First Principles Thinking Approach
Also known as reasoning from first principles, it involves breaking down a problem into it's fundamental elements and then building an argument from there
The first principles approach is a problem-solving method that breaks down complex problems into their fundamental elements to understand and address them more effectively. Instead of relying on assumptions, it focuses on fundamental truths and builds from there to discover innovative and effective solutions. By focusing on the most basic components, it encourages creative thinking, deep understanding, and efficient problem-solving (avoiding redundant, ineffective, or unimportant solutions).
Steps:
🎯 Identify the Problem: Clearly define the issue to be solved.
🔨 Break Down the Problem: Deconstruct it into basic components.
🔎 Analyze the Fundamentals: Understand the core principles and truths of each component.
🔧 Reconstruct from the Ground Up: Build solutions based on these fundamental insights, free from existing assumptions.
Example IRL:
Instead of building rockets based on existing designs and components, SpaceX analyzed the fundamental materials and processes, leading to significant cost reductions, innovative designs, and speed to market.