I wrote about the power of right-sized solutions—those that fit the customer’s current needs without overwhelming their present environment. Read the post here
But there is another angle to this conversation. Sometimes, the solutions we propose must not only work for today, but also carry the customer confidently into the future.
A few years ago, I was looking for a study desk for my son. The furniture store had several attractive options—tables with superhero themes, adjustable heights, matching chairs, and exciting designs. I was almost convinced. But then it struck me: my son would outgrow this table in just a couple of years. Soon, I would need to buy another one. And the younger one definitely wouldn’t want a hand-me-down superhero table.
So I stepped back, thought practically, and bought a simple, regular desk with a good, adjustable high chair. It wasn’t the most exciting option. It wasn’t fancy. But it offered something far more valuable: stability.
Today, years later, that same desk still works perfectly for us. The investment felt high at the time, but the long-term peace of mind it brought was worth every bit of it. Stability is peace. Stability reduces noise. Stability lets you focus on what truly matters.
This is exactly how solution proposals in project management should work.
When we propose solutions to customers, we often get carried away by what looks impressive—fancy dashboards, extensive integrations, heavily layered architectures, or shiny new technologies. But real value comes from understanding the customer’s processes, their maturity, their scalability plans, and how their business may change in the next few years.
A good solution solves current problems.
A great solution continues to solve problems as the business grows, shifts, or restructures.
It shouldn’t become obsolete in two years. It shouldn’t demand reinvestment every time a team expands or a product evolves. Instead, it should bring the same stability that my son’s desk brought into our routine: reliable, flexible, and capable of supporting growth without needing constant replacement.
This approach creates trust. Customers appreciate partners who think honestly about long-term value and not just immediate wins. It builds relationships where you are not just a vendor, but a strategic guide.
When we design solutions that meet today’s needs while keeping tomorrow’s possibilities in mind, we offer more than technology—we offer stability. And stability is one of the greatest gifts we can provide to our customers.