How many times have you heard the “try, try again” comment? Or, alternatively, variations on “if at first you don’t succeed, try harder”? It’s an approach to problem-solving which is time-honoured but I have to wonder how smart or efficient it is. I’m reminded that one definition of insanity is repeating the same actions and expecting a different outcome (as per Albert Einstein, I believe).
Recently, I met someone who spoke about using a Sudoku approach to problem solving. The imagery stuck with me and we chatted further. In essence, the point being made was that once one has determined that a valid or desired solution is possible (which is a non-trivial point), there is almost always more than one way to achieve that solution.
By the way, for those not Sudoko cognoscenti, a Sudoku puzzle is a square 9×9 matrix of cells, each containing a number between 1 and 9, arranged in such a way that all nine rows, columns and non-overlapping 3×3 matrices contain all 9 digits. The trick is that the puzzle is presented with varying numbers of empty cells (determined by the level of difficulty) and one has to determine the missing values.
The interesting thing about this conceptualisation of a problem is that reaching a deadlock is simply a signal to take a step “sideways” and come at the problem from a different angle or to try a different algorithm. When solving a Sudoku, such sideways steps are routine as one expects to make a certain amount of progress using one algorithm and then to have to switch tacks when the algorithm in use reaches the end of its immediate usefulness. This switching between algorithms is so routine that I doubt the experienced Sudoku solver even notices their switching approaches.
As Business Continuity or Emergency planners, we need to maintain and cultivate that mental agility. I think we are, inherently, optimists in that we believe we can deal with whatever comes our way. We need to underpin that optimism with “Sudoku thinking” if we are to reach our objectives.