Problem Identification

Problem Identification

Goals

  1. Describe this skill.
  2. Excel at it.

What

This skill involves identifying the most worthwhile problem to solve.

Why (WIFM)

Here are some reasons why learning and applying this skill is worthwhile.

  1. Maximize your motivation so that you want to work.
  2. Maximize the value you get from your work.
  3. Have clarity; know what matters.

How To

  1. Roles. Identify your major areas of responsibility.
  2. Diamond Logic. For each role area,
    1. Generating Question. Here are some examples
      • What do I most want in the long term?
      • What do I most want today to get to my long term aspiration? What issues do face.
    2. Options: Generate as many responses as you can.
    3. Best Option: Select the best option which is the one that maximizes your Payoffs. Aim for Focus

Examples

Here are some of the roles of Person A: mother, wife, daughter, tennis-player, flute-player, manager of a large team at a technology company, member of company executive board, and finance-manager for the family.

Tennis Player Role

Long-Term Aspiration: Be fit, injury-free, and one of the top five competitors in town.

Selected Problem: Watch and extract insights from serving videos.
Reason: Builds consistency in serve—high payoff for performance and confidence.

Manager Role

Long-Term Aspiration: Release a killer product on time and budget + create a great team experience.

Selected Problems: Focus on resolving coding bottlenecks and clarifying team priorities.
Reason: Directly supports timely release and smoother collaboration.

Finance Manager Role

Long-Term Aspiration: Ensure family finances are stable, transparent, and stress-free.

Selected Problem: Eliminate high-interest balance first.
Reason: Immediate savings, reduced stress, and clearer path for long-term planning.