Dr. Entrepreneur, Let�s Run A Differential Diagnosis

Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 11:42am by David Askaripour in Operations

A differential diagnosis is a method that doctors use to identify what a particular disease is. Doctors will make a list of possibilities then sit in a room and try to figure out, one by one, which disease makes the most sense based upon the patients current symptoms, past symptoms, family history, recent accidents, and a slew of other variables that may be pertinent to the patent�s condition. Tests are administered and questions are answered little by little — the doctors then begin to narrow the list and lock in on the disease. Ultimately, (hopefully) coming up with a solution.

I�m absolutely fascinated with this particular method that doctors use to figure out problems.

Recognize that there�s a problem
Make a list of possibilities for that problem
Look into previous issues that may have caused the problem
Brainstorm and question those possibilities
Run a series of tests and begin to narrow down the list
Lock in on the problem and provide a solution

I think that entrepreneurs and their teams should run a differential diagnosis on their business at least once a week — of course, the context will be different unless you�re in the business of curing diseases.

Once a week gather your team into a room, get some coffee, beer, tea, food, whatever you need to keep you in the room without running out every few minutes for a break. Make sure you have a big whiteboard, a dry eraser, and a bunch of markers. Then prepare to start thinking.

What the purpose here? The purpose of this diagnosis is the measure the health of your business. Here�s a sample template of how the meeting should be run and what you may want to start listing out on the whiteboard:

What are the current problems and inefficiencies in the business?
What are some possible solutions to those problems?
Are there any previous issues that may have caused these problems? If so, who was responsible for those issues and what was their reasoning for them?
Begin brainstorming about solutions to these problems. Don�t be scared. Really, throw anything you have out in the open.
List a series of tests and improvements that you can implement immediately to remedy the problems.
Run those tests and meet again to begin narrowing down that list and share feedback on those tests.

The purpose of such a diagnosis for your company is to keep everyone in check and to stay on top of the health of your business. The key is to really let loose and begin a hardcore brainstorming session where nobody is scared to start shouting out possibilities, solutions, ideas, theories, etc. anything that�s on their mind — no matter how wacky or absurd it may sound.

Give it a shot — stat!

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