- A Problem-Solving Pattern
- Step 2: Understand the Environment
- Step 3: List Hypotheses
- Step 4: Prioritize Hypotheses and Narrow Focus
- Step 5: Create a Plan of Attack
- Step 6: Act on Your Plan
- Step 7: Test Results
- Step 8: Apply Results of Testing to Hypotheses
- Step 9: Iterate as Needed
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Step 9: Iterate as Needed
Most often, you won't need to go all the way back to Step 1 or 2. Instead, you'll be able to go back to Step 4 to reprioritize and refocus. You might find that the things you learned in your most recent test point you in a slightly different direction. It is also possible that you will find another possibilityæin this case, you can jump back to Step 3 and add it to your list.
If you've completely run out of possible causes or found additional information, you might even want to go all the way back to Step 1 and restate the problem just to make sure that you've not missed the mark completely.