When we work with future scenarios, innovation and creative processes, it is crucial to understand the type of problem we have to deal with. Not all problems are the same. By understanding the inherent complexity of complex problems, we can also find the right creative approaches.
Some problems require everything to work in order for us to get a good result, while other problems can be solved if we only have one really strong link that compensates for weaknesses. In many situations where human behavior plays a role, things get even more complex – where a single weakness can overcome a strength, or a single strength can be negated by chance.
Let’s dive into the differences between Weak-Link and Strong-Link problems, and how we can use this thinking to better understand and formulate problems.
Weak-link problems – where everything has to work
Weak-link problems are those where the weakest link determines the entire result. If a single part of the chain breaks, everything falls apart.
Examples of Weak-Link problems are
- Food chains
If one link in the food supply chain fails (e.g. transportation, storage or refrigeration), the food will go bad, no matter how good the other links are. - IT security
It doesn’t matter how advanced security systems an organization has if an employee uses “1234” as a password. - Laws and regulations
If a single court or institution fails, the legal system can become corrupt and the rule of law is undermined.
How do we deal with Weak-Link problems?
To deal with Weak-Link problems, it is crucial to ensure that all links in the chain are strong, because a single weakness can cause the entire system to fail. Therefore, we need to identify and address weaknesses in time. An effective way to do this is to focus on the lowest common denominator and ask ourselves the question: What is the weakest link, and how can we strengthen it? By systematically strengthening the most vulnerable parts, we reduce the risk that a single deficiency will have major consequences. In addition, redundancy and backup are important strategies in critical systems. By having backup solutions in place, we can prevent a single failure from leading to a total collapse, which makes the system more robust and resilient.
Strong-link problems – when strength can compensate for weaknesses
In stark contrast to Weak-Link problems, there are Strong-Link problems, where the most important thing is that we have something that is really good – even if some parts are weak.
Examples of Strong-Link problems are
- Football and sports
A team may have a few mediocre players, but if they also have a Zlatan, Maradona or Pelé, they can still win. - Research and innovation
A research team may consist of many mediocre researchers, but if one person makes a crucial breakthrough, the whole team can succeed. - Technology and startups
A new tech startup may have many problems, but if it has a unique, revolutionary technology, it can still succeed.
How do we deal with Strong-Link problems?
To address Strong-Link problems, it is important to focus on the strongest link, as a single strength can be crucial to success. Instead of leveling out quality everywhere, we should ask ourselves: What is our “game-changer”? What could be our Zlatan – the factor that really makes a difference? Once we have identified this strength, it is not just about having it in place, but also about maximizing its effect. A strong link in itself is not enough – we must create the conditions for it to have the greatest impact possible and influence the outcome in the best way.
In reality, problems are often a mixture of Weak-Link and Strong-Link dynamics, where a weakness can trump a strength – or where a strength can be lost due to external factors.
Weak-Strong problems – When a weakness can lower a strength
Here, a single mistake, a negative event or a reputation can win over strong credentials.
Examples include
- Election campaigns
A politician may have a strong campaign and good ideas, but a reputation or scandal can quickly destroy everything. - Brand building
A company may have built a strong reputation over years, but a single PR disaster can destroy trust. - Social norms
A person may have a strong performance at work, but if a bad perception spreads, it can still hinder their career.
Strategy for Weak-Strong problems:
To deal with Weak-Strong problems, a strategy is required that minimizes the risk that a small weakness will have a disproportionately large impact. The first step is to create robustness – how can we build a system that can withstand single weaknesses without the entire structure collapsing? Are there examples where a small flaw has caused major problems in the past, and how can we prevent this in the future?
We may also need to monitor risks. What potential threats can we identify? Are there any weak points that, if noticed by competitors or the public, could negatively affect us? In a digital world, rumors and negative narratives can spread quickly, making it extra important to have a strategy for detecting and responding to such threats in time.
Sometimes it is also about controlling the narrative. In contexts where perception plays a crucial role, a weakness can grow larger if left unaddressed. How can we proactively communicate our strengths so that they outshine the weaknesses? How do we ensure that our story is the dominant one? By being one step ahead, we can prevent small flaws from becoming big problems and at the same time strengthen our position.
Strong-weak problem – when a strength can be lost
Here, a great strength can be useless if it is not used correctly, or if chance decides.
Examples are
- Betamax vs. VHS
Betamax was technically superior, but VHS won because more people had already started using it, which made it difficult to switch systems. - Market dominance
A company may have the best product on the market, but if customers are already in the habit of buying something else, it doesn’t matter. - Talent in the wrong context
A brilliant researcher at a university without resources can miss out on their potential, while a mediocre researcher in the right place can make a breakthrough.
Strategy for Strong-Weak problems:
To deal with Strong-Weak problems, we need a strategy that ensures that our strengths actually have an impact. The first step is to distribute the strength in the right way – how do we ensure that our advantages are used where they are most beneficial? Are there situations where we have a fantastic resource but where it is not used optimally? An example might be a company with a brilliant product developer, but if he or she is stuck in internal processes and administration, the strength never reaches the market.
Another way is to break established patterns. In many cases, it is not the best solution that wins, but the one that people are already used to. How can we create incentives to get people to choose the better alternative? Are there behaviors that keep customers or employees in old ways of working, even though there are more effective alternatives? A classic example is how VHS beat out Betamax, despite Betamax being technically superior – habits and access to content weighed more heavily than quality.
We may also need to deal with timing and context. A brilliant idea at the wrong time can be a flop, while the same idea in the right context can change an entire industry. Is the market ready for what we want to launch? Is there a clear path to get people to embrace the change? We need to ask ourselves: How do we ensure that the right solution is introduced at the right time and in the right way? Many innovations have failed not because they were bad, but because they came too early or without the right context to succeed.
How do we formulate problems based on these insights?
When we are faced with a problem, we should first ask ourselves what type of problem we are dealing with:
- Is it a Weak-Link problem?
In that case, we need to ensure that all links are working and focus on the weakest link. Creative problem solving is often about generating new ways of feedback and redundancy. - Is it a Strong-Link problem?
Then we need to focus on what can make the biggest difference and maximize the effect of our strongest resources. Here we should direct creativity towards challenging and creating something fantastic. - Is it a Weak-Strong problem?
Then we need to identify weaknesses that can threaten a strong performance and work proactively to protect ourselves against this. Here, creatively designed scenarios can help us to be mentally prepared and we can also work on creating storytelling. - Is it a Strong-Weak problem?
Then we need to ensure that a strength actually has an effect, through the right timing, the right context and the right strategic placement. In this case, it may be chance that rules, therefore a good way is to use chance yourself when generating ideas with different thought triggers and to generate ideas with a focus on news value and impact.
Understanding this dynamic is crucial for future scenarios, innovation processes and strategy development. By formulating problems correctly, we can choose the right approach and increase the likelihood of success.
