Solving Problems One Bite at a Time
- Troy Micklon
- Aug 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 11
As previously reported, I spoke at last weeks Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, discussing Mayor Jay Ruais’s 19-month plan to phase out the 39 Beech Street Shelter & Engagement Center.
The next morning, I received a call from the Mayor, our first-ever conversation. He thanked me for supporting his plan and we spoke briefly about homelessness. We agreed on one key truth: this is a problem you cannot solve all at once. His words stuck with me, “one step at a time,” because they reflect how I have coached organizations to approach complex challenges.
For some of my teams, we have used “The Hamburger Method” to break down large pieces of work into smaller, more manageable ones, prioritizing value delivery. This involves breaking the issue into layers or tasks, identifying options for each layer, and then taking one option from each layer to create a small usable increment, simply called a “bite” of the hamburger. Each bite delivers measurable value, avoids half-baked solutions, and keeps progress moving toward the larger goal.
The key is to focus on outcomes, not just activity. In my work, we define metrics for each increment to measure whether it is actually delivering the intended results. If it is not, we adjust our approach before wasting more time and resources. This same thinking applies to public policy: track progress, assess impact, and adapt when something isn’t working.
Homelessness is one of the most complex challenges a city can face. No single policy, shelter, or program will solve it overnight. But by tackling the problem in smaller, targeted steps, using clear metrics and staying flexible, we can make steady progress while ensuring each step moves us closer to real, lasting outcomes.
Whether in government, business, or community projects, the principle is the same: start small, measure success, adapt quickly, and keep moving forward, one bite at a time.
Troy Micklon
Guided by Values. Focused on Outcomes.
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