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12 Best Problem Solving Books to Read

By: Angela Robinson | Updated: June 30, 2023

You found our list of top problem solving books .

Problem solving books are guides that improve critical thinking capability and the ability to resolve issues in the workplace. These works cover topics like bias and logical fallacies, problem prevention, and prioritizing. The purpose of these books is to help workers remain calm under pressure and come up with solutions more quickly.

These guides are similar to decision making books , negotiation books , and conflict resolution books . To improve competency in this area, one can also play problem solving games .

This list includes:

• problem solving books for adults
• creative problem solving books
• business problem solving books
• problem solving books for programmers

Here we go!

List of problem solving books

Here is a list of books to improve problem solving skills in the workplace.

1. Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem Solving by Amy E Herman

Fixed is one of the most useful new books on problem solving. The book calls for problem solvers to look beyond instinctual and obvious answers and provides a framework for more creative thinking. While most folks think about problem solving in terms of logic, reason, and disciplines like math and science, this book shows the role that art and imagination play in the process. Amy Herman consulted on leadership training with Silicon Valley companies and military organizations and brings this expertise into the text to train readers on how to adopt a more innovative critical thinking approach.

Notable Quote: “Working through problems is critical for productivity, profit, and peace. Our problem-solving skills, however, have been short-circuited by our complicated, technology-reliant world.”

Read Fixed .

2. Cracked it!: How to solve big problems and sell solutions like top strategy consultants by Bernard Garrette, Corey Phelps, and Olivier Sibony

Cracked it! is one of the best creative problem solving books. Drawing inspiration from the tactics of consultants, this guide is a practical playbook for approaching business problems. The authors outline a “4S” method– State – Structure – Solve – Sell– to tackle obstacles and get support from stakeholders. While many problem solving books simply focus on how to think through issues, this guide also demonstrates how to gain approval for ideas and get others onboard with the solution. The book explains how to best use these techniques, and presents case studies that show the theories in action. Cracked it! is a handy reference for any professional that faces tough challenges on the regular.

Notable Quote: “If you want to know how a lion hunts, don’t go to a zoo. Go to the jungle.”

Read Cracked it!

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3. Upstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen by Dan Heath

Upstream takes a proactive approach to problem solving. The book urges readers to not only be responsive to issues, but also try to prevent obstacles from occurring. The guide opens with an exploration of “problem blindness,” and the psychological factors that cause folks to be oblivious to issues, along with a reminder that many problems are more controllable and avoidable than first assumed. The pages that follow outline a series of questions leaders can ask to fine-tune the system and steer clear of major headaches, for instance, “How Will You Unite the Right People?” and “How Will You Avoid Doing Harm?” Upstream is full of real world examples of how minor tweaks achieved major results and allowed organizations to sidestep serious holdups.

Notable Quote: “The postmortem for a problem can be the preamble to a solution.”

Read Upstream .

4. Problem Solving 101: A Simple Book for Smart People by Ken Watanabe

Problem Solving 101 is one of the most fun problem solving books for adults. Written by Ken Watanabe, the guide draws on Japanese philosophy as well as the author’s experience as a consultant at McKinsey to help readers understand and approach problems in productive ways. The pages provide blueprints for problem-solving methods such as logic trees and matrixes, and include scenarios and illustrations that help readers visualize the process more clearly. Problem Solving 101 breaks down the problem solving procedure into the most basic parts and lays out step-by-step instructions for choosing the best action in any situation.

Notable Quote: “When you do take action, every result is an opportunity to reflect and learn valuable lessons. Even if what you take away from your assessment seems to be of small consequence, all of these small improvements taken together make a huge difference in the long term.”

Read Problem Solving 101 .

5. What’s Your Problem?: To Solve Your Toughest Problems, Change the Problems You Solve by Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg

What’s Your Problem? insists that the most important step in the problem solving process is to start by honing in on the correct problem. The root of much frustration and wasted efforts is that professionals often pick the wrong points to focus on. This book teaches readers how to reframe and approach issues from a different perspective. The guide outlines a repeatable three step process “Frame, Reframe, and Move Forward” to ensure that workers prioritize effectively and stay on track to achieve desired results. What’s Your Problem? teaches professionals of all levels how to be less rigid and more results-focused and adopt a more agile approach to fixing issues.

Notable Quote: “The problems we’re trained on in school are often quite different from the ones we encounter in real life.”

Read What’s Your Problem?

6. Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, et al

Sprint is one of the best problem solving books for programmers. The authors are the creators of the five-day-process at Google. This guide describes best practices for conducting sprints and solving problems in limited timeframes. The book provides a day-by-day breakdown of tasks for each day of the workweek, with the final steps being designing a prototype and a plan for implementation. Though this idea originated in the tech world and is most widely used in the software industry, this problem-solving and product design approach can be useful for any position that needs to find fixes in a time crunch.

Notable Quote: “We’ve found that magic happens when we use big whiteboards to solve problems. As humans, our short-term memory is not all that good, but our spatial memory is awesome. A sprint room, plastered with notes, diagrams, printouts, and more, takes advantage of that spatial memory. The room itself becomes a sort of shared brain for the team.”

Read Sprint , and check out this guide to virtual hackathons and this list of product design books .

