No. #142
Occam's Razor
- Simplicity as a Heuristic
Occam's razor is the problem-solving principle that, when presented with competing hypothetical answers to a problem, one should select the one that makes the fewest assumptions. While not a cognitive bias itself, it's a heuristic that can help counteract biases by favoring simpler explanations over more complex ones. It can guide product development and problem-solving processes.
Read more on WikipediaProduct example
When diagnosing user experience issues in an app, developers might apply Occam's razor to identify the simplest explanation for user difficulties, leading to more straightforward solutions.
Empathy tips
Promote Simplicity in Solutions
Encourage the search for the simplest viable solution to problems.
Educate on Heuristic Use
Educate teams on the use of heuristics like Occam's razor in problem-solving.
Review Processes for Complexity
Review problem-solving processes to ensure simpler solutions are not overlooked.
Bias Awareness Training
Include training on how biases can complicate problem-solving and how heuristics can help simplify it.
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