Define the Problem—Correctly

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 The longest word in many English dictionaries is "Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis," a lung disease caused by inhaling very fine ash and sand dust.
 

Today's post is inspired by the influx of Excel formula-related questions people have asked me (even though I'm not that good at it).

Steve Jobs said, "If you define the problem correctly, you almost have the solution." I've solved many problems by doing this well enough.

When you are unable to put your problem into words, you have a harder time finding the solution since you will be Googling or prompting ChatGPT with the wrong things.

Imagine a dictionary with a bunch of nonsensical definitions – pretty useless, right? That's what our problem-solving process becomes without a solid starting point.

Speaking of foundations, did you know I used to obsess over the origin of words (aka etymology) in science class? Turns out, every word has a story, and it can be surprisingly illuminating.

Take, for example, the term "mitochondrion." It comes from the Greek words "mitos," meaning thread, and "chondrion," meaning granule. The name reflects the appearance of these organelles when they were first observed under a microscope.


Alright, enough with the Biology, let's get down to business and define those problems like a boss:


Step 1: Take a Deep Breath

Before diving into problem-solving, take a moment to clear your mind. A calm and focused approach is essential for accurately defining the issue.


Step 2: Write Down the Problem

Start by jotting down what you believe the problem is. Be as specific as possible. Instead of writing "Excel formula not working," try "Excel SUMIF formula returning incorrect values."


Step 3: Break It Down

Break the problem into smaller, more manageable parts. For example, with the Excel formula issue, consider the components: the formula itself, the criteria, the data range, and any potential errors in the input.


Step 4: Ask Why

Channel your inner toddler and ask "why" repeatedly. Why is the formula returning incorrect values? Why might the criteria not be matching correctly? This can help you uncover the root cause of the problem.


Step 5: Define the Problem Clearly

Now, with all the information at hand, define the problem clearly and concisely. "The SUMIF formula is returning incorrect values because the criteria range contains text that does not match exactly with the data range."


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