7. Think Like a Rocket Scientist: Simple Strategies You Can Use to Make Giant Leaps in Work and Life by Ozan Varol

Think Like a Rocket Scientist lays out formulas and instructions for thinking more strategically. The guide reveals common problem solving approaches used by rocket scientists when exploring the unknown and testing new technology. The book is split into three sections– launch, accelerate, and achieve– with deep dives into concepts such as moonshot thinking and overcoming failure. The anecdotes revolve around space exploration and rocket science yet the methods can be applied to more commonplace and less complex problems as well. Think Like a Rocket Scientist proves that one does not need to be a genius to be a genius problem solver and lets readers learn tricks from one of the most complex professions on the planet.

Notable Quote: “Critical thinking and creativity don’t come naturally to us. We’re hesitant to think big, reluctant to dance with uncertainty, and afraid of failure. These were necessary during the Paleolithic Period, keeping us safe from poisonous foods and predators. But here in the information age, they’re bugs.”

Read Think Like a Rocket Scientist .

8. Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything by Charles Conn and Robert McLean

Bulletproof Problem Solving is one of the best business problem solving books. This workbook-style-guide breaks down a “bulletproof” method of problem solving favored by consultants at McKinsey. The authors distill the process into seven simple steps–define the problem, disaggregate, prioritize, workplan, analyze, synthesize, and communicate– and give numerous examples of how to follow this cycle with different dilemmas. The chapters explore each stage in depth and outline the importance and finer points of each phase. The book also provides practical tools for readers to build skills, including an appendix with exercise worksheets.

Notable Quote: “Problem solving doesn’t stop at the point of reaching conclusions from individual analyses. Findings have to be assembled into a logical structure to test validity and then synthesized in a way that convinces others that you have a good solution. Great team processes are also important at this stage.”

Read Bulletproof Problem Solving .

9. Think Like a Programmer: An Introduction to Creative Problem Solving by by V. Anton Spraul

Think Like a Programmer is one of the top problem solving books for programmers. The guide lays out methods for finding and fixing bugs and creating clean, workable code. The text emphasizes that programming is not merely a matter of being competent in the language, but also knowing how to troubleshoot and respond to unexpected occurrences. The chapters present examples of problems and puzzles and work through the answers to help strengthen professional competencies. The book provides an introductory crash course and practical toolkit for beginning coders, with a focus on C++. Yet since the text outlines general theory and approach, the book is also helpful for dealing with other programming languages, or for solving problems in non-tech industries as well. The point of the text is to provide a proper mindset and attitude for reacting to these developments, and the book can be a benefit for folks in any field.

Notable Quote: “Don’t Get Frustrated The final technique isn’t so much a technique, but a maxim: Don’t get frustrated. When you are frustrated, you won’t think as clearly, you won’t work as efficiently, and everything will take longer and seem harder. Even worse, frustration tends to feed on itself, so that what begins as mild irritation ends as outright anger.”

Read Think Like a Programmer .

10. The Founder’s Dilemmas: Anticipating and Avoiding the Pitfalls That Can Sink a Startup by by Noam Wasserman

The Founder’s Dilemmas lays out the most common problems entrepreneurs face and gives advice on how to avoid or solve these issues. The book tackles topics such as managing relationships, hiring, and rewarding or correcting employees. The chapters outline the mistakes inexperienced leaders often make and offer strategies for handling these tough situations with more smarts and skill. By reading this book, founders can learn from predecessors and avoid making obvious and avoidable errors in judgment. The Founder’s Dilemmas is a problem-solving resource for startup leaders and team members who lack more traditional guidance.

Notable Quote: “Ideas are cheap; execution is dear.”

Read The Founder’s Dilemmas , and check out more entrepreneurial books .

11. The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don’t by Julia Galef

The Scout Mindset challenges readers to move beyond gut reactions and preconceptions and rethink problems. The book offers instructions for overcoming bias and central beliefs to gather more objective data. Julia Galef encourages readers to act more like scouts than soldiers and gather information without judging to make more informed decisions. The text outlines the common reasons folks jump to conclusions and offers advice on how to avoid incorrect assumptions and conduct level-headed analyses. The Scout Mindset is a call to action for objectivity and an instruction manual for breaking away from unhelpful mental patterns that can lead to poor choices.

Notable Quote: “Discovering you were wrong is an update, not a failure, and your worldview is a living document meant to be revised.”

Read The Scout Mindset .

12. Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models by Gabriel Weinberg and Lauren McCann

Super Thinking is a comprehensive resource that explains various mental models for problem solving. The book identifies logical fallacies and shows readers how to avoid these pitfalls. The pages also lay out appropriate strategies, tools, techniques to use in different situations, such as matrices, pointed questions, and philosophies. The point of the guide is to teach readers how to evaluate information and make quick yet accurate judgements. The guide helps readers decide the best approach to use for each circumstance. Though packed with information, the pages also contain images and humor that prevent the material from getting too dry. Super Thinking is the ultimate cheat sheet for thinking rationally and acting with intention.

Notable Quote: “Unfortunately, people often make the mistake of doing way too much work before testing assumptions in the real world.”

Read Super Thinking .

