Art of Posting Questions

There is an art and science to posing a question properly. Good questions encourage good answers. Following proper form in asking questions often results in self-resolution. It is a process that makes a difference. Here are some of the key concepts to keep in mind when asking a technical question:

• A concise description of the business and technical background – why are you trying to do what you are trying to do?
  
• A detailed description of the solution space– what are you trying to accomplish?
  
• A detailed description of how you have addressed the solution technically – what is your approach to the solution?
  
• A detailed description of the ISSUE with your intended solution—how do you know there is a problem?
  
• A detailed list of what you have tried and what you have not tried to resolve the ISSUE—what have you done about the problem and what were the results?
  

I find that most technical questions seek assistance to fix problems with an attempted work-around rather than to solve the original quandary. That is the nature of the problem solving path, we ask once we have reached the end of our ropes. Take the time to back-up and start from square one: don't ask me about the end of your rope ask me about the start. Many times the first approach was the appropriate approach and a minor tweak results in success.

For some questions, you may not know how to address the solution space at all. But, to borrow from Ben Franklin, KR helps those who help themselves. These questions are welcome, but you must explore help sources such as the PRPC online help, PDN, KR SharePoint, or Pegatricks.com for hints prior to posting. Part of engaging answerers is satisfying the community that you are:

• interested in solving the problem on your own, not passing-off hard work,
  
• capable of understanding and acting on a response,
  
• respectful of the communities time.
  

Happy asking.