Find A Small Problem And Build A Simple Solution. • Hacker News Board

Re: Find A Small Problem And Build A Simple Solution.

#21

Post by tomblomfield » Fri, Nov 25, 2011, 2:16 PM UTC

highace wrote: post #17

This hit home for me. Previously we had identified a problem, but instead of just getting out there and getting started with the quickest working solution, we spent ages building a fully comprehensive service that did it all and more. The outcome: we wasted resources building things we didnt need and werent used, while our competitors sailed off into the sunset.

+1

This happens so often with early start-ups, including my own.

I wish someone had told me; Build something that provides an basic minimum quantum of utility. Release it immediately. Iterate.

Or maybe they did tell me, but I wasn't listening.

Re: Find A Small Problem And Build A Simple Solution.

#22

Post by dean » Fri, Nov 25, 2011, 3:30 PM UTC

discreteevent wrote: post #2

This may sound naive but has anyone got any advice or links to advice on the best way to find real problems to solve, big or small. Preferably small, though because with the big ones its often harder to tell whether they are something that people really want. I'm looking for a way of finding the kinds of things where its relatively easy to tell whether they have a good chance of making some money right now. Its a tal…

Rob Walling (http://www.softwarebyrob.com/) has a book called 'Start Small, Stay Small' that sounds like what you are looking for. He talks about finding a problem to solve, and has lots of practical tips and advice on how to determine if there is a market for the solution.

Re: Find A Small Problem And Build A Simple Solution.

#23

Post by j_camarena » Sat, Nov 26, 2011, 3:01 AM UTC

pbhjpbhj wrote: post #20

j_camarena wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So true. The problem i see is that people limit them selves saying "to do X first i need W and i don't have W". You need to start with anything, NOW. No excuses. NOW... then you will find a bunch of new "problems" to solve. You are in a "blind spot" until the ball starts rolling.

> You need to start with anything, NOW. No excuses. // So I've got a problem and an outline solution. I just need R&D capital and a few months in a workshop to create a prototype, get a patent and then take that looking for investments ... How do I start "NOW" with what I have, no money, no time, no workshop. Enthusiasm doesn't solve every problem.

Well; those are excuses from my point of view.

You can save money and sure you can invest less time on hackernews and more in your ptoject.

If you can't do anything of that for what you have in mind try to go for something smaller but always thinking in the long-pitch.

I'm just saying ..

Re: Find A Small Problem And Build A Simple Solution.

#24

Post by pbhjpbhj » Sat, Nov 26, 2011, 10:58 PM UTC

j_camarena wrote: post #23

pbhjpbhj wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> You need to start with anything, NOW. No excuses. // So I've got a problem and an outline solution. I just need R&D capital and a few months in a workshop to create a prototype, get a patent and then take that looking for investments ... How do I start "NOW" with what I have, no money, no time, no workshop. Enthusiasm doesn't solve every problem.

Well; those are excuses from my point of view. You can save money and sure you can invest less time on hackernews and more in your ptoject. If you can't do anything of that for what you have in mind try to go for something smaller but always thinking in the long-pitch. I'm just saying ..

I can't save money, really I can't.

Time I can probably manage a little of, but then I use HN for relaxation when I'm tired so it's not really productive time that I'm using up. The project is nothing without capital and a workshop; just dead.

Sure there's other things to do but then I'm giving up on the project and that would be falling to the point you attacked that to do X [this project] I need Y and Z.