Problem-solving requires understanding dimensionality. Problems in our mind aren’t bound to physical space, meaning that they rarely have but one dimension. A single dimension would be the least required parameters to define a (part of a) problem.
Identify both the characteristics and the number of all the different dimensions present in a particular problem. Once identified, the next step is to reduce the dimensionality as much as possible.
Occam’s razor states: “entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily.” In other words, the simplest answer is the best answer. Simple answers are easier to falsify, which increases their likelihood of being correct.
With multiple, sometimes interlaced dimensions, finding a starting point is challenging. Untangle all dimensions one by one. This way, clarity is created. We can reintroduce complexity where necessary along the way.