1. What is a problem?

A problem is the difference between things as desired and things as perceived.

2. Am I the source of the problem?

Conduct a sanity check.

3. Who has the problem?

• What are the parties involved?
• What do each of them want?

4. Do they really want to solve the problem?

Perform another sanity check.

5. Is it ethical to solve their problem?

Now might be a good time to pause and consider.

6. Can we find a misfit by looking from a different perspective?

Test your definition on a foreigner or a child.

7. Can I reframe the problem statement to make it different?

Avoid confusing their solution method with the problem itself.

8. What other problems might arise when I solve this problem?

There are always consequences – identify them!

See also Are your lights on?