Asking Better Questions
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Over the years of reading questions on SpiceWorks, I've come to the conclusion that there are a few simple ways that nearly all of us could get better answers, better advice, more information by changing how we ask questions. Here are some tips that I've learned (this is not about break/fix questions but about guidance questions...)
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Always give the business background. No IT choice is made outside of a business context, so provide us with the drives on the decision. Need product type X? Do you need it to be fast? Reliable? Flexible? Cheap? What business factors are prompting the decision? Defining "why" you are looking for a solution not only gives people an opportunity to actually answer you properly but also forces you to think about the reasoning behind your thinking as well.
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Step back one level. By the time we are looking for advice all of us are one level too deep to know if we are asking the right question. By the time we are stuck, we've already gone further down the decision path than we were prepared to. So step back and ask a broader question than you think that you should. For example... if you are asking what SAN to buy, instead ask if you should get shared storage or not. If you are asking which email system to implement, instead back up and ask if you should be looking at hosted or in house email. Looking at VoIP and want to know which PoE switch is best? Instead ask if PoE makes sense. Implementing VLANs and want configuration guidance? Instead, ask if VLANs meet your need best.
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Use meaningful titles. Don't put extra works, pleases, thank you's, ASAPs, HELP HELP or other meaningless stuff as a title. Say "Researching Email Systems" or "Need DR Plan for Satellite Office Ideas".
We all get blinded before we realize it. By the time we run out of answers, we've already lost our way. It's okay to say what you think the answer might be, but be careful as you might guide the answer. Get broader guidance than you think you need, it will serve you better.
(Reprinted from an August 2012 article that I wrote but a very important one that we need for reference.)
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I should point out that thus far, I've not see any problems like this here. ML is really a great community. But as we grow, the need for this will increase so I am just being proactive.
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@scottalanmiller said:
I should point out that thus far, I've not see any problems like this here. ML is really a great community. But as we grow, the need for this will increase so I am just being proactive.
Wow thanks for this giving us an Idea about "Asking Better Questions" I am sure it will help a lot.
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Is there a way to make every new member read this? This will definitely help new posters frame their question better.
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I wish. That would be handy.
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@scottalanmiller said:
I should point out that thus far, I've not see any problems like this here. ML is really a great community. But as we grow, the need for this will increase so I am just being proactive.
Even if these aren't a fresh read per-se, it's nice to have some of these gems come over to ML.
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@MattKing said:
@scottalanmiller said:
I should point out that thus far, I've not see any problems like this here. ML is really a great community. But as we grow, the need for this will increase so I am just being proactive.
Even if these aren't a fresh read per-se, it's nice to have some of these gems come over to ML.
Yes, trying to have some of the classic reference material readily available here where we can find it.
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@scottalanmiller More than handy.
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@scottalanmiller Nice one! Is there any option to post this as a sticky? May be add to the welcome email for any new user? just thinking of options, as this will be really helpful for any member.
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@ambarishrh said:
@scottalanmiller Nice one! Is there any option to post this as a sticky? May be add to the welcome email for any new user? just thinking of options, as this will be really helpful for any member.
I've seen that there is a sticky feature but I don't know how it works.
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Seems like forum admins can "pin" topics to the top of a topic listing
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Hopefully they can. That would be handy.
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Wished I had read this before I asked my XP question!
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@scottalanmiller said:
Hopefully they can. That would be handy.
At least now you know Sir. You can try next time. Pretty sure you will post more question very soon
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@Joyfano said:
@scottalanmiller said:
Hopefully they can. That would be handy.
At least now you know Sir. You can try next time. Pretty sure you will post more question very soon
The more you know....
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And knowing is half the battle.
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Glad this has been reposted here.
