First Principles Problem Solving
Break complex problems down to fundamental truths and rebuild.
Explanation
Instead of accepting conventional approaches or making incremental improvements, first principles problem solving means stripping away all assumptions and rebuilding solutions from the most basic truths. This approach can reveal entirely new ways to solve old problems by questioning everything that's typically taken for granted.
Real-World Example
Traditional car manufacturing assumed cars must be built on assembly lines in sequence. Tesla questioned this assumption and built cars in parallel modules, reducing production time. Traditional education assumes students must learn in age-based groups at fixed paces. Some schools rebuild from 'how do humans actually learn best?'
How to Apply
List all your assumptions about the problem and solution. For each assumption, ask 'Is this necessarily true or just the way it's always been done?' Strip down to fundamental constraints (physics, human nature, economics). Rebuild solutions from these basics, ignoring conventional approaches. Ask: 'If I were solving this problem for the first time, what would I do?'