Final Thoughts

Problem solving is one of the most essential skills for modern industry. With the breakneck pace at which the current business world changes, there is no shortage of new developments that professionals must contend with on a daily basis. Operating the same way for years at a time is impossible, and it is almost guaranteed that workers at every level will have issues to unravel at some point in their careers.

Books about problem solving help professionals predict, prevent, and overcome issues and find more viable and sustainable solutions. These guides not only provide skills, but also methods for survival in a highly competitive business landscape. These texts show workers that they are more capable than may first appear and that sometimes, seemingly insurmountable obstacles are beatable with a combination of creativity, teamwork, and proper process.

For more ways to beat the odds, check out this list of books on innovation and this list of books on business strategy .

We also have a list of the best communication books .

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FAQ: Problem solving books

Here are answers to common questions about problem solving books.

What are problem solving books?

Problem solving books are guides that teach critical thinking skills and strategies for resolving issues. The purpose of these works is to help professionals be more creative and strategic in problem solving approaches.

What are some good problem solving books for work?

Some good problem solving books for work include Sprint by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, et al, Upstream by Dan Heath, and Think Like a Rocket Scientist by Ozan Varol.

Author: Angela Robinson

Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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The 11 Best Problem Solving Books

Adventurer, Tech Geek and Lover of Productivity Hacks. 

Learn how you can improve your problem solving skills with this curated list of the 11 Best Problem Solving Books on the market.

Looking for new insights and best practices when it comes to coming up with proven, quality solutions to the problems we face both at home and in the workplace?

Fortunately, there are a variety of problem solving books out there that are filled from front to back with new and exciting ways to conquer the issues that we deal with on a daily basis.

Whether we like to admit it or not, problem solving skills are high in demand these days whether it’s in the workplace or in the comforts of your own home.

One thing that is for sure is that life is definitely easier when you have the skills to solve problems with ease.

The best part is that problem solving is that it’s a skill that anyone can learn.

Below, you’ll find a list of the best problem solving books that should be helpful for those interested in really diving into the art of problem solving.

Table of Contents

Best problem solving books, sprint, how to solve big problems and test new ideas in just five days, the innovator’s dilemma, switch, how to change things when change is hard, problem solving 101, seeking wisdom: from darwin to munger.

• The Art of Thinking Clearly 

Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes

How to solve it: a new aspect of mathematical method, what do you do with a problem.

• The Art and Craft of Problem Solving 

The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

Author Dr. Jason Selk and Tom Bartow

Sprint offers a transformative formula for testing ideas that work whether it is for yourself or for a large corporation. The ideas that Sprint provides you are already tested and successful ones therefore you have nothing to lose giving them a try. Whenever you are feeling stuck and don’t know how to solve an issue, check out these ideas and test them out to see which one works best in your favor.

Author Clayton M. Christensen

Named one of 100 Leadership & Success Books to Read in a Lifetime by Amazon Editors, The Innovator’s Dilemma offers a different approach to problem-solving. This book helps you look at your problem from an outsider point of view. Whenever you don’t know where to go next and how to solve an issue, the best thing is stepping out of the box and seeing whatever is that you are missing to identify in order to solve it. 

Authors Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Psychologists have discovered that our minds are ruled by two different systems: the rational mind and the emotional mind that compete for control. The concept of this book is using our internal “switch” and learning when to use each type of mind. Mainly, allowing ourselves to have full control on when we decide to use the emotional side and the rational side. These factors will allow you to make decisions in a more concise manner and therefore have a smarter mentality when it comes to problem-solving. 

Author Ken Watanabe

Originally written to help Japanese schoolchildren learn how to be better problem solvers, this book ended in every businessman’s desk as the information was just too valuable. This book is filled with simple-to-follow case studies to illustrate different solutions to problem-solving. 

Author Peter Bevelin

This book covers everything from the exact moment we come up with an idea, to the point where we are stuck and don’t know how to move on past the issue. Through a psychological point of view, the author helps us understand the way our minds evolve. He essentially leads out a misjudgment point of view to one of a better and wiser thinker. 

The Art of Thinking Clearly

Author Rolf Dobelli

The Art of Thinking Clearly isn’t just another one of the best problem-solving books, but it is a guide to living a more convenient life, where every step that we take has its own action and consequence. Understanding that problem-solving comes from having an organized mind is the first place to get started when we are capable of thinking clearly, the solutions come to us in a clear manner as well. 

Author  Maria Konnikova

Who wouldn’t want to have the mind and the skills of problem-solving that Sherlock Holmes has? Well with this book you are able to acquire some of those astounding skills to use into your daily life. Holmes is one of the world’s most proficient problem solvers and Konnikova highlights the key characteristics that make him so effective in order for the reader to apply them. 

Author George Pólya

George Pólaya uses this mathematical method to help people to think straight. Through his brilliant method he has helped a lot of people tackle their problems only by changing the way that they think. Our mind is more powerful than we know, and therefore knowing how to work our way around it might help people deal with daily life struggles. 

Author by Kobi Yamada

What Do You Do with a Problem? Especially one that you can’t get rid of and can’t find a way to fix? Kobi Yamada tackles this exact scenario and offers the reader multiple ideas to deal with that one problem that seems to not go away. The key in the book is to never avoid a problem, the more we avoid dealing with one issue, the bigger it will become. 

