How do you differentiate between problem-solving frameworks?

In some cases you may not be able to assess the extent of complexity of the problem, in that case you may have to try different possible frameworks starting from basic ones- It's same like when Doctors are not able to diagnose the exact cause of illness they start with best possible treatment available for the known illness showing same symptoms.

I resonate deeply with the point about choosing the right framework based on the problem type. My bookshelf debacle taught me a valuable lesson – problem-solving frameworks aren't rigid formulas. They're adaptable tools that need to be chosen and wielded with a flexible mindset. It's about understanding the unique qualities of the problem – its complexity, ambiguity, and urgency – and then selecting the framework that best complements its "personality."

Professionals can determine the type of problem they are facing by considering its definition, complexity, familiarity, and urgency/importance. These factors help identify whether a problem is well-defined or ill-defined, simple or complex, familiar or novel, and urgent or important. By evaluating these characteristics, professionals can choose an appropriate problem-solving framework such as PDCA for well-defined simple problems or Design Thinking for ill-defined complex problems.

Professionals can determine the domain of the problem they are facing by considering its nature, whether it is technical or social, quantitative or qualitative, scientific or artistic. By assessing these characteristics, professionals can choose a problem-solving framework that aligns with the domain, such as the Scientific Method for technical quantitative problems or Appreciative Inquiry for social qualitative problems.

My two cents on "domain-matching" problem frameworks: Marketing campaign stuck? Numbers weren't telling the whole story. Data charts galore, but missed the emotional disconnect with customers. Switched to empathy interviews and boom! Uncovered hidden desires, crafted messages that resonated, and conversions soared. Writing felt robotic. Grammar rules and plot structures were choking my creativity. Ditched the textbook and embraced freewriting, sensory exercises. Ideas started flowing like a wild river, landed a story in a literary mag! Frameworks are like spices, enhance the flavor, but choose the right blend for the dish. Embrace the unique nature of your problem, be flexible, and don't be afraid to experiment!

To identify problematic stakeholders of a problem, professionals can follow best practices such as conducting stakeholder analysis. This involves identifying stakeholders, assessing their power and influence, understanding their perspectives, interests, and expectations. By engaging with stakeholders effectively, professionals can choose a suitable problem-solving framework like Stakeholder Analysis for large and diverse groups or SWOT Analysis for smaller, homogeneous stakeholder groups.

I have tried tackling a community project with a textbook stakeholder analysis. Neat charts, clear power dynamics, but felt like we were talking at, not with them. Took a leap and held open forums, listened to their stories, their frustrations. Boom! Ideas sparked, ownership soared, and the project became "theirs". Then I turns out, frameworks are great, but people are the secret sauce. Embrace their perspectives, speak their language, and watch your problem turn into a collective solution. No fancy charts needed, just a genuine human connection.

To deal with problematic resources in a problem, professionals can follow best practices such as resource management within problem-solving frameworks. They can optimize and allocate resources efficiently by considering factors like scope, time, cost, quality, and risk. For problems requiring significant resources, the Project Management Methodology can be employed, whereas the Lean Startup Methodology is suitable for problems with minimal resources. These frameworks help professionals initiate, plan, execute, monitor, and close projects or create MVPs, measure performance, learn from feedback, and iterate products accordingly.

My recent coding project was a budget bonanza – endless server space, shiny new software... and crippling indecision. Overwhelmed by options, I got stuck in analysis paralysis. Then, I remembered the "Lean Startup" mantra: build small, test fast, adapt. So, I slapped together a bare-bones prototype with free tools, tossed it out to a few friends, and boom! Brutal feedback, but it pointed me in the right direction. Turns out, sometimes less is more. Instead of drowning in resources, focus on making the most of what you have. Frameworks like "Lean" help you prioritize, experiment, and iterate your way to a solution, even with the bootstrapper blues. Remember, scarcity can breed creativity.

An example I have used is the Ikigai method developed by Ken Mogi, a Tokyo neuroscientist and author. This is the basic mindfulness practice that is great for brainstorming. Draw four overlapping circles and write down these four sections. One in each circle starting from the top. 1. What You Love 2. What You're Good At 3. What the World Needs 4. What You Can be Paid For 1 and 2 are your passions 1 and 3 is your mission 2 and 4 is your ideal profession 3 and 4 is your vocation Hopefully you'll find a central theme and your own place of peace.

To deal with problematic constraints in a problem, professionals can follow best practices such as leveraging problem-solving frameworks tailored to handle constraints. They can use the TRIZ Methodology for problems with multiple constraints, which involves identifying and resolving contradictions and applying inventive principles. For problems with fewer constraints, the Brainstorming Technique can be employed, allowing the generation of diverse ideas without judgment and subsequent selection and refinement. These frameworks enable professionals to adapt, innovate, and overcome limitations effectively in the problem-solving process.

Once, I dreamt of designing an eco-friendly music festival. Budget tight, permits a nightmare, and weather... fickle (at best). Stuck in "Constraint Cave," I tried traditional brainstorming – endless lists, zero breakthroughs. Then, I remembered something: constraints can be catalysts! So, I flipped the script. Turned limitations into fuel for creativity. Used recycled materials for stages, sourced local food vendors, planned rain-proof activities. Boom! The festival became a sustainability showcase, won awards, and proved a little limitation can spark a lot of awesomeness.

Factor 6: Decide which problem(s) you want to solve. We often spend a lot of time on the process of how we will solve the problem and the resources we will put into place after a clear call to action from the carefully thought out strategy we would like to use. Did we decide though, which problem it is we want to solve? Taking time to define what we are solving and the specific issue we want to tackle will save us a lot of time, money and resources in the long run.