Ideal Final Result (IFR)

What happens after you come up with an innovative new idea? How do you execute your system or plan to achieve the best results?

The Ideal Final Result describes the solution to a problem, without jargon, independent of the mechanism or constraints of the original problem. The ideal system meets six important criteria. The IFR:

1. Occupies no space

2. Has no weight

3. Requires no labor

4. Requires no maintenance

5. Delivers benefit without harm

6. Takes care of itself

Ideality is equal to the sum of the benefits divided by the sum of the costs plus the sum of the harm. To achieve the IFR, the benefits of the concept must be increased by the solution, while the costs and harm are decreased. The goal of the IFR is an infinite positive result.

The IFR concept can be explained by the following two equations:

Ideality = ∑ Benefits / (∑ Costs + ∑ Harm)

and

IFR =∑ Good/∑ Bad

Where you strive for IFR to reach infinity.

The Ideal Final Result may seem unrealistic, but the rationale for creating this desired end result is important. The IFR gets people to think out of the box for ideas. An IFR removes perceived and real barriers by forcing people to look at alternative solution concepts.

The IFR also focuses the creator's attention on perfection as opposed to limitations. By aiming for a flawless resolution from the start, breakthrough thinking is encouraged, less than ideal solutions are rejected, and discussions that will clearly establish the boundaries of the project are sparked.

The best way to get a great idea is to give yourself a number of ideas to choose from. The first idea is rarely your best idea, and in this case, rarely the Ideal Final Result. Searching for the IFR forces you to reject your initial, flawed plans and strive for the system that will provide the best solution.

The Ideal Final Result concept forces you to find ways to maximize the good in a problem, concept, or idea, and minimize the bad. There are several ways to look at this. One way I like to apply IFR is to assume you have zero budget to accomplish a task. This approach forces you to look at the available resources you have on hand and brainstorm ways to make your idea happen without spending any money.

Try looking at a problem or issue by applying the IFR principle, it can help you leap to creative solutions without all the current baggage you're carrying around.

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