We all love being heroes, especially when it comes to creative projects. We want to be that one person that comes up with the brilliant idea that makes others envious of our genius.
In a perfect world, we’d easily be able to do that on our own, every single time, but alas, we’re just human. Sometimes we need a little support. Sometimes more than one person is involved in the creative process.
This is where collaborative problem solving comes into play. Since it takes a village to raise a child, doesn’t it make sense that it takes more than one person to solve design problems for better solutions? But, with every good thing, there are some cons, so here’s a balanced look at the pros and cons of this type of problem solving.
PRO: More Minds Lead To Better Ideas
The most obvious benefit of collaborative problem solving is more minds do lead to better ideas. We’d never have an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy (exploding models excluded of course) if it weren’t for multiple people working together to hash out the final concept.
It’s important to not just work with other designers either. For instance, with UX design on an app, work alongside the programmers to create a more cohesive finished product. When collaborating as a team, the finished product is something everyone can be proud of.
CON: It’s Easy To Get Side-Tracked
Too many ideas leave you wondering where to go next.
On the other side of better ideas comes the very likely possibility of getting side-tracked. Think about it a second. We go from our own mind to dozens of great ideas being thrown about haphazardly. It’s extremely easy to bounce from idea to idea and completely lose track of the original goal. This can make collaborative problem solving more time consuming, but with practice, it’s easy to recover from distractions and come out on the other side with a final incredible idea.
PRO: Understand The End User Better
The purpose of UX design is to “meet the exact needs of the customer.” The only way to do this effectively is through collaborative problem solving. With multiple people, we get varying perspectives. For instance, you might see one issue while someone else sees an entirely different issue. By collaborating, both issues are addressed versus just one. Adding in the actual customer to the problem solving process yields even better results.
CON: Everyone Isn’t Going To Agree
It’s going to be rare for everyone to immediately agree on a final solution. Naturally, we all want it to be our individual ideas that make it, but compromise is necessary. It can also draw out the problem solving process.
For instance, have you ever wondered why a company teases a new product or app, but takes forever to release it? Part of the problem is getting all the people involved to agree on final features, the design and even what the main purpose or goal is. Sadly, this takes time and may lead to some disagreements here and there.
PRO: See Different Parts Of A Problem
Problems are very rarely black and white. Finding the right solution means seeing all the different aspects of a problem along with various ways to solve each aspect. Through collaborative problem solving, it’s easier to break down a complex problem in to more manageable chunks. This approach allows us to focus not just on the end goal, but solving problems more efficiently.
CON: Projects Can Get Disjointed
Obviously, when UX design goes beyond one or two people, there’s the possibility of a disjointed project. Ideas turn into individual projects and when it all comes back together, it’s nothing like what was originally envisioned. The key to overcoming this obstacle is to collaborate throughout a project, not just during the idea phase.
PRO: Leaves No One Out
It’s not uncommon for people to feel left out during UX design projects, especially clients. Collaborative problem solving brings us all together. Instead of people complaining about not being heard, everyone gets the chance to have their say and contribute throughout. It’s only when a team works together that a project sees its true potential.
PRO/CON: You’re Not On Your Own
This depends on you personally. Some people see this a pro, but others still prefer to work solo. Before any project, consider the pros and cons of collaborative problem solving. This could make the difference between an okay design and the one that amazes even yourself.
Images: Perry Grone, Joel Bez, Duncan Hull,