Instead of “how do we build a better mousetrap What are all of our options for catching mice?” Back to the example of my work with Miami Beach on sea level rise and chronic flooding. Asking, “How can Miami Beach become more resilient?” is too broad to be actionable. On the other hand, “How do we fortify our seawall?” is too narrow and may be missing other, more cost-effective opportunities (dunes, mangroves, other nature-bas infrastructure) to achieve the same result.
In this example, a better question maybe
Where are we losing money today because of sea level rise and flooding?” Changing the question has four benefits: Helps identify the relevant underlying problem. Focusing on pain points like current (not future) losses, helps identify the relevant problem, not just the one that you have the mandate or authority to solve. Creates levers for collaboration across departments.
Identifying opportunities for cities
Ruce existing expenses can help different departments see common financial interest in a large project without creating internal conflicts and competition over resources. Opens doors to nontraditional funding/financing. Seeking to understand botim database recurring financial losses associat with problems like sea level rise and flooding can lead to nontraditional funding/financing opportunities, like working with insurance or reinsurance firms or using resilience bonds.
Focuses attention on the communities most
Affect by the problem. Perhaps most importantly, vulnerable communities are often where existing losses are greatest and most diffuse. It’s in these the tough parts of blogging file historically underserv communities where resilience investments can have a direct impact on people’s lives and livelihoods. Before you start asking your colleagues better questions, you can ask yourself bet. Iter questions too: Who is else is affect by the problem you’re trying to solve?
Think about: colleagues, citizens, community groups
Local businesses, etc Who will benefit if the prob. Ilem is solv? (Think about: who stands to make money) What are all of the consequences of the pro. Iblem? (Think about: social, economic, political) What government departments or agencies have aut. Ihority over solving the pro tg data blem? (Think about: others that may not have authority but have inf. Iluence instead) Where is the problem occurring?