Solve the Real Problem: Because what you think is the problem is probably NOT the problem

by Dr Roger Firestien

99% of the time what we THINK is the problem is actually NOT the problem.

We’ve all been there. You thought you solved a tough problem, and then it’s back again. Or you’ve worked and reworked your solution and you’re hitting dead ends.

Why? We have been taught to find answers to problems, not to question the problem itself. We are still using strategies we learned in elementary school to solve complex, non-routine, difficult and potentially dangerous problems.

However, research has shown that investing even 5 minutes redefining a problem produces more original and higher quality solutions than those developed without taking time for problem clarification.

Using examples from business, medicine, education, agriculture, manufacturing and more, Roger Firestien introduces the simplest of methods to uncover the correct problems to solve. That method? Questions. But not just any type of questions - creative questions.

Don’t waste your time solving the wrong problem.
Can you afford to spend 5 minutes to find the real problem?
Can you afford not to?

Genres: Nonfiction

127 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2023

Reviews

[Myinstabookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divided in 9 chapter this short book of 120+ pages talks about problem solving or good questioning I must say. Author says that, “ We have been taught to find answers to problems, not to question the problem itself.” In this book author shares a problem solving process called “Creative Problem-Solving or CPS”.
CPS has for steps to this process -
1. Clarify the problem.
2. Generate ideas.
3. Developing Ideas.
4. Plan for action.

“The problem you see is the problem you solve.”

Author says that good problem finding is a learnable skill. A problem is just a gap from where you are, to where you want to be. And because problems are inevitable fact of life, we need to know how to work with them. Author shares different stories to get his point across. He shares many concepts like “First Instinct Fallacy” and step by step guide to creative questioning. Author says that a creative idea is stated in such a way to find an infinite number of ideas.

I like some of the thoughts presented in this book, problems are indeed part and parcel of our lives, half of our problems will be solved if we know how to better approach them. In this book author Robert Firestien insists on building a habit of asking good question. Author also provides his take on fallacies, myths and importance of innovation in an organisation. This short book has some really good tales on this topic. Presentation and with help of pictures and quotes this book has become more entertaining and engaging.

[Frederik · Rating 4 out of 5]

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