In the systems engineering world the first steps to clarity about a product is a systems specification. At the top level this is a description, in broad terms, of what the machine will do. This description includes what problem you are solving and how it will solve it.

For example, if you are specifying a high resolution ultraviolet spectrometer you might start out by saying that your instrument will let a scientist study the electronic band structure of molecules. Then you would specify the exact resolution, the wavelength band, the sources, the speed to scan a region and the sample handling system.

Similarly you need to specify what problem you are solving. Next you will specify in detail what the solution must accomplish.

Notice you are not saying how the problem is solved, You are specifying what form the solution must have.

This is critical as most of us run to solve the problem without specifying to ourselves what an acceptable solution is. This is why many projects in companies fail. They rush to bring something out to compete without saying what an acceptable competitive solution would look like.

So here’s a chance to act. Write down what you want. This can be just a short phrase. Now write a detailed specification for it. Pay attention to your feelings as you do this. Carry this with you for a few days and edit it as necessary. At the end of 3 to 4 days write out a clear statement about what you desire and what is required for you to be willing to accept it. We’ll talk more about this as we meet other steps.