Colabmo development course A-P02

Learning objective: Generate alternatives that differ in how necessary functions are fulfilled.

Begin reconstruction with a blank functional model and the agreed principles. For each function, vary who performs it, when it occurs, what information it uses, what triggers it and how exceptions are handled. Combine compatible choices into complete alternatives rather than collecting disconnected ideas.

A request process could use centralized triage, distributed authority within explicit limits, or customer-assisted preparation followed by specialist review. These are different operating mechanisms. Three software brands implementing the same approvals are usually variations of one mechanism.

For every option, walk a standard case, an incomplete case and a disputed case through the design. Identify the decision owner, evidence created, handoff and recovery path at each relevant point. If a proposed shortcut leaves an exception owner unknown, the design is incomplete.

Show the chain from principle to function to design choice. If reliable identity must precede activation, identify the mechanism that establishes identity and the event that blocks activation when evidence is missing. “The platform handles it” is not a sufficient mechanism.

Keep current-state improvement as a comparison option when appropriate. FPT can support retaining the present architecture if alternatives have worse tradeoffs. The point of alternatives is to expose assumptions and choices, not to force dramatic novelty.

Generate individually before group discussion so the first speaker’s preferred design does not set the entire search space. Use analogy only after establishing the necessary functions: an appointment system may suggest capacity reservation, but its suitability for supplier approval still depends on the premises in that business.

Practice

In W6, create three complete options for one process. Each must vary at least two structural choices, such as authority and timing. Give each a standard path, exception path and failure recovery. Trace three features back to W5 principles.

Check your reasoning

A team offers three tools that all reproduce the same serial approvals. What is missing?