The Art and Craft of Problem Solving

Author  Paul Zeitz

This text offers unique skills and solutions to approach a problem. Not only it helps to identify how to fix the problem but also to understand the problem itself. Understanding how the problem developed and when it started to become a problem for us, is important in order to avoid future conflicts. Tackling the problem is one thing, learning how to stop problems for developing is another great quality. 

Author Dan Roam

Herb Kelleher was brainstorming about the traditional method we deal with problem solving and it was in this exact moment where he grabbed a bar napkin and a pen and decided to scribble what problem solving would look like. He believed that people could understand something better by looking at it, and for that reason he decided to incorporate this lesson into his book. 

Used properly, a simple drawing was more demonstrative than a simple PowerPoint, but it can help crystallize ideas, think outside the box.

Did you find this list of problem solving books to be helpful? If I missed one that you recommend, please leave a comment below.

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Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything Paperback – March 6, 2019

Purchase options and add-ons.

Complex problem solving is the core skill for 21 st Century Teams

Complex problem solving is at the very top of the list of essential skills for career progression in the modern world. But how problem solving is taught in our schools, universities, businesses and organizations comes up short. In Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything you’ll learn the seven-step systematic approach to creative problem solving developed in top consulting firms that will work in any field or industry, turning you into a highly sought-after bulletproof problem solver who can tackle challenges that others balk at.

The problem-solving technique outlined in this book is based on a highly visual, logic-tree method that can be applied to everything from everyday decisions to strategic issues in business to global social challenges. The authors, with decades of experience at McKinsey and Company, provide 30 detailed, real-world examples, so you can see exactly how the technique works in action. With this bulletproof approach to defining, unpacking, understanding, and ultimately solving problems, you’ll have a personal superpower for developing compelling solutions in your workplace.

• Discover the time-tested 7-step technique to problem solving that top consulting professionals employ
• Learn how a simple visual system can help you break down and understand the component parts of even the most complex problems
• Build team brainstorming techniques that fight cognitive bias, streamline workplanning, and speed solutions
• Know when and how to employ modern analytic tools and techniques from machine learning to game theory
• Learn how to structure and communicate your findings to convince audiences and compel action

The secrets revealed in Bulletproof Problem Solving will transform the way you approach problems and take you to the next level of business and personal success.

• Print length 320 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Wiley
• Publication date March 6, 2019
• Dimensions 7.3 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
• ISBN-10 1119553024
• ISBN-13 978-1119553021
• See all details

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Editorial Reviews

From the inside flap.

Problem solving is the core skill for the twenty-first century. Now, finally, we have a guide to doing it right that any of us can follow. --Dominic Barton, Global Managing Partner Emeritus, McKinsey & Company

PRAISE FOR BULLETPROOF PROBLEM SOLVING

We always hired for creative problem solving talent above all else; these guys have cracked the code on a replicable approach for problems large and small. Learn it, practice it! -- Eric Schmidt, Former Chairman and CEO, Google; Visiting Innovation Fellow, MIT

Together Charles and Rob have taken problem solving out of the business school classroom and into real life, where it belongs. Utilizing 30 cases, these masters of the art have something to teach all of us. -- James Gorman, Chairman and CEO, Morgan Stanley

As a former policymaker who argues for moving beyond policy to the broader enterprise of public problem solving, I welcome this volume! The techniques and insights apply, with various modifications, to problems everywhere: personal, professional, public and private, local, national and global. -- Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO, New America, Former Director of Policy Planning, U.S. Department of State

Disruption in today's business environment puts problem solving at the top of every leader's challenges. But how? This engaging book puts together a McKinsey team's scientific seven-step approach. From taking a problem apart to rearranging its pieces, to framing it so its solution can be seen, the book presents a must-read analysis for executives and social sector leaders. It excites both the reader's mind and the possibilities for project teams. --Glenn Hubbard, Dean and Russell L. Carson Professor of Finance and Economics, Columbia Business School

7 straightforward steps to solving any problem with creativity and rigor

Complex problem solving is the core skill for twenty-first century teams. It's the only way to keep up with rapid change. Winning organizations now rely on nimble, iterative problem solving, rather than traditional planning processes. In this book you'll learn the seven-step systematic approach to creative problem solving that will work in any field or industry. It employs a highly visual, logic-tree method that can be applied to any problem, from strategic business decisions to global social challenges. Charles and Rob, with decades of experience at McKinsey & Company and other institutions, provide a toolkit with 30 detailed real-world examples, so you can see exactly how the technique works in action.

