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I solve hard problems better when I have quiet time where I can think through the problem. Some people do think by talking but I imagine most engineers do not
by mattm 16y ago
I solve hard problems better when I have quiet time where I can think through the problem. Some people do think by talking but I imagine most engineers do not fall into this category.
- kschrader 16y agoMany companies, software (Facebook) and otherwise (Toyota) have open layouts to encourage problem solving in groups. Most of the good engineers I know are just as adept at hashing out a solution on a whiteboard as they are doing it quietly by themselves, and, given the sample set that I've seen over the years, I've found that the collaborative solutions tends to be better.
- andrewbadera 16y agoEffectiveness of group brainstorming was disproven years ago.
- lonestar 16y agoDo you have a reference for this? I'd be interested in reading it.
- regularfry 16y agoIf you can find a copy of 59 Seconds, by Richard Wiseman, it's mentioned in there (with references, if I remember correctly). I don't have my copy handy.
- deleted 16y ago[deleted]
- kscaldef 16y agoProblem solving is not the same thing as brainstorming. Brainstorming is deliberately loosely structured and undirected. A group of engineers huddled around a whiteboard or a monitor are exactly the opposite: highly focused on the details of a single problem.
- wyclif 16y agoFrankly, I hate those open layouts. And please understand: this is not an either/or equation. I agree that group problem solving can be very effective. But a company with good workflow will have large rooms devoted to group work like that. If I'm working as a programmer or engineer, I want a real office with a door that closes. Under normal circumstances, lack of interruption in your work environment is the biggest factor I've found in increasing productivity.
- sofuture 16y agoBeing a 'real' in-person employee doesn't mean you don't have quiet time to think through problems.