Finding the needs
In a philosophical wording we can ask the following questions. How is the world evolving and in which direction? How are we evolving in this world? Which needs can we identify, and which problem need to be solved?
In an actual product context, the “world” may be within an existing product or within a specific industry.
System Model
As a start, a tentative system model is defined. It is fully understood that this model will be changed.
Use Cases
Use cases are defined. This may cause several refinements of the system model.
Scenarios
For each Use Case tentative scenarios are described. This may cause several refinements of the system model.
From the scenarios user requirements can be elicited. The refined system model will be the basis for architecture and topology requirements.
First Principles
The mindset of First Principles thinking is adhered to when refining the understanding of the problem and the solutions.
A part of this thinking is the Iterating and challenging of the system model, use cases and scenarios .
First principle can be seen as the true essence of the Lean approach. Other notions are MVP – Minimal Viable Product and the XP notion of DoTheSimplestThingThatCouldPossiblyWork. Also the Keep It Simple Stupid and Less Is More fits into this.
That said, it is understood that there are no “simple” solutions to “complex” problems as both Murphy and Gödel have explained.