Just because a question was answered once, doesn't mean that it is fully resolved. The customer base, innovation or competitors may have changed the landscape since the last time the question was answered. Revisiting the question may provide insight into new opportunities for growth or finally achieving the dream initially intended. Another take on this question is the possibility that the industry gave up on answering a question because at the time, the solution was cost prohibitive or the graybeards concluded, you can't get there from here. Educational system disruptor's are asking old questions to determine if the current process will deliver a workforce ready for the world the students will face. I often questioned the value of homework and now it is finally getting a legitimate evaluation. Industry leaders are piloting student performance with homework in class during the day when interaction with the teacher is possible and watching lectures at night to learn the new topic. In the interest of full disclosure, my beef with homework was born out of laziness vice offering a better way. Stand Up Kids has installed standing desks in schools to improve cognitive function, increase health and fight obesity vice keeping sedentary students locked into desks that don't fit them properly. Asking these old questions are getting remarkable answers. This work should inspire the willingness to dust off the yellowed acetate viewgraphes remembering the questions and solutions that delivered us today will not take us to tomorrow.
What questions lead to your industry being a solution? When were these initial questions answered? Has you industry been disrupted yet by new answers to old questions? How can you and your organization become that disrupting agent? What other question should be asked?