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Last active March 1, 2024 12:55
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elon-5-step-algorithm

Elon's 5-Step Engineering Design Process

1. Make requirements less dumb

Your requirements are definitely dumb. It does not matter who gave them to you. It's particularly dangerous if a smart person gave them to because you may not question them enough.

Whatever requirement or constraint you have must come with a name (not a department). That person who is putting forward the requirement/constraint must take responsibility for that requirement.

2. Delete a part or process

Very important. If you are not occasionally adding things back in, you are not deleting enough. The bias tends to be really strongly towards adding a process or step in case we need it. Ruthlessly remove parts/processes and don't hedge your bets.

The rule of thumb, if you're not adding parts/processes back in 10% of the time you are clearly not deleting enough.

3. Simplify or optimize

Only after completing steps 1 and 2 can you begin to optimize. Possible the most common error of a smart engineer is to optimize a thing that should not exist.

4. Accelerate cycle time

You're moving too slowly, go faster. But make sure to work on the first 3 steps first.

5. Automate

Only now should you automate. Elon has made the mistake to start with automation.

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