valuable lessons from each challenge, using the frameworks to find solutions and keep their focus on what truly mattered: the shared experiences and the bonds that had been strengthened.