Multitrack
Notes
Multitrack is when we decide to spend more time on a task because we want to brainstorm and generate multiple alternatives, rather than picking only a single option.
The advantages are:
- Cognitive distancing - When we get criticized/feedback for our single solution, we often get defensive or ignore it, but when we have created multiple solutions, we are less Attachment to each one, more distanced, and thus more able to accept and apply Feedback
- Exploration - our first solution is often the "obvious" one, a more basic/simplistic solution. Forcing us to think about a second or a third will increase chances of creativity.
- Parallel improvements - each solution can be an answer to the drawbacks of the other ones, thus when a drawback is found, it is not a step backwards, but rather forward for a different solution.
- Comparison - by having multiple options, it is easier to compare, get perspective, and identity flaws in each version. Zoom out
This idea supports the notion of practice beats perfection, that it is hardly likely that we would be able to find the best solution on the first try/idea we have, so generating multiple options gives us higher certainty for success. This is also related to the idea of Diversity, in many cases finding a single metric that covers all options/potential uses is very difficult if not impossible, one reason could be Goodhart’s Law. Using multiple options increases the richness of our method, which enables us to create a better proxy, while avoiding more of the disadvantages.
Visual
Overview
🔼Topic:: workflows (MOC) ↩️Origin:: Decisive (book) 🔗Link::