Problem-Solving Mistakes Checklist

Before you implement a solution, use this checklist. If you check any box in the "Am I making this mistake?" section, stop and investigate further.

❌ Mistake 1: Jumping to Solutions

Signs: You decided on a fix before fully understanding why the problem occurs.

Cost: You waste time and money fixing the wrong thing. The problem comes back.

✅ Fix: Ask "Why?" at least three times before choosing a solution.

❌ Mistake 2: Not Including the Right People

Signs: You solved the problem alone without talking to people who do the work daily.

Cost: You miss important details. The solution doesn't work as expected.

✅ Fix: Always involve operators, technicians, and others closest to the problem.

❌ Mistake 3: Ignoring the Data

Signs: Your understanding of the problem is based on feelings or memory, not actual counts or measurements.

Cost: You can't tell if your solution actually worked.

✅ Fix: Measure before AND after any change. Even simple counts help.

❌ Mistake 4: Stopping Too Soon

Signs: The symptom went away temporarily, so you stopped investigating.

Cost: The root cause is still there. The problem will return — often worse.

✅ Fix: Keep asking "Why?" until you reach something you can permanently control.

❌ Mistake 5: Blaming People

Signs: Your investigation is focused on who made a mistake, not what process allowed it.

Cost: People hide problems. The system stays broken. Problems recur.

✅ Fix: Focus on processes and systems. Fix the system so anyone would succeed.

Self-Check — Before Implementing Your Solution:

If you checked all boxes → you're ready to proceed.
If any are unchecked → go back and investigate further before acting.