Problem Solving Premises

1. There is no magic:  Every problem has a cause and that cause can be discovered through analysis of the system, operating conditions and symptoms.  The word "Mysterious" must never be used in the final analysis, this word describes what should be only an interim lack of understanding.
 
2. You can't solve the problem if you don't understand the problem:  If you throw fixes at a problem until the problem goes away (aka "The Shotgun Method"), you haven't really solved or learned anything.  Once you understand the cause, the solution should be immediately evident even if that means starting from scratch.  If what you try does not succeed, rework your understanding until it is in sync with reality.
   

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 This page last updated on August 28, 2011