From the Back Cover

"Problem solving is the core skill for the twenty-first century. Now, finally, we have a guide to doing it right that any of us can follow." ―Dominic Barton, Global Managing Partner Emeritus, McKinsey & Company

"We always hired for creative problem solving talent above all else; these guys have cracked the code on a replicable approach for problems large and small. Learn it, practice it!" ― Eric Schmidt, Former Chairman and CEO, Google; Visiting Innovation Fellow, MIT

"Together Charles and Rob have taken problem solving out of the business school classroom and into real life, where it belongs. Utilizing 30 cases, these masters of the art have something to teach all of us." ― James Gorman, Chairman and CEO, Morgan Stanley

"As a former policymaker who argues for moving beyond policy to the broader enterprise of public problem solving, I welcome this volume! The techniques and insights apply, with various modifications, to problems everywhere: personal, professional, public and private, local, national and global." ― Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO, New America, Former Director of Policy Planning, U.S. Department of State

"Disruption in today's business environment puts problem solving at the top of every leader's challenges. But how? This engaging book puts together a McKinsey team's scientific seven-step approach. From taking a problem apart to rearranging its pieces, to framing it so its solution can be seen, the book presents a must-read analysis for executives and social sector leaders. It excites both the reader's mind and the possibilities for project teams. ―Glenn Hubbard, Dean and Russell L. Carson Professor of Finance and Economics, Columbia Business School

About the Author

Charles Conn  is CEO of the Rhodes Scholarships in Oxford. Previously, he was a Partner at McKinsey & Company, led a technology start-up to its IPO, and was an early team lead at the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation in San Francisco.

Robert McLean  is Director Emeritus at McKinsey and Company. He led the Australian and New Zealand McKinsey practice for eight years and served on the firm's global Director's Committee.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wiley; 1st edition (March 6, 2019)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1119553024
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1119553021
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.42 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.3 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
• #29 in Business Decision Making
• #48 in Decision-Making & Problem Solving
• #58 in Cognitive Psychology (Books)

About the authors

Charles conn.

Charles Conn is a seasoned cross-sector leader, entrepreneur and best-selling author. Charles is an experienced investor, and is co-founder of Monograph Capital, a life sciences venture firm. Before that, he was CEO of Oxford Sciences Innovation, a £600m venture firm formed in partnership with Oxford to develop the University’s advanced science ideas. Charles has been a technology entrepreneur, and as founding CEO of Ticketmaster-Citysearch led the company through its IPO (NASDAQ TMCS) and acquisitions of Match.com, Evite, and other companies. He is co-author of Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything, published with John Wiley & Sons in 2019, a best seller which also earned a Top 10 reader ranking on McKinsey.com for 2019. It has been taught at Harvard and Oxford, and to the Schmidt Science Fellows, World Economic Forum Global Shapers, Kauffman Fellows, and Rhodes Scholars. He is also a nonprofit education and conservation leader, including a five year term as CEO of the Rhodes Trust, the organization that delivers the Rhodes Scholarships in Oxford. Prior to his Oxford roles, Charles was senior advisor to the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, where he led conservation projects including the wild salmon ecosystems initiative and the Palmyra atoll research station. He sits or has sat on many company and nonprofit boards, including Patagonia, the Mandela Rhodes Foundation in South Africa, and Arcadia Foundation in London. He began his career at McKinsey & Company, where he was a Partner and leader in the strategy and energy practices. He is a graduate of Harvard Business School, Boston University, and Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.

Robert McLean

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

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Customers find the content quality well-structured and analytical. They say the book is full of case studies, frameworks, and ways of phrasing problems. Readers describe the book as an exceptional read and manual for their businesses. They appreciate the simple and clear steps in problem solving and decision making. Additionally, they mention the book provides a clear and robust 7-stage process to solve.

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Customers find the book well-structured, with case studies and frameworks. They say it's informative, practical, and well-researched. Readers mention the book encapsulates a vital education, including a lucid understanding of challenges.

"...presented book with compelling graphics, which convey the structured and sequential approach , which is the hall-mark of this book...." Read more

"... Extremely important skills , that not everyone has mastered." Read more

"Well structured problem solving and analytical project management approach . Very easy to apply." Read more

"...This book offers a robust problem solving process though you still want to read a book on public relations...." Read more

Customers find the book exceptional, great, and a manual for their businesses.

"...A great read and manual for our business . Well done Rob and Charles!" Read more

"I love the way the metrology is played here on problem solving. Good read " Read more

" Outstanding book !..." Read more

" Great Book !..." Read more

Customers find the book provides simple and clear steps in problem solving and decision making. They also appreciate the case study, tools, and techniques. Readers also mention the graphs and decision trees are easy to follow.

"... Very easy to apply ." Read more

"...is chock-full of case study after case study, as well as a bevy of tools and techniques for you to try...." Read more

"...Using easy to follow graphs and decision trees the very experienced authors take us through typical life and lifestyle choice examples...." Read more

" Simple , step by step approach. Easily understood examples. But, likely requires lots of practice to get good at it. Think 1000 hours." Read more

Customers find the book clear and readable. They also say it lays out a robust 7-stage process to solve problems.

"...First, it lays out a very clear and robust 7-stage process to solve almost any kind of problem...." Read more

"Valid points. For a "work" book its quite readable ." Read more

"Superb Book. Clear . Smart. Important Right Now...." Read more

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Best Books about Problem Solving: Our Curated List

Find the reading list for problem solving books

Whether you’re tackling complex challenges in your work or career, seeking innovative solutions for personal dilemmas, or simply striving to enhance your cognitive abilities, problem solving is the compass that guides you through life. In this post, we’ll introduce you to a curated list of the best books about problem solving. These books are designed to equip you with the knowledge, strategies, and insights needed to be decisive and find creative solutions to simple and complex problems. Get ready to unleash your inner problem solver, as we explore the pages of these thought-provoking books about problem solving and learn from the experiences of remarkable thinkers.

1. Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days

by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, and Braden Kowitz

Sprint is a practical guide that introduces readers to a unique problem solving framework known as the design sprint . The authors, who are experienced design partners at Google Ventures, demonstrate how to tackle complex challenges and validate ideas through a five-day process. This book offers a step-by-step approach to conducting time-boxed, intensive problem-solving sessions, making it an essential resource for entrepreneurs, product managers, and innovators looking to rapidly iterate and test new concepts.

Amazon Description:

Entrepreneurs and leaders face big questions every day: What’s the most important place to focus your effort, and how do you start? What will your idea look like in real life? How many meetings and discussions does it take before you can be sure you have the right solution? Now there’s a surefire way to answer these important questions: the Design Sprint, created at Google by Jake Knapp. This method is like fast-forwarding into the future, so you can see how customers react before you invest all the time and expense of creating your new product, service, or campaign.

In a Design Sprint, you take a small team, clear your schedules for a week, and rapidly progress from problem, to prototype, to tested solution using the step-by-step five-day process in this book. A practical guide to answering critical business questions, Sprint  is a book for teams of any size, from small startups to Fortune 100s, from teachers to nonprofits. It can replace the old office defaults with a smarter, more respectful, and more effective way of solving problems that brings out the best contributions of everyone on the team—and helps you spend your time on work that really matters.

2. Problem Solving 101: A Simple Book for Smart People

by Ken Watanabe

This problem solving book is a concise and accessible primer on the art of problem solving. In this book, Watanabe distills complex concepts into straightforward techniques that can be easily applied to various situations. Targeted at a broad audience, the book emphasizes practical thinking, logical analysis, and clear decision-making. Through real-life examples and relatable explanations, readers are encouraged to develop their problem solving skills, making it an ideal read for students, professionals, and anyone seeking to enhance their ability to tackle challenges effectively.

Ken Watanabe originally wrote  Problem Solving 101  for Japanese schoolchildren. His goal was to help shift the focus in Japanese education from memorization to critical thinking, by adapting some of the techniques he had learned as an elite McKinsey consultant.

He was amazed to discover that adults were hungry for his fun and easy guide to problem solving and decision making. The book became a surprise Japanese bestseller, with more than 370,000 in print after six months. Now American businesspeople can also use it to master some powerful skills.

Watanabe uses sample scenarios to illustrate his techniques, which include logic trees and matrixes. A rock band figures out how to drive up concert attendance. An aspiring animator budgets for a new computer purchase. Students decide which high school they will attend.

Illustrated with diagrams and quirky drawings, the book is simple enough for a middle schooler to understand but sophisticated enough for business leaders to apply to their most challenging problems.

3. Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything

By Charles Conn and Robert McLean

Drawing on their experience as seasoned management consultants, the authors present a robust problem-solving framework that involves understanding the problem deeply, generating creative solutions, and implementing effective strategies. The book’s practical insights and case studies make it invaluable for individuals looking to enhance their critical thinking and decision-making capabilities to address complex issues with confidence.

Complex problem solving is at the very top of the list of essential skills for career progression in the modern world. But how problem solving is taught in our schools, universities, businesses and organizations comes up short. In  Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything  you’ll learn the seven-step systematic approach to creative problem solving developed in top consulting firms that will work in any field or industry, turning you into a highly sought-after bulletproof problem solver who can tackle challenges that others balk at.

The problem-solving technique outlined in this book is based on a highly visual, logic-tree method that can be applied to everything from everyday decisions to strategic issues in business to global social challenges. The authors, with decades of experience at McKinsey and Company, provide 30 detailed, real-world examples, so you can see exactly how the technique works in action. With this bulletproof approach to defining, unpacking, understanding, and ultimately solving problems, you’ll have a personal superpower for developing compelling solutions in your workplace.

• Discover the time-tested 7-step technique to problem solving that top consulting professionals employ
• Learn how a simple visual system can help you break down and understand the component parts of even the most complex problems
• Build team brainstorming techniques that fight cognitive bias, streamline workplanning, and speed solutions
• Know when and how to employ modern analytic tools and techniques from machine learning to game theory
• Learn how to structure and communicate your findings to convince audiences and compel action

The secrets revealed in  Bulletproof Problem Solving  will transform the way you approach problems and take you to the next level of business and personal success.

4. Cracked it!: How to solve big problems and sell solutions like top strategy consultants

By Bernard Garrette, Corey Phelps, and Olivier Sibony

This is a compelling read for those interested in the world of strategy consulting and problem solving. The authors share insider tips and techniques that top consulting firms use to solve complex problems for their clients. Through a mix of real-life case studies and practical advice, readers gain an understanding of how to approach, structure, and present solutions that can be convincingly sold to stakeholders. This book is an excellent resource for aspiring consultants, business leaders, and entrepreneurs seeking to master the art of solving high-impact problems.

