Problem Traversal Theory TL;DR

Born from first principles thinking and rooted in Philosophy and Buddhism, Problem Traversal Theory (PTT) is a desire-centric framework created by Shadow Smith for systematically exploring a problem domain, discovering outside-the-box solutions, and generating value.

There are 2 phases, Understand and Solve.

To understand:

Identify a problem by writing down a desire using this formula:
```
[Sentient entity] want(s) [thing] [potential state].
```
Validate the desire by asking a question using this formula:
```
Does\Do [sentient entity] truly want [thing] [potential state]?
```
If it isn’t valid, the problem is cleared.
If it is, traverse up to a parent problem by asking a “Why” question using this formula:
```
Why does/do [sentient entity] want [thing] [potential state]?`
```
Identify a parent problem by writing down a desire found in the answer to the “Why” question using this formula:
```
[Sentient entity] want(s) [thing] [potential state].
```
Validate the desire by asking a question using this formula:
```
Does\Do [sentient entity] truly want [thing] [potential state]?
```
If it isn’t valid, the problem is cleared.
If it is, repeat the traverse up, identify, validate loop until you clear the problem or understand the problem’s lineage enough to begin to solve.

To solve:

Traverse down the problem’s lineage to a solution by asking a “How” question using this formula:
```
How could/can [thing] [potential state]?
```
Identify a solution by writing down a potential desire found in the answer to the “How” question using this formula:
```
[Sentient entity] could want [thing] [potential state].
```
Validate the potential desire by asking a question using this formula:
```
Does\Do [sentient entity] truly want [thing] [potential state]?
```
If it isn’t valid, traverse back up and repeat the traverse down, identify, validate loop until you identify a potential desire that is valid.
Implement the solution to clear the problem.

Glossary