WW2.
Planes are being lost.
The British Government wants to reinforce their planes so they ask an engineer to look where best to do it.
So this expert gets in one of the damaged planes and studies where the bullet holes are.
After a lot of exploring, he discovers the damage is mainly around the tail and so recommends that is where the reinforcement should be focused.
As he relays his report, one of the generals responds with this …
“Instead of looking at the planes that came back, we should study the planes that didn’t … that’s when we’ll discover what really needs reinforcing.”
And right there is a reminder that to truly understand – or solve – a situation, you have to look at what has failed, not just what has been successful.
Companies … researchers … planners … take note.