The Imperfectionists

Appendix: Bulletproof Problem Solving

A Disciplined Toolset for Great Problem Solving

In Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything (Wiley 2019), we provide a toolset for disciplined problem solving. The appeal of the approach is that the same systematic process can be used to solve almost every kind of problem, from simple ones to those with complex interdependencies. It sets out a simple but rigorous approach to defining problems, disaggregating them into manageable pieces, focusing good analytic tools on the most important parts, and then synthesizing findings to tell a powerful story. This toolset dovetails nicely with the problem solving mindsets described in this volume.

Step 1: Define the Problem. Getting a crystal-clear definition of the problem you are solving is the critical starting point to bulletproof problem solving. And it should be relatively straightforward. But a surprising number of failures in problem solving originate in poor problem definition. Teams and individuals surge off into data gathering or expert interviews without being very clear about the boundaries of the problem, the criteria for success, the timeframe, or the level of accuracy required.

Step 2: ...