Pathwise

Manuals / Problem Solving / Chapter 8

C · Systems · advanced · ~35 min · Chapter 8 of 9

Systems thinking & second-order effects

Every fix has side effects. "We added retries" → "now we mask real failures." Map feedback loops before committing.

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Step 1 of 2

Second-order brainstorm

For a proposed fix, ask "and then what?" three times.

Second-order brainstormDrag 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 →Second-order braindrag · tap →Try thisdrag · tap →Follow the dashed drag · tap →

Do this now

Apply to one current proposal at work.

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Chapter learning outcomes
  • Feedback loops
  • Second-order effects
  • Unintended consequences

Clear these before you leave

Side quest

Pre-mortem

Before starting a project, imagine it failed. Why?