Check Whether You're Solving the Right Problem
Added 2026-11-02
Swap "how do I solve this" for "why is this a problem and who decided so".
I am busy solving a problem (described below). Do: 1) answer three questions first — is this a real problem or a symptom, who defined it, what happens if it stays unsolved; 2) say which layer my current approach addresses — symptom, process or mechanism; 3) judge the cost if I attack the wrong layer; 4) give a 30-minute action to restate the problem; 5) warn me what it looks like when I have mistaken the means for the goal.
Site original
Chinese original
How to use
解决问题之前，先确认问题不是你自己编的。
Try tweaking it
- Ask what evidence would overturn the judgement.
- Have it argue both sides with three reasons each.
What you should get
- A decision table: assumptions, evidence, counter-evidence
- A next action with an observable signal
Common mistakes
- Asking only "should I?" and getting equally valid answers both ways.
- Never asking for counter-examples, so you only hear support.
How to check the output
- It states what evidence would overturn the conclusion.
- Both sides are argued, with assumptions marked as such.
Where it works
- Good for: splitting a decision into assumptions, evidence and counter-cases, leaving the call to you.
- Watch out: ask what evidence would overturn the judgement, or you will only hear supporting reasons.