Our Philosophy

At Seven Simple Machines we have built a reputation for solving complex enterprise process problems with simple, elegant solutions. This concept is pervasive in our approach to discovery, design, implementation and execution, not to mention our workplace environment and interpersonal relationships (although perhaps not our prose).

Problem Solving

Uniquely we take a holistic view of the problems we help our clients solve. We have discovered that the common practice of isolated observation (or even worse, speculation) as a method for discovery is just not good enough. Instead we use a participatory discovery process where we encourage those who are involved in the process that we are improving to involve us, as both designers and participants, so that we can understand the activities as a whole.

While we recognize that the world is a complex place we believe that the truth can be deceptively simple. Equally, we have found that when solutions get complicated, that's a strong indicator of a problem in the design. Our goal of elegance and simplicity is distinguished by its organic nature -- our solutions feel simple and natural because they are.

Workplace

Our second, but equal raison d'être is to provide employees with a place where they can find personal growth and support for their lifestyle based on our ten ideals:

1. The work environment should be one of openness, where people respect each other and can feel free to collaborate and brainstorm.
2. No micro-management. When someone is hired to do a particular job, she/he is given full responsibility for her/his actions and should not be second guessed.
3. When someone works on a particular job, he/she must be given a well-defined list of responsibilities and expectations.
4. Process is key. Processes are living documents, but must be followed. There must be time allotted to any job to follow the process, including reflection at the end of a job to improve upon the process.
5. Major company decisions are made by a council of representatives from each skill-set. These folks are responsible for listening to and reporting thoughts and issues from their domain of knowledge.
6. Key traits of any individual that joins our firm, in order of importance, are simple:
   • Work well together: share ideas openly and respect others and their opinions
   • Positive and motivated
   • High level of integrity
   • Competent
   • Versatile and adaptable
   • Interested in and like what she/he does
   • Desire to learn and enhance skills
7. The main asset of the company is the people who work for it. They should always be treated fairly and respected.
8. The goal of our company internally is to provide a stable, rewarding work environment.
9. The attitudes and expectations we build in the work place are equally applied to clients.
10. Although a person works hard, work is a means to an end: Work is to support your life.