Most people think solving problems is all about having the right answer.

You win when you find the perfect fix, or so the thinking goes. Except maybe that’s not the goal at all. Maybe great problem solvers play a different game.

A creator recently shared a visual that breaks down a smarter way to approach any problem and find a solution.

Here it is:

This framework reveals that most problems can be solved when using a process of steps.

A Harvard Business Review study found that when leaders take time to map root causes and dependencies, they uncover entirely different solutions. The research team analyzed 120 corporate teams across multiple industries. They found that those who used structured problem-solving frameworks were 35% more likely to identify leverage points.

These results suggest that clarity, not creativity, drives effective problem solving. Our brains relax when there’s structure, which helps us make smarter decisions.

Seriously, it’s wild. The framework is the perfect example.

How many times have you gotten stuck on a problem using brute force? I have, more times than I can count.

Despite all of this, the framework highlights one example: it helps to slow down your thinking. When you slow down, you’re solving fewer things but solving them better.