Elon Musk’s SpaceX experienced a rare failed launch in mid-July 2024, reminding us of the invaluable lessons failure brings.
In essence, Einstein said it very well!
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein
As a former systems engineer at IBM and a lover of all things tech, I’ve always embraced the elegance of simplicity in solving complex problems.
In mid-July 2024, Elon Musk’s SpaceX experienced a rare failed launch, which was a reminder of the invaluable lessons that come from failure.
The RUD (Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly), also known as an explosion, will undoubtedly provide many data points for Elon and the team to review.
We often learn more when we fail, than when we succeed. Because failure, or finding a way that doesn't work, is an opportunity to stop and take stock.
Sometimes when we succeed we spend less time reviewing why we succeeded or how we could have done it even better.
While I am not privy to what happens next, I am fairly confident that Elon’s approach to engineering, which I will share below is likely to play a big part in the way they review and evaluate what happened and move forward quickly.
I love looking at lessons from other people that I can learn from and I believe that whether it’s a product, process, or business, this process is valuable to us all, in all areas of our life.
Here are Elon Musk's general engineering principles and my take on how they can be applied to your business to maximise value and ensure a smooth exit.
1. Question Everything!
In engineering, unnecessary requirements lead to bloated systems and wasted resources. In space the margins of error are even smaller, every gram has to be accounted for.
How can you apply this principle to your business?
- Is every process, feature, or task truly necessary?
- Is it up-to-date?
- Could you do what Elon does and assign "Directly Responsible Individual" (DRI) to each outcome to ensure accountability and relevance?
This isn't a once off assignment. This is a process of continual improvement.
Remember, the seven most expensive words in business are:
"We've always done it that way!"
2. Eliminate Unnecessary Complexity
Part of the first step should uncover what's not needed.
The problem is that in the name of innovation, sometimes complexity sneaks in. However, true genius lies in simplicity.
Removing unnecessary components not only simplifies systems it also enhances efficiency.
Avoid the temptation to add complexity just because it seems impressive.
What can you do to make it simple and keep it simple?
3. Standardise To Simplify
In the software industry, big contracts often come with demands for customisation, leading to complicated code with numerous exceptions.
Should you adapt the code? Or should you adapt your business?
This is where many a software consulting and implementation firm has made a fortune... until disruptors have come on the scene in recent years.
When you have standard software, standard systems, it's easier to hire from a pool of already skilled people. It's easier to train and onboard them into your business.
Once you simplify by standardising processes, life will never be the same!
By keeping it simple, you will have fewer complications, fewer headaches and a more streamlined operation.
4. Embrace Rapid Iteration
Going back to the adage: "We've always done it that way!" Think about how quickly COVID-19 vaccines were developed—people said it couldn’t be done that fast.
Now that it has, what impact has this had on medical and vaccine research?
Elon Musk challenged traditional engineering, like NASA’s decade-long planning for a rocket launch, by asking: "How quick can we get a piece of metal flying?"
How can you apply this principle to your business? How can you reduce the cycle time? Whether it’s a new product or process, consider what you can launch quickly, learn from failures, and iterate.
This approach accelerates creativity and growth while refining processes.
5. Automate After Optimising
Instead of thinking that automation is a dirty word for your team, what if instead it freed you and them up to do more valuable and stimulating tasks?
Automation can help eliminate human error and free up valuable time.
The key with automation is only to apply it AFTER you’ve simplified and optimised your processes.
Applying automation to a poor process can lead to band-aid solutions or even chaos and decay!
Elon himself admits to wasting time by doing this process backward.
Follow the steps in order:
Question, Remove, Simplify, Speed up, and then Automate.
Taking the First Step
Start by questioning EVERY requirement, process, or task in your business. Challenge the status quo and embrace change.
As Einstein said, “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” This principle is a powerful mantra for business leaders. By adopting these principles, you can streamline your operations, maximise your business value, which can help create a smoother pathway to a successful exit.
What’s the first outdated process you can eliminate to streamline your business today?