Solvitur ambulando: This phrase from the Greek philosopher Diogenes translates more or less to ‘it is solved by walking’. And, indeed, there is something about walking that helps both clear the mind and think clearly.

Try a walk to get a different perspective on a problem when you’ve been banging your head against one sat at your desk. Or try a walking a meeting with the bonus that you get a bit of exercise in too.

Solvitur ambulando

Did you you know, a rubber duck can help you solve your problem? Or, a teddy bear, or, heck, a table, whatever. Have you ever been called over to someone’s desk to help them solve a problem, and as they explain what they were doing to you they figure out the answer themselves?

Rubberducking is the simple technique of explaining your code, or whatever you’re working on, to a rubber duck, and, in the process of explaining it, finding the answer yourself. Surprisingly effective, and way cheaper than hiring a contractor for the day.

Rubberducking

I love this little problem solving tool from TRIZ that invites you to compose your problem of smart little people and ask, “what would they do?”

I was trying to illustrate how they might find a solution to a cut with what is effectively a clot.

Smart little people

The classic thinking framework from Edward De Bono. Though I’m yet to be in a meeting where everyone’s familiar enough with it that it wouldn’t sound a bit nuts to propose it. Ah well.

Six thinking hats

One of the 40 inventive principles. Application not limited to mechanical engineering.

Cheap disposable objects

The idea of resolving contradictions I was taught by Darrell Mann. This neat example from Simon Dewulf.

Sketchplanations tagged with problem-solving