#human-management #writing #problem-solving #autonomy

idea

The 15 minute rule is a problem-solving mechanism which helps finding a balance between figuring problems autonomously and finding help.

It states that when you get stuck on something to the point of giving up, spend 15 minutes more writing down everything you know and you've tried, and if you still don't have the answer by then, go ask someone with that document.

The point is that pausing and writing down everything about the problem helps clarifying the mind and might unblock you, plus forcing more time on the topic will reduce dependency on others ; but also you don't have skills or knowledge to have the answers to everything and might need help - writing down your current understanding of the problem is helping getting help in a more structured way.

links

• Can end up in something similar to [[document review]]

references

• Matt Ringel / YOU MUST TRY, AND THEN YOU MUST ASK finding the balance between looking for answers and seeking help.
• Also similar to rubber ducky debugging from the pragmatic programmer (explain an unsolvable problem to a rubber duck)