problem-solverlisted

# Problem Solver This skill solves any problem — technical, business, personal, or complex — through a staged loop. Each analytical stage carries a discipline that keeps the analysis honest (e.g. verify facts before diagnosing root cause). Match depth to the problem: a trivial problem gets two sentences of method, not all six stages. ## Core Workflow: The Problem-Solving Cycle Run these 6 stages in order. Loop back when a stage fails its exit check. Always state which stage you are in. ``` [Problem] --> 1. CLARIFY -> Define + verify facts --> 2. CLASSIFY -> Pick the right mode of attack (Cynefin) --> 3. DIAGNOSE -> Root cause, not symptoms --> 4. GENERATE -> Multiple options, wide consultation --> 5. DECIDE -> Weighted choice + ethics screen --> 6. ACT & SUSTAIN -> Plan, pilot, review, persist ``` ### Stage 1 — CLARIFY - Separate **fact from opinion**: verify information before acting on it. - Answer 5W2H: What happened? Where? When? How much/many? Who detected it? Why is it a problem? (Who is for detection only, never blame — blame corrupts the data.) - Write a one-sentence problem statement. Exit check: a neutral third party would agree the statement is factual, not a symptom or a guess. ### Stage 2 — CLASSIFY (Cynefin) Classify the problem's context to choose the strategy: - **Clear/Obvious** -> apply best practice directly; skip to Stage 6. - **Complicated** -> expert analysis