Problem solving is the process of recognizing a gap between where you are and where you want to be, figuring out what’s causing that gap, and taking steps to remove the obstacles in the way. It’s a mental skill set you use constantly, from fixing a small tech glitch to tackling complex business or life challenges.

What is problem solving?

Problem solving is usually defined as a step‑by‑step cognitive process where you: identify a problem, analyze its causes, generate options, choose a solution, and test whether it works. In simple terms, it’s how you move from “there’s an issue” to “this is fixed (or at least better).”

Typical elements:

  • A goal you want but haven’t reached yet (better grades, smoother workflow, improved relationship).
  • Obstacles blocking that goal (lack of information, conflicting priorities, limited resources, emotions, habits).
  • A deliberate attempt to overcome those obstacles using reasoning, creativity, or experience.

Psychology describes problem solving as constructing a mental picture of the situation, trying out various solution ideas in your mind, then applying the one that seems most effective.

A quick everyday example:
Your phone won’t charge. You check the cable, the socket, restart the phone, and maybe clean the charging port. You’re defining the problem, testing causes, and trying solutions until one works.

A simple problem‑solving cycle

Even though models vary, most modern guides describe a loop like this.

  1. Define the problem clearly
    • What exactly is wrong? Where, when, and with whom does it happen?
 * Example: Not “the project is a mess,” but “we consistently miss deadlines by 3–4 days because tasks lack clear owners.”
  1. Analyze causes
    • Ask questions like who, what, when, where, why, and how often to get to root causes.
 * Techniques such as “5 Whys” and cause‑and‑effect (fishbone) diagrams help uncover deeper issues, not just surface symptoms.
  1. Generate options
    • Brainstorm multiple possible solutions before judging them, mixing logical and creative ideas.
 * Methods like mind mapping, “How might we…?” prompts, or structured ideation workshops are common in design and business.
  1. Choose and plan a solution
    • Compare options for feasibility, impact, risks, and resources.
 * Decide what to do, who will do it, and by when, then communicate the plan clearly.
  1. Implement and monitor
    • Put the plan into action and track whether the problem actually gets better.
 * If results are weak, adjust or try a different option—problem solving is iterative.
  1. Sustain and learn
    • When something works, standardize it (new habit, checklist, policy, or system) so the problem doesn’t quietly return.
 * Reflect on what you learned so future problems are easier to handle.

Types of problem solving

Experts often distinguish between different kinds of problems and styles.

  • Simple vs. complex problems
    • Simple: One clear cause, one or few obvious solutions (e.g., “printer out of paper”).
* Complex: Many interrelated causes, uncertainty, and trade‑offs (e.g., “why is staff burnout increasing?”).
  • Analytical vs. creative problem solving
    • Analytical: Break issues into parts, use data, logic, and step‑by‑step reasoning.
* Creative: Reframe the challenge, combine ideas in new ways, and explore unconventional options.
  • Individual vs. collaborative problem solving
    • Individual: One person reflects, researches, and decides.
* Collaborative: A group shares perspectives, questions assumptions, and co‑creates solutions—common in workplaces and innovation teams.
  • Reactive vs. proactive
    • Reactive: Responding to problems after they appear (a bug reported by a user).
* Proactive: Anticipating issues and designing systems to prevent them (stress‑testing a product before launch).

Popular techniques (quick tour)

Modern articles and guides highlight a range of structured tools for better problem solving.

  • 5 Whys – Ask “why?” repeatedly until you hit a root cause instead of stopping at the first explanation.
  • Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram – Draw a “fish skeleton” where the head is the problem and each “bone” is a category of possible causes (people, process, technology, environment, etc.).
  • Mind mapping – Put the central problem in the middle of a page and branch out related ideas to see connections and spark solutions.
  • Journalistic Six (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How) – Systematically explore all angles of a situation, often used in team workshops.
  • Divide and conquer – Break a big problem into smaller, more solvable chunks.

In workplaces, these tools are often combined into formal problem‑solving frameworks and quality programs (for example, root cause analysis within continuous improvement systems).

Why problem solving matters today

Problem solving is considered a core life and career competency in education, psychology, and business. Current workplace and academic materials emphasize it as essential for navigating rapid technological change, complex organizations, and uncertain global conditions.

Some 2020s trends around problem solving include:

  • Stronger focus on critical thinking and evidence‑based decisions, not just gut feeling.
  • Increased use of collaborative, cross‑disciplinary teams to tackle complex challenges.
  • Blending human judgment with data analytics and AI tools to explore options.
  • Emphasis on resilience and learning from failure, treating problems as feedback loops rather than one‑time crises.

In everyday life, improving your problem‑solving skills generally means practicing clearer problem definitions, staying curious instead of defensive, and deliberately testing solutions instead of guessing once and giving up.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.