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John Spacey, January 28, 2016 updated on March 13, 2017
A workaround is a practical and lightweight solution to a problem. The term is associated with both drastic and subtle measures that solve a problem quickly or cheaply. The following are illustrative examples.BudgetA planning committee for a major international sporting event has its budget cut. Instead of building facilities for the event they spread it out across multiple cities to make use of existing facilities.
ConfigurationA bank website is experiencing an information security attack from a large number of devices on a wide range of IP addresses. They build a list of customer IPs that connected to the website in the 12 months before the attack and only allow these IPs to connect to their system. The workaround allows 90% of customers to connect but blocks 99.9% of IPs involved in the attack.
ElectricalA user's laptop keeps overheating and crashing. They point an electric fan at the device and the problem goes away long enough to complete some work.MechanicalThe crew of a spacecraft fix a hatch without access to the correct part. They use a similar part and modify its shape until it functions as a reasonable temporary fix.SupplyA fast food restaurant runs out of potatoes due to a supply chain disruption. They purchase a variety of packaged snacks from local suppliers to replace the menu item.
EnvironmentA city struggling with unsafe air quality begins to close major roads to all vehicles with the exception of zero-emissions vehicles and public transport.DisastersAn earthquake occurs and the planned emergency routes are unavailable due to damage. Emergency response teams clear side roads that allow them through.SafetyAn aircraft's engines both go out due to multiple bird strikes and the crew switch to procedures to operate the aircraft much like a glider.
SystemsA retailer's payment systems go down and they warn all customers in store that it is cash only until the system comes back up.DesignHalf way through construction of a kitchen an interior designer discovers an error in the floor plan that makes the layout impossible given the dimensions of the room. She orders a slightly smaller refrigerator and alters the design to make things fit.
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