Pathwise

Manuals / Problem Solving / Chapter 1

Start · beginner · ~20 min · Chapter 1 of 9

The solving trap

A wrong problem well-solved wastes weeks. The first skill is noticing when you are solving the wrong thing.

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Step 1 of 1

Symptom vs root

"Tests are flaky" is a symptom. "We don't isolate test data" might be the problem.

Symptom vs rootDrag stickies · tap for tips
Study mapDrag stickies · tap for tipsKeep it shortdrag · tap →Name the waitdrag · tap →Scope locatorsdrag · tap →Trace when stuckdrag · tap →One browser firstdrag · tap →Isolate statedrag · tap →Assert the UIdrag · tap →Retry wiselydrag · tap →Seed datadrag · tap →Close the loopdrag · tap →Keep it shortdrag · tap →Name the waitdrag · tap →Scope locatorsdrag · tap →Trace when stuckdrag · tap →One browser firstdrag · tap →Isolate statedrag · tap →Pathwise hackdrag · tap →Symptom vs rootdrag · tap →Try thisdrag · tap →Follow the dashed drag · tap →

Do this now

Take one current annoyance. Write symptom vs possible root cause.

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Chapter learning outcomes
  • Solution bias
  • Problem vs symptom
  • Pause habit

Clear these before you leave

Side quest

Pause log

Before your next fix, write the problem in one sentence.