9 Best Articles on Problem Solving
The most useful articles on problem solving from around the web—beginners to advanced—curated by thought leaders and our community. We focus on timeless pieces and update the list whenever we discover new, must-read articles or videos—make sure to bookmark and revisit this page.
Top 5 Problem Solving Articles
At a glance: these are the articles that have been most read, shared, and saved on problem solving by Refind users in 2023 so far.
- Creative Problem Solving: from complex challenge to innovative solution
- Adding is favoured over subtracting in problem solving
- Understanding your Circle of Competence: How Warren Buffett Avoids Problems
- Mental Models For Problem-Solving To Avoid Catastrophic Mess
- Emotions Aren’t the Enemy of Good Decision-Making
How to ...?
How to master the seven-step problem-solving process
Structured problem solving strategies can be used to address almost any complex challenge in business or public policy.
Short Articles
Short on time? Check out these useful short articles on problem solving—all under 10 minutes.
Creative Problem Solving: from complex challenge to innovative solution
When facing a difficult dilemma, Creative Problem Solving offers a structured method to help you find an innovative and effective solution.
«With brainstorming, Osborn suggested that it’s better to bring every idea you have to the table, including the wildest ones, because with just a little modification, the outrageous ideas may later become the most plausible solutions. In his own words: “It is easier to tone down a wild idea than to think up a new one.”»
Emotions Aren’t the Enemy of Good Decision-Making
Too often, when we need to make a difficult decision, we rush through it to avoid sitting with uncomfortable emotions. But channelling those emotions — a process the author calls “emotional…
«But the exercise of emotional bookending helped him realize that there were other ways to get the business acumen that the company needs.»
Mental Models For Problem-Solving To Avoid Catastrophic Mess
How to solve problems quickly and cheaply? Add more mental models to your thinking toolbox. Check the best mental models For problem-solving.
Adding is favoured over subtracting in problem solving
People tend to solve problems by adding features.
«Moreover, people could assume that existing features are there for a reason, and so looking for additions would be more effective.»
Understanding your Circle of Competence: How Warren Buffett Avoids Problems
Understanding your circle of competence allows you avoid problems. As we can learn from Warren Buffett, avoiding problems is easier than solving them.
«Over time, work to expand that circle but never fool yourself about where it stands today, and never be afraid to say “I don’t know.”»
Long Articles
These are some of the most-read long-form articles on problem solving.
Imagination isn’t the icing on the cake of human cognition
Imagination isn’t just a spillover from our problem-solving prowess. It might be the core of what human brains evolved to do
«Unlike vision or memory, after all, imagination doesn’t seem to be a cognitive attribute that’s widely distributed in the natural world.»
Are You Solving the Right Problems?
Reframing them can reveal unexpected solutions.
A three-step framework for solving problems 🤔
Nothing is more certain to cause a project to fail than a misunderstanding of the problem you are solving.
Publications
We monitor hundreds of publications, blogs, newsletters, and news sources in Problem Solving, including:
Ness Labs
The learning community for ambitious knowledge workers. Join us to think better, learn faster, and work happier: http://nesslabs.com/membership 🧠✨
Quanta Magazine
Big ideas in science and math. Because you want to know more. Launched by @SimonsFdn. 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Reporting. http://quantamagazine.org
McKinsey & Company
Since 1926, the trusted advisor to the world's leading businesses, governments, and institutions. 130+ offices in 65+ countries.
UX Collective
Curated stories on user experience, usability, and product design. By @fabriciot and @caioab.
Behavioral Scientist
Original, thought-provoking reports from the front lines of behavioral science. Learn more: http://behavioralscientist.org
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Which sources does Refind monitor on problem solving?
We monitor hundreds of sources on problem solving, including Ness Labs, Quanta Magazine, McKinsey & Company, UX Collective, Behavioral Scientist, and many more.
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