Solving complex problems and selling their solutions is critical for personal and organizational success. For most of us, however, it doesn’t come naturally and we haven’t been taught how to do it well. Research shows a host of pitfalls trips us up when we try: We’re quick to believe we understand a situation and jump to a flawed solution. We seek to confirm our hypotheses and ignore conflicting evidence. We view challenges incompletely through the frameworks we know instead of with a fresh pair of eyes. And when we communicate our recommendations, we forget our reasoning isn’t obvious to our audience.

In  Cracked It! , seasoned strategy professors and consultants Bernard Garrette, Corey Phelps and Olivier Sibony present a rigorous and practical four-step approach to overcome these pitfalls. Building on tried-and-tested (but rarely revealed) methods of top strategy consultants, research in cognitive psychology, and the latest advances in design thinking, they provide a step-by-step process and toolkit that will help readers tackle any challenging business problem. Using compelling stories and detailed case examples, the authors guide readers through each step in the process: from how to state, structure and then solve problems to how to sell the solutions. Written in an engaging style by a trio of experts with decades of experience researching, teaching and consulting on complex business problems, this book will be an indispensable manual for anyone interested in creating value by helping their organizations crack the problems that matter most.

5. Solve It!: The Mindset and Tools of Smart Problem Solvers

By Dietmar Sternad

Solve It! offers a holistic exploration of problem solving, combining both the mindset and tools needed to address challenges effectively. Sternad outlines the importance of cultivating a growth-oriented mindset and provides readers with a collection of problem-solving techniques that can be applied to various situations. The book emphasizes creativity, adaptability, and continuous improvement as essential elements of successful problem solving.

What do Albert Einstein, Elon Musk, Sherlock Holmes and Mahatma Gandhiʼs six-year-old granddaughter have in common? They are all masters of  the art of smart problem solving —a highly sought-after skill that you can learn too!

• Gain insights into the surprising findings of the  science of problem solving
• Develop a  problem-solving mindset
• Use a  powerful 5-step approach to solve even the toughest problems
• Be inspired by  stories of highly successful problem solvers
• Learn from expert problem solvers  like scientists, doctors, designers, coaches and highly paid management consultants
• Apply  practical problem-solving and decision-making tools right away

Use this book to build your problem-solving muscle and enhance your ability to change things for the better!

6. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: [5 in 1] The Definitive Guide to Decision-Making Secrets, Logic, Systematic Problem-Solving and Better Thinking with Insider Techniques to Spot Logical Failures

By Jack Wilbur

This collection covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of critical thinking to advanced problem solving techniques. Readers will explore various strategies for effective decision-making, logic, reasoning, and creative problem solving. The book’s diverse content caters to individuals at different levels of proficiency. It’s a valuable resource for anyone seeking to develop and sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making are essential for success in any field. They enable us to identify and analyze problems, generate and evaluate options and make effective decisions.

These skills are crucial in today’s fast-paced and constantly changing world, where the ability to adapt and make good decisions can mean the difference between success and failure.

Check out what’s inside:

• Identify and analyze problems, including detailed explanations and real-world examples to help readers understand and apply the problem-solving process.
• Generate and evaluate options using critical thinking and decision-making frameworks.
• Make effective decisions and how to apply them in different situations.
• Use problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making to increase creativity and innovation.
• Use critical thinking to evaluate information and arguments, including information on how to identify and avoid cognitive biases.
• Find solutions to different problems, including information on other problem-solving techniques.
• Make effective decisions under pressure, including information on how to manage emotions and stress.
• And so much more …

7. The Art Of Problem Solving 101: Improve Your Critical Thinking And Decision Making Skills And Learn How To Solve Problems Creatively

By Michael Sloan

With a focus on clear thinking and logical problem solving techniques, this book is tailored for beginners looking to build a solid foundation in critical thinking. Sloan presents various real-world scenarios and provides step-by-step methods to identify, analyze, and resolve problems. Whether it’s making better decisions or improving communication, readers will find this book a helpful resource in honing their problem-solving skills for everyday life.

Are you often overwhelmed by your problems in life? Do you sometimes think that if only you had an analytical mind, then you could fix all of the things that plague you? Are you constantly obsessing over the obstacles and challenges in your life but you feel like there’s nothing you can do? Believe it or not, but you are a natural problem solver! With the Art of Problem Solving 101, we’re here to teach you how to unlock your natural problem solving abilities and not only teach you how to solve problems, but also teach you how to become a problem solver. A problem solver lives a different life from other people. They learn to embrace adversity, develop important processes and work through any challenge in their life. With the help of our book, you can become one too, even if you don’t feel like you have an analytical mind. With our threefold process of approach, discovery and action, you will learn everything that you need to become a problem solver as well as someone who is capable of handling extreme adversity. If you’ve ever been curious on the philosophy of those who are strong enough to endure hardship and chaos without losing their minds, then the Art of Problem Solving 101 is for you. We’ll teach you everything you need to know about developing the kind of character that tells the world “I’m here to solve problems and nothing can stop me.”

8. Fixed.: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem Solving

By Amy E. Herman

Amy E. Herman takes a unique approach to problem solving by drawing inspiration from the world of art. The author uses art-related analogies to illustrate problem solving principles and techniques. The book encourages readers to think beyond conventional approaches and find innovative solutions to challenges. By connecting the worlds of art and problem solving, this book offers a fresh perspective on developing a nuanced problem solving mindset.

