This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Shloka
While going through a course on Scrimba and browsing Reddit, I came across George Pólya’s timeless framework from How to Solve It. Although the book is primarily aimed at solving math problems, as someone whose mind is often full of scattered thoughts, this framework has been a game changer in my problem solving skills when leetcoding or working on projects.
Pólya’s method breaks the process into four steps. Here’s how I’ve applied each to my own workflow:
*1. Understand the Problem:
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What it means: Go beyond reading or listening to the problem statement. Try to understand what’s known, what’s unknown, and what you’re being asked to solve, think of any edge cases.
What I used to do: I used to read the problem and think to myself “I got it. I understand it”
What I do now: I use the rubber duck method, explaining the problem out loud in my own words. This helps clarify the problem and break it down into smaller, actionable parts.
*2. Devise a Plan:
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What it means: Think through your approach before jumping into coding
What I used to do: I’d immediately start writing code, and things would quickly get messy or confusing.
What I do now: I sketch out my thought process, by adding comments in the code or using pen and paper. Even just outlining a rough flow helps keep things structured.
*3. Execute the Plan:
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What it means: Turn your plan into code, step by step.
What I used to do: I’d try to code everything at once and troubleshoot when things broke.
What I do now: I implement the solution in small, testable chunks. I keep things modular and focus on clarity over cleverness.
*4. Look Back:
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What it means: Reflect on your solution—how well it works, and how it could be improved.
What I used to do: Once something worked, I’d call it done and move on.
What I do now: I ask myself: Can this be cleaner? More efficient? Could this approach be useful elsewhere? This habit has made me more open to feedback, less attached to my first solution, and more aware of the bigger picture.
Following this framework has been a game-changer. Instead of feeling overwhelmed or scattered, I now have a mental roadmap to fall back on something that brings structure and calm even when the problem feels chaotic.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Shloka
Shloka | Sciencx (2025-08-05T03:55:42+00:00) George Pólya’s – How to Solve It.. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/08/05/george-polyas-how-to-solve-it/
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