Problem-Solving

If we manage to anticipate and pre-empt a problem in time, we can deal with it with less resources.

We usually don’t have enough resources to resolve all the problems at once,
so we have to prioritize them, probably put in groups or batches, and resolve step by step.

Some problems are getting worse with time, so it is better to resolve them as fast as we can. Other problems dissipate with time and even disappear.

It is better to move slowly but surely in the right direction,
than to go very fast in the wrong direction further away from your goals.

Sometimes we know the solution and just need time and some resources to solve the problem, but sometimes we don’t know a solution and have to think ‘out of the box’ and invent one.

There is usually more than one problem, so we need to figure out the best way
to divide our time and resources among several problems.

Often we don’t have all the necessary information or it is inaccurate.
Sometimes we are misinformed or given distorted or misleading information,
so we have to deal with uncertainties.

If a person over-reacts it often makes the problem worse, so we have to measure our response.

Perfect solutions are usually found for idealistic problems that don’t exist in the real world.
Most solutions usually have side effects.
Radical and some seemingly effective ‘solutions’ often create more problems in long-term.
We have to foresee the possible consequences before choosing the most effective solution.

When people make inconsiderate decisions they often create problems for themselves.


Vocabulary

to manage  -  суметь
to anticipate  -  предчувствовать
to pre-empt  -  предвосхищать
in time  -  заблаговременно
to deal  -  справляться
to prioritize  -  ранжировать по приоритетам
to put in batches  -  группировать
to get worse  -  ухудшаться
to resolve  -  разрешать
to dissipate  -  ослабляться, рассеиваться
to disappear  -  исчезать
slowly but surely  -  медленно, но верно
further  -  дальше
solution  -  решение
to invent  -  изобретать
to figure out  -  выяснять
among  -  среди
inaccurate  -  неточный
to be misinformed  -  быть неверно проинформированным
distorted  -  искаженный
misleading  -  вводящий в заблуждение
uncertainty  -  неопределенность
to over-react  -  чрезмерно реагировать
to make something worse  -  усугублять (что-то)
to measure  -  соизмерять
idealistic  -  идеализированный
to exist  -  существовать
side effect  -  побочное явление
seemingly  -  кажущийся
in long-term  -  в перспективе
to foresee  -  предвидеть
consequences  -  последствия
inconsiderate  -  неосмотрительный

Alex Kritskiy, a private English teacher, Ph.D., 38-067-391-76-62