Framing Problems - Being Human
Want to be Human? Read this book!
I recently completed the book “Framers” and learned tremendously from it. I love how the authors broke down the problem framing process into just three component.
They are Causality, CounterFactuals, and Constraints.
Human be Framing
Problem framing will always remain a domain of human expertise because it requires context, judgment, and an understanding of broader implications - things that machines struggle with. While AI excels at computation, pattern recognition, and optimization, it cannot define what problems truly matter, weigh ethical considerations, navigate ambiguity, and many more. Humans can bring the critical thinking needed to ask the right questions, identify trade-offs, and align problem-solving with real-world needs. By honing our ability to frame problems effectively, we can then leverage AI for what it does best - processing vast amounts of data and executing solutions at scale. The synergy of human intuition and computational power is what leads to meaningful innovation and impact.
Causality
Causality helps distinguish correlation from true cause-and-effect relationships. Understanding what drives an outcome allows for better decision-making, targeted interventions, and more effective solutions. Surface-level patterns coupled together with causality chains can assist in pointing out root causes. By identifying causal mechanisms, we can frame problems more precisely, ask the right questions, and design solutions that lead to meaningful and lasting impacts.
Constraints
Understanding constraints is crucial for problem framing because it defines the boundaries within which solutions must operate. Constraints shape what is feasible and help prioritize efforts. Ignoring them can lead to unrealistic solutions that fail in practice. By recognizing constraints early, problem-solvers can focus on workable strategies, creatively navigate limitations, and ensure that their approach aligns with real-world conditions, leading to more practical and impactful outcomes.
CounterFactuals
Counterfactuals refine problem framing by exploring “What if?” scenarios, revealing root causes and alternative solutions. This helps challenge assumptions, uncover constraints, and improve decision-making, ensuring a more rigorous and insightful approach to solving problems. To be able to ask the right “What If?” questions, followed by understanding how the answers to these questions draw back to the context at hand will need human intelligence for sure!
Thoughts after Reading
I love this book! There are two aspects why I love it. Firstly, the breakdown of how to frame problems into very simple elements, Causality, Constraints and Counterfactuals. This makes it digestible and leading to the second aspect on why I love it, it makes me more human. And last but not least, I love to solve problems and I hope to apply the knowledge gained from the book as much as possible.
Thoughts? Comment below!
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