- put all the problems/insights/concerns (that I am aware of) in front of me;
- stare at them until I have a broad-strokes solution;
- then, refine the broad strokes solution, and see if it still works;
- keep doing that until I feel like the only thing left to do is to implement the solution.
I find that the "stare at it until I see how to solve it" part tends to be very slow and incompatible with collaboration.
How to approach problem-solving better? Any recommendations? Books?
Also if its about personal problems that involves your own values or considerations, I would suggest the WOOP method. Read "rethink positive thinking"; its a slow read but important to fully understand the purpose.
There's something to be said about mindless increases in observation and familiarity even when focused mindful action is fairly urgent.
Either way you will often come to the same conclusions but if not, the relatively mindless session will sometimes yield ideas that you could not come up with any other way.
>How do you solve big, complex problems?
The most direct thing I try to do is have straightforward simplifying solutions that are no more complex than necessary. And that will lead to further simplification if possible.
Looking at all the variables at once may make things seem unsurmountable, but there is no other way to get the big picture even when nobody will ever fully understand it at first glance.
Edit: this is basically what AI is supposed to do, come up with worthwhile conclusions by just staring at the data. If you're also a living breathing subject matter expert and you do this in parallel that should be even better.