When one thinks about the word constraints, it conjures up a fairly negative image on limit on something. In reality, there are many situations where constraints are good and can help a lot. Below are some benefits an organization might gain under constraints
- Constraints encourage creativity : If you have to do more with less then the only way is to be creative. For example, if you have limited budget, and still want to get a big bang for it, you will have to be creative. If a product has limited features, sales/marketing has to get creative in applying it.
- Constraints encourage effectiveness and efficiency : Again, if you have to do more with less, you are forced to be more effective at what you do. Although efficiency seems like the obvious thing, it can lead to ineffectiveness. So first be effective then efficient
- Constraints encourage discipline : It is very easy to splurge when you have no constraints. But having a constraint lets you prioritize and really stick to core values. Fiscal constraints encourage fiscal discipline, resource constraints encourage scope discipline etc.
- Constraints may lead to simplicity : Many a times it is difficualt to solve a problem or design a solution which has many degrees of freedom. Constraining a few of the degrees actually helps solve the problem or simpligy the solution.
Organizations in their early stage of growth/setup are better off being constrained than not because more often than not, it teaches a lot of valuable lessons. So next time you are constrained by something, try to take a positive outlook and figure out a way to exploit the constraint and make use of it.