Our instinctive definition of the problem ineluctably leads to an instinctive definition of the solution

Too often, our instinctive definition of the problem ineluctably leads to an instinctive definition of the solution. This in turn leads to bad outcomes. Alternatively - foolish definitions lead to foolish solutions.

Our instinct is usually driven by heuristics, recent impressions, ignored biases and ill-grounded stereotypes. It is a weak foundation.

The correct approach, time and resources permitting, is to explore and iterate the problem until we can define it in its context and in terms of our objectives and then to explore the assumptions and possibilities of a range of solutions.

We treat ourselves as infallible gods, ignoring our history of fallibility.