The Power of Simple Questions in Complex Systems
/ 1 min read
When faced with a failing database cluster or a machine learning model that’s misbehaving, our instinct is to dive deep into complexity. We reach for monitoring tools, debug logs, and performance metrics. But I’ve found that the most powerful tool is often the simplest: asking basic questions.
The Questions That Matter
”What changed?” is more valuable than any dashboard. “What exactly are we trying to achieve?” cuts through months of misaligned development. “How would we know if this worked?” prevents countless failed deployments.
Why Simplicity Works
Simple questions work because they force clarity. They strip away assumptions. When a senior engineer asked me “Can you explain why we need this index?” I realized our team had been optimizing a query that shouldn’t have existed.
The Uncomfortable Truth
These questions aren’t always comfortable. They can expose gaps in our understanding or challenge established practices. But that’s precisely their value - they create space for actual insight rather than complicated explanations.
Key Questions for Complex Systems
- What exactly changed?
- What are we trying to achieve?
- How would we know if this worked?
- Can we explain why we need this?
- What would happen if we removed it?
Complex systems demand clear thinking. Start with simple questions.