We have all had an idea at one time or another that seemed simple at first, then as we thought about it and noodled it around in our brains, or perhaps tried to put it to paper or words, it grew in complexity and size.

Hence the cliche: “The devil is in the details”.

Rarely, a client will ask me, and exclaim: “why does it take so long… what are you going to do during that time?  I don’t get it!”

“It just seems relatively simple to me.”

So here’s a thought experiment for you to try.

1. Draw a bridge that cars would cross over.  Make it a relatively detailed bridge… ask yourself the following questions as you’re drawing that bridge, and try to answer them with your drawing:
   – is it over water, over a road, or over a town?
   – how many lanes does it have?
   – what is it made out of? steel? wood? concrete?
   – what type of footing(s) does it have?
   – what type of suspension does it have?
2. After you’re done drawing that bridge take a good look at it… it’s a nice bridge right?
3. So now you might be saying to yourself “Oh sure I get it Loren… the devil is in the details… there’s lanes, footings, suspension, materials etc. etc… OK you made your point”

Nope.  That’s not my point at all.  Here’s my point…

Does drawing that bridge give you the education and experience and wisdom to build that bridge?

Does imagining that bridge make you a structural engineer?

This is why we have professions, and professionals.

This is why I pay someone else to do my taxes.

Cheers!