Structured problem solving
I recently started a large project with considerable complexity and scope, two traits which have forced me to adopt a more structured approach.
The last few days I’ve found great success with beginning each work session with two questions:
- What’s the fact pattern — what do I know to be true about the problem and the data?
- In light of #1, what do I think I need to know next in order to move forward? I emphasize the word ‘think’ because it’s less about knowing precisely which stone we need to turn over next and more about trying to be directionally accurate in our inquiry.
Sometimes it will take 20 or even 30 minutes to fully digest the facts and think through what to do next. In the early stages, it might even take days. In any case, it’s well worth it considering that it makes the your efforts moving forward substantially more effective.
If we’re not careful, our problem solving efforts can be marred with aimlessness — a costly state to be in from both a time and energy perspective.
Before beginning to work on a problem, it’s well worth it to invest some energy into thinking about its components and the most sensible way to initially address them.
