Problem Solving 101 A Simple Book For Smart People

Problem Solving 101: A Simple Book for Smart People is a short, practical guide to clear thinking, decision-making, and structured problem-solving by Ken Watanabe. Originally designed to help Japanese schoolchildren move beyond memorization and develop critical-thinking skills, it later became popular with adult readers, managers, and business professionals.

The book uses simple illustrations, diagrams, and relatable examples to introduce tools such as logic trees, hypothesis testing, decision tables, pros-and-cons analysis, and criteria-based evaluation. Its aim is not merely to supply answers, but to teach readers how to frame a problem accurately and find stronger solutions more efficiently.

For example, instead of treating “my grades are poor” as the problem itself, the method encourages a reader to break it down: Which subject? What evidence shows the cause—lack of time, an unclear concept, ineffective study habits, or something else? Only then should they choose an action, such as changing a study schedule or seeking targeted help.