Algorithm to do problem solving


I am fond of writing algorigthms and workflows for the problems I solve. Going macro, I have tried to write an algo for problem solving itself. Problem solving is the exercise you do when you create a strategy or figuring out a good solution for any wild problem in the world. My intent was not to make it near perfect, but to just put my current thoughts in one place. Feel free to add in this and use this in problem solving

  1. Clarify what (your goal). Make it detailed and aim for the best case
    1. Make it measurable and define the measures. Spend time here
  2. Build existing learning
    1. How are other companies doing
    2. Someone in team would have done it earlier
    3. Who at ground level does it and can give you real insights
  3. Create a solution
    1. Identify stakeholders and what each of them would want. Your solution in their perception should be rocking
    2. Break solution into flow and quantify each step and build solution accordingly (horizontal segmentation of funnel)
    3. Break solution for different segments of inputs (vertical segmentation of funnel)
    4. Improvise
      1. Do fail fast - deploy on one segment and then go wild
      2. Do hack - use what you have to minimize unpredictable / high effort variables and not attack all variables in one go. Think hack
      3. Run the simulation of execution in your mind and identify problems. Iterate
  4. Execution
    1. Ensure resources - bandwidth and skill
    2. Mark milestones / timelines and owner of the task. Communicate to all involved teams (we miss communication to hr/accounts numerous times)
    3. Do run time validations and run time improvisations
    4. Design maintenance phase if it is an ongoing process
  5. Validate your what achieved or not

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