Solution related criteria are Solvable, Smart, and Scalable:
- Solvable. Is the problem already solved and just in need of scaling, does it still require research and development, or is it likely to be unsolvable.
- In general, existing or nearly solved solutions are significantly more attractive since they are “engineering and not science problems”. Similarly, a single standard solution is preferable to many customized ones.
- Smart. Is the solution going to be good value for money, measurable, and is it a smart way to solve the problem.
- For example, in the case of forestry-based carbon capture: what is the ultimate cost per ton of carbon dioxide removed and is the solution innovative and well thought out.
- Scalable. Can the solution be scaled by others.
- This often turns out to be a question of whether there are outside institutions which can leverage the solution and are receptive to it. For example, aligned, effective governments can be highly impactful through regulation, taxation, and subsidies. They – or large private institutions – are often the most efficient ways to scale (provided that the underlying solution is smart and works).