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Heuristic evaluation for signals
In complex organisations, metrics and dashboards can reassure us even when things are quietly going wrong. A heuristic is not a tool for design alone — it is a way of asking better questions of your data, your processes, and your assumptions. This article shows a simple method for using one heuristic evaluation question to…
Mastering Problem Solving with AI
Identifying Symptoms, Root Causes, and Crafting Effective Prompts for Context-Driven Solutions How to Solve Problems with AI: A Step-by-Step Guide Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a powerful tool in tackling complex problems across various fields. However, effectively solving problems with AI requires more than just feeding data into a model – it demands a structured…
THE SIGNAL IN THE NOISE
A Failure Hackers Story – when an organisation drowns in metrics, dashboards, and KPIs – but misses the one signal that actually matters. 1. Everything Was Being Measured At SynapseScale, nothing escaped measurement. The London-based SaaS company sold workflow automation software to large enterprises. At 300 employees, it had recently crossed the invisible threshold where start-up…
How to Use ChatGPT Prompt Structures for
Effective Root Cause Analysis and Counter-Arguments Exploration Organisations face the perennial challenge of problem-solving, which often requires a deep dive into the origins of issues—commonly known as root cause analysis. Traditional methodologies have their merit, but with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly the rise of models like ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer), we have…
When to Pivot
Understanding Churn, Engagement, and Development Speed Metrics to Identify Problem-Solution Fit In the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship and product development, the ability to identify when to pivot is a critical skill. A pivot – a strategic shift in business strategy or product design – can mean the difference between success and failure. But how do…
Broken at the Hand-off
1. Promises in the Boardroom The applause in the London headquarters boardroom could be heard down the corridor. The Chief Executive of GlobalAid International — a humanitarian NGO working across 14 countries — had just announced the launch of Project Beacon, an ambitious digital transformation initiative designed to unify field operations, donor reporting, and beneficiary support…
How to Surface and Test Assumptions
Prevent Project Failure Caused by Silent Misalignments Imagine a project team bustling with activity, everyone nodding in agreement during meetings, milestones being ticked off diligently, and yet, somewhere down the line, the project derails. Deadlines slip, deliverables don’t meet expectations, and frustration mounts. The perplexing question is: how did this happen when everyone seemed on…
Mastering Effective Decision Making
Clarifying Authority to Empower Teams and Avoid Paralysis In today’s fast-paced and complex business world, effective decision making is a critical skill for leaders and teams alike. Yet, one of the most common – and most frustrating – barriers to swift, confident choices is uncertainty about who has the authority to decide. When decision-making roles…
THE DATA MIRAGE
1. When the Dashboards Lied The numbers looked perfect. NovaGene Analytics — a 120-person biotech scale-up in Oxford — had just launched its long-awaited “Insight Engine,” a machine-learning platform promising to predict which early-stage drug candidates were most likely to succeed. Investors loved it. Customers lined up for demos. Leadership celebrated. And the dashboards… the…
