110. The Role of Questions in the Art of Problem Solving

You will improve your ability to solve problems if you hone your skills at asking questions. Remember the 6 journalist's questions : Who, What, Why, When, Where and How. It is much more clever to ask "Is this the right question?" than to ask "Is this the right answer ?"

For each problem you face ask :

WHO:
hates it
has fun with it
fears it
cares about it
created it
is affected by it
wants to stop it
wants to perpetuate it
benefits from it
can help solve it
can hinder solving it
did stop it
loves it ?

WHY:
did it start
is it important
does it continue
this colour, shape, size design etc.
not leave it
does it not always happen
do people do it
do we need this ?

WHAT:
metaphors from nature/other disciplines can help
further problems willl solving this one cause
prejudice, preconceptions, paradigms affect my decisions here
generally what if...
is the real issue
are the underlying issues
solutions have we not tried
solutions have we tried
is the problem in essence
happens if we solve it
are the unconsidered possibilities ?

WHERE:
have I not looked
have I looked
does it happen
does it not happen
did it begin
does it end
else is this working
are the profits / pay-offs
is the deal
are the materials
are the ideas
are the people
else does this happen ?

WHEN:
can we get started
do we stop
can we expect results
can we get help
must we start
must it be resolved
did it start
does it happen
does it not happen
will the consequences be felt ?


HOW :
does it happen / not happen
can it be changed
can it be minimised / maximised
can we profit from it
can we sell the idea
can it be achieved
can it be prevented
does it affect the enviornment
does it affect me /us
can I know when this has been solved / resolved
does it work
can I view it from an unfamiliar perspective
can I get more objective information

109. Learning and Education Vs School

Leslie Hart found that "Final exams are final indeed." The authority-pleasing, question-suppressing, rule-following approach to education may have served to provide society with assembly-line workers and bureaucrats but it does not do much to prepare us for a new renaissance. Whatever you do, learn to THINK for yourself !

108. Leonardo's Notebook

At all times keep a Leonardo da Vinci type notebook about you to jot down your ideas etc. Keep drawings, notes and mind maps in it. Save them in a special place and you will always have them to refer back to in the future. They will continue to inform your thinking. Remember that your brain will improve with age if you use it properly. "The desire to know is natural to all good men." - Leonardo. Multiple perspectives yield deeper understandings.The creation and use of mind-maps is one of the most valuable tools you will have. Keep up the practice all your life.