Problem Solving 101: A Simple Book for Smart People

I assume some readers may find this book overly simplified, as author Ken Watanabe uses fairly simple examples to teach problem solving skills in what is a rather short book. Don't be fooled by the relatively straight-forward nature of the problems involved; it's the core concepts of problem solving that are important, and Watanabe presents these in a clear and accessible manner. For me, the empahsis on hypothesis testing was the most important piece of information. Many of us make assumptions about the nature of our problems, or the efficacy of our proposed solutions, without ever bothering to really test them. Watanabe show us how to challenge these assupmtion by testing hypotheses and reducing the possibility of following false leads. In addition, Watanabe demonstrates the need for problem solvers to re-examine solutions that may at first appear inadequate or unrealistic; with some creative thinking these options may turn out to be quite feasible. I strongly recommend this book for high schoolers, who may identify more readily with the examples, and who would benefit greatly from learning the key skills of problem solving and decision making.

Yes, it's written for kids, but it's perfect for adults, too. I discuss this book on episode 4 of the Real Time Decisions Webcast - a podcast available on iTunes or at [...]

Although this book was originally intended for school children, it should be read by every adult too. It distills problem solving down to simple and easy to understand techniques. I was already familiar with most of the techniques that Watanabe describes in the book, and have seen many McKinsey consultants using the same process and tools on various projects that I've been involved in. But for me, the 'magic' of this book was the simplicity of how Watanabe describes the problem solving process in enjoyable and memorable stories. Highly recommended.

I am a business book junkie. Most go in a drawer. A few go to the top of the desk. "The Toyota Way", "Ready, Fire, Aim", "Blue Ocean Strategy", "The Four Hour Work Week", "Elementary Statistics", and now "Problem Solving 101". These books are within reach all the time because they are that useful. Outstanding and creative document! Buy it!

This is a fabulous little book and useful for everyone. You can use it to teach yourself or remind yourself of the solid basics of problem solving. Or you can use it within your team so that everyone is working on problems with the same approach. And you can use it to teach your children how to approach the problems they face everyday of their life. While the author originally wrote it as a children's book in Japan, it became a big bestseller there in the business world. Watanabe has adapted it for you and me, but still keeps that same childlike simplicity that makes the book so clear and so valuable. I think that the book has become such a sensation because the book speaks clearly but not condescendingly. The book teaches basic principles without oversimplifying them. There are four "classes" or stories in the book that take you through a core principle in Watanabe's method (remember he was a consultant at McKinsey after studying at both Yale and Harvard). The first class shows you how your attitude and approach to the problems you face has a huge impact on whether you can handle the problems or not. The author provides four steps to problem solving: 1) understand the current situation 2) identify the root cause of the problem (not being satisfied with merely labeling symptoms) 3) develop an effective action plan (not falling for the trap of doing SOMETHNG) 4) execute until the problem is solved while making modifications as you learn. The problems-solving tool boxes are also terrific. They are: - Logic Tree - Yes/No Tree - Problem-Solving Design Plan - Hypothesis Pyramid - Pros and Cons Really, this book is for everyone and something you can use in many different ways. Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI