How Do You Solve Difficult Problems?

[Lifeisamazing]

I think that a great job is one where you continuously solve challenging and interesting problems. How does your problem solving process look like?

[CoolBee]

I think the place to start and probably the most difficult thing could be to identify exactly what IS the problem?

And are you asking the right questions?

These can be a bit cyclic! Ask questions to try and identify the problem. Then, when you think you have figured a bit more about the problem, ask further different questions. Modify the problem in the light of those answers! It may have changed completely or just become more precise!

[Lifeisamazing]

Do you do it in writing? I absolutely think that writing helps clarify things. So I do all my problem solving and brainstorming in my personal development notebook. I'm a much poorer thinker without the notebook. (I'm wondering if this can lead to a negative consequence if I do pretty much all my challenging thinking in writing.)

It's interesting that you mention asking the right questions. It's pretty hard to define what are right questions and what are wrong questions. You also say correctly that this can be chaotic. You come up with all kinds of Qs and later figure out which ones were better. What do you think helps ask better questions?

[Clint Cora]

Depending on what the problem is. If it's a huge problem, I won't hesitate to consult an expert in that area. I've learned over the years that although there is some possibility that I might be able to solve huge problems on my own through trial and error, it might take me a long time. So I would rather consult an expert, even pay that person for his/her time and expertise, to help me get over the problem much faster.

This will help me become much more productive as I'm not bogged down by using up so much precious time trying to figure complex things out. When I do consult an expert, it's good investment.

Of course for smaller problems, I'll try to research possible solutions on my own but for the large ones, I will go to the experts.

[CoolBee]

I find using my giant whiteboard helps me gain clarity! Even at uni, if anyone in the class (including me) asked a question about some problem or other, the minute the prof wrote it up on the board, it seemed much more 'obvious' somehow!

Exactly, re 'right' questions, you won't know until later which were the right ones. The idea is to ask completely different types of question which allow for new approaches to a situation or problem.

For example we might start with the standard Kipling questions - who, where, when, what, how, why?
Add the cartesian questions in one form or other - what will/won't happen/ if you do/don't or what is the best/worst that can happen if you do/don't
What happens if you take this to the extreme and make x=infinity or zero
Use Byron Katie's 'the work' type approach to completely turn something round in your mind
Hat-changing in some variety or other - if I sit in this chair and I look at it from this person's perspective (and imitate their physical gestures and voice as much as I can) how does it look?
There isn't one way to solve a problem!
If you are used to using writing, try speaking the problem out loud and vice versa.
Ask 'silly' questions like 'if this was a fruit what fruit would it be' and so on or 'if this was a perfume, what smells would you detect in it'.
All trying to tap into the different senses - visual auditory kinaesthetic oral gustatory

[Lifeisamazing]

Originally Posted by Clint Cora

Depending on what the problem is. If it's a huge problem, I won't hesitate to consult an expert in that area. I've learned over the years that although there is some possibility that I might be able to solve huge problems on my own through trial and error, it might take me a long time. So I would rather consult an expert, even pay that person for his/her time and expertise, to help me get over the problem much faster.

What if you absolutely love solving difficult problems? This is not productive in the sense of getting the problem fixed but it is enjoyable and mind-stimulating.

[Lifeisamazing]

CoolBee, thanks for those tips! I bet a lot of people get great ideas from your post.

One of the most important things for problem solving also is research. I think this is something that you could really ask for other people's direction. "I have this problem, what resources do you recommend me to look into?"

I've noticed that it's very general for people to just type some keywords on Google and hope that they find a solution to their problem. I think this is incredibly ineffective. I've personally saved the most trustworthy and informative websites over time, and if I have a problem, I can check one of my favorite sites for a much quicker finding.

[Clint Cora]

Originally Posted by Lifeisamazing

What if you absolutely love solving difficult problems? This is not productive in the sense of getting the problem fixed but it is enjoyable and mind-stimulating.

Whatever makes you happy. As long as you are satisfied with the duration it takes to solve each type of problem.

[VinceG]

I do it like Dr. House. First I find a team of human doormats to berate so I can feel better about myself for being so awesome even while I'm miserable. Then I make wrong guesses over and over and nearly destroy everything, then when it's just about to hit the fan, I go throw a ball at a wall until I magically get it.