Distinguishing Problem Proximity
What Is Problem Proximity?
- the degree to which a decision-maker directly experiences, observes, or interacts with the real problem being solved.
- measures how directly someone encounters the problem they are making decisions about.
Problem Proximity as a Spectrum
| Level | Description |
|---|
| Direct Experience | The person personally encounters the problem in their work or life |
| Observed Experience | The person regularly observes the problem through users, metrics, or experiments |
| Indirect Awareness | The problem is known through reports or second-hand descriptions |
| Abstract Understanding | The problem is conceptual or hypothetical |
Relationships to Problem Proximity
What Conditions are Influenced by Problem Proximity?
| Problem Proximity | Common Outcome |
|---|
| High | Insightful solutions |
| Moderate | Partial understanding |
| Low | Assumptions dominate decisions |
Works Consulted
- Jason Fried, 37signals