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"You Are Solving The Wrong Problem"

Paul MacCready, considered to be one of the best mechanical engineers of the 20th century, said it best: 
The problem is we don’t understand the problem.
"You Are Solving The Wrong Problem" outlines the fundamental steps, mental processes, strategies, and common hurdles involved in effective problem-solving.

Summary

  • Problem-Solving Steps: It details a structured, multi-step approach: identifying the issue by gathering and analyzing information, deciding to address the problem by weighing the pros and cons of taking action, understanding the issue to avoid making it worse, investigating various options to make an informed decision, and finally, taking steps to achieve your objectives based on a clear understanding of the root cause.
  • Mental Processes: The article explains the cognitive aspects of problem-solving, such as identifying a problem cognitively (recognizing and correcting biased thinking), making a mental representation of the situation (visualizing the problem to gain new perspective), and taking into account important pertinent information.

Problem-Solving Strategies

  • Algorithms: A step-by-step procedure that guarantees a correct outcome but can be time-consuming.
  • Heuristics: A mental shortcut or "rule of thumb" that simplifies complex problems but doesn't guarantee a correct solution.
  • Trial & Error: Trying different solutions until one works, best for a limited number of possibilities.
  • Insight: When the solution appears suddenly, often by recognizing a pattern from a previous experience.

Hurdles

The article also identifies common obstacles to effective problem-solving, including assumptions about limitations, functional fixedness (only seeing an object's typical use), irrelevant or deceptive information, and mental preparedness (relying on old solutions instead of exploring new ones).

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