Les problems suffer from a rather negative connotation, when in reality they are our lifelong friends.

In this period of elections, I suggest that you launch the Movement for the Rehabilitation of Problems.

Problems: how do you identify them, ask them, love them and solve them?

What is the problem?

There are many different types of problems.

Some are very friendly: the gage, the mystery, the Willingness to change.
Others a little less: themishap, thecrash.

Depending on the situation:

• The problem is more or less urgent to fix. Think of the pilot facing an engine failure.
• The search for a solution is more or less willing Or more or less needful.

A bit of etymology: problem comes from ancient Greek Problêma, “what is projected forward”.

In everyday language, a problem is a situation in which a obstacle prevents progress. It generates a dissatisfaction Or a frustration.

In cognitive psychology, it is broken down as follows:

• One task to be carried out
• In defined conditions
• No known solution

Long live the real problems

Let's put aside the small worries of everyday life and focus on tough problems.

1. The paradox

It combines two elements in conflicting tension.

The famous example: the Chicken and egg.
A problem that has stimulated biology for over 2000 years.

2. Impossible objects

Representations that are contrary to physical laws.

The Blivet, the Penrose Triangle, or the works of Oscar Reutersvärd.

These objects defy our logic and provide food for thought.

3. Fermat's theorem

A mathematical problem remained unsolved for 300 years, until Andrew Wiles demonstrated it in 1994.

The big problems have this virtue: they Pull knowledge to the top.

How do you create a problem?

Never go straight to a solution.

One problem may hide another.

Take the time to identify:

• The Problem expressed
• The Problem felt
• The Real problem, the one that will have to be solved

Three priorities: question, question, question

The classic tool remains the QQCOQP :

Who?
What?
How?
Where?
When?
Why?

To get back to the real problem, use the method of 5 why.

In industrial worlds, a Pareto chart, a Tree of causes Or a functional analysis can be valuable.

Experience the problem

Immerse yourself in the problem with your heart and guts. That changes everything.

Describe the problem

• Is it ancient?
• Is the resolution urgent?
• Do you need outside help?

How to solve a problem that has arisen?

Option 1: mobilizing experts

Internal or external experts may suffice.

Join their research. You will learn and save time for the future.

Option 2: come up with new ideas as a team

Get help from a good creative animator.

Some effective tools:

• La Creative Problem Solving
• The brainstorming
• THEanalogy
• The Daydream

To explore the solutions further:

• Intersect ways of thinking: inductive, deductive, linear, lateral

And finally:

Action plan.
Test.
Results.
Corrective actions.

Bonus: Fermat's theorem, an inspiring example

According to Gauss, Fermat's theorem embodies “the simplicity of the statement combined with the difficulty of the proofs.”

To demonstrate this, it was necessary:

• 330 years of effort
• The best mathematicians
• Dozens of false solutions
• The prior resolution of particular cases
• Numerous competitions remained unsuccessful

These efforts were not in vain.

They made it possible to develop new concepts and to open up new perspectives.

Andrew Wiles's solution builds on all of the previous work. So there is a collaboration over time.

And above all, Wiles embodies the resistance to failure. In 1993, just before publishing his demonstration, he discovered a major error and had to resume an essential part of his work.

A problem is not a barrier.
It is a An invitation to progress.

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