Y Combinator Question 38: What Parts of Hard Ideas Are Useless or Hard? Are There Other Options?
This Y Combinator question is designed to evaluate your startup’s ability to critically assess and refine its ideas.
Part of the series:
Y Combinator: 40 Questions and 40 Answers
Y Combinator: 40 Questions and 40 Answers
This question focuses on identifying aspects of complex ideas that may be impractical or unnecessary and explores alternative approaches that could achieve similar results with less difficulty or complexity. Answering this question effectively demonstrates your team’s problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
1. Why Y Combinator Asks This Question
Y Combinator aims to understand how your startup handles complex challenges and discerns between essential and non-essential elements of a project.This insight helps determine whether your team can streamline processes and focus on the most impactful aspects of your ideas. It also reveals your ability to pivot or adapt strategies when faced with impractical components.
2. How to Answer the Question
Describe the process your team uses to evaluate which parts of a complex idea may be hard or unnecessary, and discuss how you decide to modify, remove, or replace these parts.Highlight any specific examples where you’ve made such decisions in the past, detailing the rationale behind these decisions and the outcomes they led to.
If applicable, mention any alternative solutions or strategies that were considered or implemented in place of the original plans.
3. How NOT to Answer the Question
Avoid responses that suggest your team rarely or never reconsider the components of your projects.Do not imply that all parts of every idea are equally necessary and useful, as this can indicate a lack of critical assessment capabilities.
Demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to pivot when necessary.
4. An Example, Based on a Tech Startup
Let’s consider a tech startup, EcoTech Innovations, that develops energy-efficient appliances. Here’s how they might respond:- Evaluating Hard Ideas: “In our development of a new energy-efficient dryer, we initially included a feature for a new type of heat pump technology that promised significant energy savings. However, during the R&D phase, we found that while the technology reduced energy use, it increased drying times significantly, which was a major drawback for consumers.”
- Decision Process: “After evaluating customer preferences and market research, we determined that the extended drying time would likely deter users despite the energy efficiency gains. Recognizing this, we considered alternative technologies and eventually decided to improve the efficiency of existing heat pump solutions rather than introducing a new technology that compromised user convenience.”
- Outcomes and Alternatives: “This decision allowed us to maintain a focus on energy efficiency while also respecting consumer needs for quick drying times. The revised product still achieved a 30% improvement in energy efficiency without the drawback of longer drying cycles.”
Y Combinator examines how startups critically assess and refine complex ideas, focusing on their ability to distinguish between essential and non-essential elements to streamline processes and enhance the impact of their innovations.