Problem Solving

How do you define a problem accurately before attempting to solve it?

First Principles

Before solving, break the problem down:

• What are the actual constraints vs assumed constraints?
• What's the root cause vs the symptoms?
• Who benefits from the current state?

Strategies

Approach	When to Use
Inversion	When stuck - ask "how would I make this worse?"
Design Thinking	When the problem involves human needs
Matrix Thinking	When connecting patterns across domains
First Principles	When conventional wisdom isn't working

Context

• McKinsey Problem Solving
• Decision Making
• Systems Thinking