Six Questions for Effective Thinking and Problem-Solving

“IDEALS”

Identify the problem. — “What’s the real question we’re facing here?”

Define the context. — “What are the facts and circumstances that frame this problem?”

Enumerate choices. — “What are our most plausible three or four options?”

Analyze options. — “What is our best course of action, all things considered?”

List reasons explicitly. — “Exactly why we are making this choice rather than another?”

Self-correct. — “Okay, let’s look at it again. What did we miss?”