The Art of Asking Questions

This is great stuff. Thanks for sharing, PWSlack.

I agree with Steve. Good stuff.

I opined the same a few days ago. Your link offers more thoughtful discussion.

Good article.
Half the problem is people don't actually know what they need to ask, or they ask the wrong question.
Conversely people don't answer the question posed or they prevaricate or they simply can't be ar$ed.
Trying to get a concise spec' for a 'special' is like trying to get blood out of a stone.
Classic from last week:-
Ccustomer wants unit pre-wired.
I ask for details of wire type, length, colour etc.
'Oh whatever you think is ok'.
So we supply the unit prewired with a cable which has black numbered cores, which of course the customer is unhappy with.
Del

Try getting definitive inputs to specification from the R&D lot...when you're the one who then has to front up to vendors. Even when I've got them to tell me what numbers they want in the spec (flow rate, pressures for example) when we get in the room with the vendors...they flipping well change their minds!!!

Mind you, after 8 months, I've almost got them trained....

I agree both with PW's article and your answer, too many people don't want to understand or even answer the question.....

There is a legend of Epimenides traveling to visit the Buddha.

On arriving, Epimenides asks, "What is the best question that can be asked, and what is the best answer?"

The Buddha replies, "The best question that can be asked is the question you are now asking, and the best answer is the answer I am now giving."

This is your koan for today....

--Eugen I

Thank you PWSlack, great article.