Learning & Thinking · Topic

Problem Solving

Frame problems, generate options, test hypotheses, and learn from results.

• Compare Two Approaches and Learn From the ResultWhen a decision is reversible, compare two approaches around one clear question, keep the outcome you care about visible, and avoid treating a tiny informal comparison as statistic
• Decompose a Hard Problem with TRIZ-Inspired ContradictionsDescribe the unwanted result, expose the trade-off or contradiction, split the system into parts, and check a change that removes a constraint instead of merely optimizing around i
• Use Elimination Rules to Narrow a DecisionDefine a few decision constraints, eliminate options that clearly fail them, then compare the smaller remaining set without pretending arbitrary thresholds are universal rules.
• When Faced with a Problem, Start by Making an Educated Guess About the CauseWhen faced with a problem, start by making an educated guess about the cause. Write down your hypothesis and what you expect to happen if it’s true.
• Use Standard Triz Contradiction Templates Like 'technical Contradiction' and 'physical ContradictionUse standard TRIZ contradiction templates like 'Technical Contradiction' and 'Physical Contradiction.' For example, 'Technical Contradiction: Increasing speed improves productivity