With Amy Herman’s Fixed., we now have access to what the FBI, NATO, the State Department, Interpol, Scotland Yard, and many more organizations and their leaders have been using to solve their most intractable problems.

Demonstrating a powerful paradigm shift for finding solutions, Herman teaches us to see things differently, using art to challenge our default thinking and open up possibilities otherwise overlooked. Her unexpected, insightful, and often delightful methodology is sought after by leaders and professionals for whom failure is catastrophic. Luckily for us, these tactics work— no matter the problem’s scale or complexity. And we don’t need an art degree or previous knowledge about art to benefit from her approach, only a willingness to open our eyes and our minds. Yes, things go wrong all the time. What matters most is what we do to fix them.

Best Books about Problem Solving Conclusion

Through the guidance of renowned authors and thought leaders, we’ve learned that problem solving is not merely an innate talent but a skill that can be cultivated through practice, perseverance, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. These books about problem solving have provided us with a diverse range of methodologies, frameworks, and case studies, offering a holistic approach to tackling challenges across various domains. Happy problem solving!

Visit our  innovation and design thinking resource blog  for additional tips and techniques today.  Contact us if you need a problem solving or ideation workshop !

The 5 Best Books on Problem Solving (in 2024)

If you are looking for the best books on problem-solving, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we will cover the top 5 books on problem-solving that you can use to help you solve problems faster, easier, and better. I have personally read each one and recommend them.

The 5 Best Books on Problem-Solving

1. stop guessing: the 9 behaviors of great problem solvers by nat greene.

Stop Guessing teaches 9 main actions you need to take when solving problems. It doesn’t teach a problem-solving “method”, but steps you need to take to be able to solve the right problem and solve it well.

The 9 behaviors/actions are:

• Stop guessing
• Smell the problem
• Embrace your ignorance
• Know what problem you’re solving
• Dig into the fundamentals
• Don’t rely on experts
• Believe in a simple solution
• Make fact-based decisions
• Stay on target

I personally enjoyed this book and found it very informative. If you aren’t necessarily looking for a method but the steps you need to take to solve problems more effectively, this book is for you.

You can get it on Amazon here .

(Note: The links for Amazon are affiliate links. Thanks!)

Read More: The 5 Best Books on Decision Making 

2. Think Smarter: Critical Thinking to Improve Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills by Michael Kallet

As the title says, Think Smarter is about using critical thinking to improve your problem-solving and decision-making .

What sometimes hurts us in our problem-solving is that we don’t really take the time to think critically. Kallet gives 3 main steps for solving problems and making a decision:

• Conclusions

If you want to learn more about critical thinking when it comes to problem-solving and steps to take to really clarify your problem and come to better conclusions, and ultimately decisions, this is a good book for you.

3. Problem Solving 101: A Simple Book for Smart People by Ken Watanabe

Problem Solving 101 is a neat little book on problem-solving. It was originally meant for a younger audience, but it has taken widespread appeal to all ages for people who want to solve problems better.

In the book, through some simple examples, Watanabe teaches how to find the root cause, how to set and test hypotheses, how to make better choices, how to use a logic tree, and more.

If you want a simple, easy book on problem-solving for yourself and/or your kids, this one is for you.

4. The Thinker’s Toolkit: 14 Powerful Techniques for Problem-Solving by Morgan D. Jones

In The Thinkers Toolkit , the author gives detailed information on methods you can use to solve problems better and make better decisions.

Too often we use “trial and error” to try to solve problems, and that is incredibly ineffective. Jones teaches about the errors we often have when solving problems, how our brain sometimes works against us, and 14 techniques we can use to solve our problems better.

If you want a detailed guide on how we often do it wrong and the different methods you can use to solve problems better, this book is for you.

You can get it on Amazon here.

5. Systematic Problem-Solving and Decision-Making by Sandy Pokras

Systematic Problem-Solving and Decision-Making is an old book (published in 1989); however, it is still chock full of great information.

In the book, Pokras goes over, step by step, the steps you can take in your organization to solve problems.

She discusses not only the steps to do it but how to do it together as a group so that everyone is on board with what the problem is and how to solve it.

There are 6 main steps she recommends that she dives into:

• Step 1: Problem recognition
• Step 2: Problem Labeling
• Step 3: Problem-Cause Analysis
• Step 4: Optional Solutions
• Step 5: Decision Making
• Step 6: Action Planning

If you are looking for a step-by-step guide on how to solve problems within an organization (and even by yourself), this book is a great resource.

Why Not?: How to Use Everyday Ingenuity to Solve Problems Big And Small by Barry Nalebuff and Ian Ayres

Why Not? is, as the title suggests, how to use everyday ingenuity to solve problems.

The authors dive into different methods and tools you can use to help solve problems, including:

• Asking what Croesus would do
• Feeling others pain
• Looking where else it would work
• And flipping it

You can get the book here on Amazon .

Which decision-making book will you choose?

We’ve covered 5…err..6 books on problem-solving. I personally have read each one and recommend them.

I’d also recommend checking out books on decision-making , as the topics are intertwined and related.

Now to you: What do you think? Have you read any of these? Are there any we are missing?

About The Author

Thomas R. Harris

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