Mike BowlerAug 10, 2024

When slicing work in to valuable pieces, I notice that many people get stuck on the notion of business value. "How will I know if it's valuable?"

My quick hack is to reverse the situation. "If you didn't do this thing, who would be upset and why?"

If the answer is that nobody would be upset then there's no value here. Do something else instead.

If someone would be upset then that person is your customer and the reason they're upset is the value.

Show threadFlowChainSenseiAug 12, 2024
@mike_bowler If something is wanted, but not needed, is it valuable?
Show threadMike BowlerAug 12, 2024
@flowchainsenseisocial Not trying to get too philosophical, but isn't wanting a thing the very essence of value? I may need a new pair of shoes but until I want those shoes, they're not valuable to me.
Show threadFlowChainSenseiAug 12, 2024
@mike_bowler You raise an intriguing point about the relationship between want, need, and value. There's certainly a meaningful distinction to explore here:
Show threadFlowChainSenseiAug 12, 2024
@mike_bowler When we consider it in the context of social health, while wants certainly play a role in how we perceive value, I'd argue that recognising and prioritising genuine needs is crucial for both individual and societal well-being. Might we explore this perspective?
Show threadMike BowlerAug 12, 2024

@flowchainsenseisocial There is a desire (for many people) to satisfy those sociatal needs and in that desire, there is value.

Note that I'm just thinking out loud here. This is not something I've given a lot of thought to.

Show threadFlowChainSensei
@mike_bowler See also my latest blog post: https://flowchainsensei.wordpress.com/2024/08/14/the-social-value-of-needs-a-fresh-perspective/
The Social Value of Needs: A Fresh Perspective

The Social Value of Needs: A Fresh Perspective In our consumer-driven society, we often conflate wanting something with its inherent value. However, when we consider the broader context of social h…

Think Different
Aug 14, 2024 at 10:30amWeb