How to Validate a Problem Lineage

Validation is how you avoid wasting time on misproblems—perceived problems that lack genuine desire. By checking that your lineage hierarchy is logically sound and confirming that each desire is real, you ensure your efforts are directed at problems that truly matter. Validation also transforms potential problems (solutions) into actual problems when the sentient entity confirms their desire.

1. Validate a Problem Lineage hierarchy.
2. Validate a Problem Lineage's desires.

How to Validate a Problem Lineage Hierarchy

1. Ask Why does/do [sentient entity] want [thing] [potential state]? on all descendant problems and ensure all ancestor problems are plausible answers. If this is not the case, continue to traverse the Problem Lineage or remove unrelated problems from the lineage.
2. Ask How could/can [thing] [potential state]? on all ancestor problems and ensure all descendant problems are plausible answers. If this is not the case, continue to traverse the Problem Lineage or remove unrelated problems from the lineage.

How to Validate a Problem Lineage's Desires

Validating a Problem Lineage's desires is how you avoid wasting time. It is also the activity that turns potential problems (solutions) into problems because the sentient entity’s desires go from potential to real.

To validate a Problem Lineage's Desires:

1. Write a question for each problem or potential problem using this formula: Does/Do [sentient entity] truly want [thing] [potential state]?
2. Answer each by gathering evidence—likely through interviewing the sentient entity (an individual or someone with authority to speak on behalf of a group of people).
3. If you invalidate the desire, the problem no longer exists and can be removed from the lineage.