Addressing Climate Change: How Option Zero Drives Smarter Solutions
Have you considered not solving the problem? A simple concept; a powerful effect.
Most programming languages start counting at zero. When you select an element from a list, the syntax looks like this:
When software engineers make lists, they often start with zero.
In the context of problem-solving, I’ve taken this syntax and layered on my own semantic meaning, developing a concept I call “Option Zero”.
Option Zero, the concept
Over my career in software engineering, I’ve developed a lightweight but powerful problem-solving technique: the “Design Spike”. I’ve covered this more broadly in a previous article.
However, one of my favorite Design Spike tips deserves an article to itself: starting with Option Zero.
When working on a design spike, I eventually get to the point of enumerating solution options. A software engineer through-and-through, I always start my numbered list of options with #0, aka Option Zero. I write down “#0: do nothing” or “#0: don’t solve this problem” or at least “#0: don’t solve this problem with software”.
Why?
Fundamentally, including Option Zero combats the tendency to over-engineer solutions, and encourages teams to consciously prioritize which problems they choose to solve.
In more detail, here are specific benefits of Option Zero:
Trading off cost & value
Engineering is all about trade-offs. Some unicorn solutions are higher value for lower cost, but usually solutions trade-off between cost and value. Including Option Zero as the zero-cost, zero-value option helps anchor the discussion on whether the increased value of other solutions is worth the increased cost.
Prioritization
Option Zero reminds us that every solution has a cost, as does every problem. Taking time to implement a solution to one problem comes with the opportunity cost of not solving other problems.
Status quo
Option Zero is the status-quo, the continuation of not solving a problem. Sometimes including it explicitly helps drive home how important it is to actually solve the problem. (Sometimes it makes you realize that you’re getting along okay with your existing non-solution).
Option 0.5 & iterate
Starting with Option Zero can make it easier to brainstorm an “Option 0.5” which adds some value at trivial cost. Even if you think you’ll ultimately need to implement Options 1, 2, or 3, it’s often worth it to start with an Option 0.5 that lets you rapidly test the hypothesis: “this problem needs to be solved”. In the agile spirit, you can then course-correct as needed.
Other times, you come up with an Option 0.5 that only solves half the problem, but you realize it’s the half that matters.
Name it to tame it
I introduced the concept of “Option Zero” at my last two companies, and both times it became a fan favorite, deeply embedded into the culture. I’ve always been a champion of ruthless prioritization, cutting scope, building MVPs, and generally obsessing over avoiding building solutions to the wrong problems. Putting a memorable name to this somewhat complex concept keeps it top of mind and makes it easy to reference in shorthand. Everyone knows what it means to “consider option zero”.
Option Zero, as applied to climate change
Let’s take this framework and apply it to climate change.
Caveat: this example is an extreme oversimplification of the true complexities of climate change, and is really only intended as an illustration of the concept.
Problem
Human-driven climate change is an existential crisis
Solution options
#0. Do nothing
Cost: ~ $2 Trillion/year [1]
Pros: easiest to implement, can continue with business as usual.
Cons: will probably result in much of the planet being uninhabitable for human life within a few hundred years.
#1. Do something
Cost: Variable
Pros: middle ground. Will likely lessen the downside while not requiring multiple paradigm shifts in our entire way of life.
Cons: we’re still running a global-scale experiment with our only habitable biosphere. It might turn out okay. Or we might trigger positive feedback cycles that result in runaway global warming.
#2. Do everything possible
Cost: ~ $300 Billion — $50 Trillion [2,3]
Pros: will keep global warming to a minimum. Our best chance to save countless future lives.
Cons: most difficult.
As it happens, we firmly believe that in the case of climate change as a whole, Option Zero (aka Do Nothing) is not the right option.
However, I hope I have convinced you that Option Zero is always worth considering, even if it serves only to represent the status quo, ultimately acting as a foil to highlight the benefits of other options.
Option Zero, LLC
When my husband and I started our own software-for-climate consultancy, we brainstormed a whole mind map of name ideas. We tacked on “Option Zero” at the end (ironically), as a semi-joking afterthought. However, once we considered it seriously, it soon topped our list and we’re now the co-founders of Option Zero, LLC.
We are forward-thinking engineers dedicated to helping the world prevent and adapt to climate change. We are also software experts who approach every problem with smart efficiency, prioritizing problems first and solutions second. Rest assured, if you present us with a problem, we will always start with Option Zero. Some may say that’s bad business. We say it’s the best practice. 🥁
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