How To Choose A Subproblem

16 hours ago

Junior researchers struggle with long-term problems, needing to break 400-hour problems into smaller 1-hour ones.
Subproblems can be created by asking simpler questions, studying simpler systems, or fact-finding.
Toy problems and limits help simplify complex problems for easier analysis.
Valuable subproblems provide actionable information, skill-building, and strategic insights.
Graphs are high-information tools that often reveal surprises, even if not immediately actionable.
Investing in human capital through learning is valuable but should be relevant to the main problem.
Failing early isn't always optimal; persistence and patching can salvage promising approaches.
Bad subproblems are vague, too hard (lacking a plan), too easy (yielding little insight), or useless.
Easy checks can save time, even if they often confirm expectations.
Seek external perspectives to avoid wasting time on overly hard or useless subproblems.

Hasty Briefsbeta