The Five Best Problem Solving Strategies

Written by Nick Otter.

Contents

• Introduction
  
• The Five Whys Method
  
• The Minto Pyramid Principle
  
• Ishikawa Diagram
  
• Inversion
  
• Issue Trees
  
• A Bonus Round
  

Introduction

Fundamental to DevOps or any other practise. Here are some problem solving strategies from Alex Brogan.

The Five Whys Method

It’s very simple to react to a stated problem without addressing the root cause.

What you hear or see when something is initially presented to you is usually the surface-level pain point or struggle.

By asking the right questions, you can get to the root and find a solution.

Here are the five questions:

1. Why?
2. Why?
3. Why?
4. Why?
5. Why?

See this in action with: Richard Feynman, Magnets

The Minto Pyramid Principle

A McKinsey developed framework for writing and presenting ideas.

“A tool to help you find out what you think.”

Process:

1. Start with the problem first

2. Group and summarize your supporting arguments

3. Logically order your supporting ideas

Ishikawa Diagram

A diagram indicating the possible root causes of a problem.

Steps:

1. Define the problem (Product failure)

2. Identify contributing factors (Blue ovals)

3. Find possible root causes related to each factor (Black text and arrows)

4. Analyse the diagram

Inversion

Inversion

When problem solving, consider the opposite of what you want—the worst-case scenario or solution.

Now ask, “How do I avoid this happening?”

Inversion teaches you what to avoid on the path to success.

Avoiding stupidity is easier than seeking excellence.

Issue Trees

Issue trees are a visual diagram that help you break down a larger problem or question into several smaller, more solvable questions.

They allow you to identify the root causes of a problem as well as to identify its potential solutions.

A Bonus Round

Questions to help you face reality:

• What’s happening now?
• What do you need to know?
• What’s working well and what isn’t?
• What kept you from trying other things?
• Where are you now in relation to your goal?
• What is preventing you from obtaining your goals?

Questions to help you discover what you will do:

• What do you need to put into place first?
• What actions will you take over the next week?
• What will be the next step you take in the next 24 hours?
• How/ when/ who/ where/ what will you do to move forward?

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Thanks. This was written by Nick Otter.