Triangulation

According to Cheney et al, triangulation is "the strategy of employing multiple methods" (p. 455) of data analysis; it may also serve as a metaphor for communication, or other problem solving within organizations. Recently, when I needed a user id and specific passwords, for a proprietary software system that would allow me to communicate to directly with an outside company, I started with my boss. She said she would contact the appropriate person at the regional office and get back to me. A week later when I followed up, she said she hadn't been able to reach the person, and told me to email her directly. After two emails and a phone message produced no response, I was frustrated. During a trip to the regional office, the following week I spoke to the person's boss directly, and received the information I needed the next day. Although this was not triangulation in the scholarly sense, it illustrates the idea that issues need to be approached from multiple perspectives to find useful solutions.