Fundamentals
Problem Traversal Theory (PTT) was developed by challenging strongly held universal definitions through years of decomposing each idea down to their smallest parts and reasoning back up to new ways of managing them.
At the heart of the theory is the idea that every problem is a desire. This leads to precise definitions of two foundational concepts that underpin all of PTT's activities:
What a Problem Is
In PTT, the idea of a problem has been broken down to its smallest indivisible parts and explicitly defined using them. Thinking about problems in this structured, mechanical way forms the foundation for its intuitive problem management activities.
A problem is defined as...
A sentient entity’s desire for a thing to transition from a current state to a specific potential state against resistance.
...and can be written using this formula: [Sentient entity] want(s) [thing] [potential state].
ex. Sally wants John's car to be properly maintained.
Problem Anatomy
The definition of a problem contains six parts. To truly master PTT, each must be understood.
What a Sentient Entity Is
Every problem begins with someone who wants something. That someone is the sentient entity.
A sentient entity is defined as...
One or more conscious life forms capable of desire.
This is typically a human—either individually or collectively as a team or organization—but can include animals. Without at least one sentient entity, there can be no desire, and without desire, there can be no problem.
ex. Sally is the sentient entity in "Sally wants John's car to be properly maintained."
What a Desire Is
If a sentient entity is the who behind a problem, then desire is the why.
A desire is defined as...
A wanting for a thing to have a specific state.
Desire is what transforms a neutral observation into a problem. Noticing that John's car is unreliable is just an observation. Wanting it to be reliable is what creates a problem.
What a Thing Is
Every desire has a subject—the thing that the sentient entity wants to change.
A thing is defined as...
An object or an idea.
Things can be concrete—perceivable through the senses, like a car, a book, or a person. They can also be abstract—imperceptible, like a personality, a relationship, or a meaning.
ex. John's car is the thing in "Sally wants John's car to be properly maintained."
What a State Is
A thing's state describes what it's like at any given moment.
A state is defined as...
A characteristic or circumstance of a thing.
A characteristic is an inherent feature of a thing—like a car being red or a person being tall. A circumstance is an external condition surrounding a thing—like a car being parked outside or a person being employed.
Both characteristics and circumstances can be concrete (observable) or abstract (inferred through analysis).
ex. "Properly maintained" is the potential state in "Sally wants John's car to be properly maintained."
What a Transition Is
Problems exist because things aren't yet in their desired states. The movement from one state to another is called a transition.
A transition is defined as...
A change from one state to another.
Every problem involves a desired transition—from a current state (what the thing is like now) to a potential state (what the sentient entity wants the thing to become).
What Resistance Is
Not all transitions are equally easy. The difficulty of moving from one state to another is called resistance.
Resistance is defined as...
The level of effort required for a thing to transition from one state to another.
Consider thirst. If you're holding a glass of water, the resistance to quenching your thirst is low—just raise the glass. But if you're stranded in a desert, the resistance is high—you must first find water.
This distinction matters because only problems with low resistance can be cleared directly. High-resistance problems must either have their resistance reduced or be decomposed into multiple lower-resistance problems.
What a Solution Is
In PTT, a solution shares the same indivisible parts as a problem but is rooted in a potential desire. As a result, solution and potential problem are used interchangeably within the theory.
A solution is defined as...
A sentient entity’s potential desire for a thing to transition from a current state to a specific potential state against resistance.
...and can be written using this formula: [Sentient entity] could want [thing] [potential state].
ex. Sally could want John’s car to be properly maintained.
Since a solution is treated as a potential problem, its formula uses the word "could" to signify its potential, unvalidated nature.