whereproblemis

Whereproblemis is a problem-solving heuristic focused on identifying the locus of a problem within a system or process. The term is used in educational materials and professional guides as a reminder to distinguish symptoms from root causes by locating where the problem is most strongly manifested.

Origin and usage: The phrase appears in online problem-solving discussions and in some problem-solving methodologies dating from the 2010s onward. It is typically used as a shorthand for the step of pinpointing the problem’s location within a network of interacting components, routines, or people.

Approach: Practitioners following whereproblemis start by framing the problem at a high level, then gather evidence to triangulate the locus. They test hypotheses by introducing targeted changes in suspected locations and observe effects, seeking to confirm that the locus is correctly identified before broader changes are made.

Applications: The concept is applied in software debugging, manufacturing, operations, and service design, where locating the exact site of a fault can reduce effort and avoid unnecessary fixes elsewhere.

Relation and critique: Whereproblemis is related to root cause analysis and systems thinking but emphasizes speed and precision in locating the problem. Critics caution that focusing on location alone can miss systemic causes if data are incomplete.

See also: root cause analysis, Ishikawa diagram, systems thinking, five whys, debugging.

References: Used in educational problem-solving resources and practitioner guides that discuss locating the problem locus as a first step.