Decision Frameworks
| Situation | Framework | |-----------|-----------| | Challenge assumptions | First Principles | | Find root cause | 5 Whys | | Prioritize tasks | Eisenhower Matrix | | Focus effort | Pareto 80/20 | | Identify risks | Inversion | | Map consequences | Second-Order Thinking | | Compare options | Decision Matrix |
Processes
First Principles: State problem → list assumptions → challenge each → identify fundamentals → build from truths.
5 Whys: State problem → ask "why?" iteratively → verify chain backwards → act on deepest cause.
Eisenhower: Urgent+Important (do), Not-Urgent+Important (schedule), Urgent+Not-Important (delegate), Neither (eliminate).
Pareto: List items → measure impact → sort → find ~20% driving ~80% → focus there.
Inversion: State goal → "what guarantees failure?" → list failure modes → invert into prevention.
Second-Order: Map effects → map what THOSE cause → find hidden costs → decide with full picture.
Decision Matrix: List options → weighted criteria → score each → sum → sanity check winner.