How to solve a problem To address an issue, one must first discover the underlying reason, then brainstorm potential solutions, analyze and select the most viable option, and then implement and monitor its effectiveness. UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals Linear thinking Linear thinking is a logical, step-by-step approach to problem-solving or decision-making that entails breaking big situations down into smaller, more manageable components and tackling each component one at a time. Systems thinking Systems thinking is a problem-solving strategy that analyses the interrelationships and interdependencies among components of a complex system in order to understand how they interact and affect the system's overall behavior. source: Linear Thinking Versus Systems Thinking — Scott Miker