# XY Problem Created: 2023_02_18 12:42 Tags: [[Model]] [[Psychology]] The "XY problem" is a term used to describe a common problem-solving pitfall. It occurs when someone has a problem X that they need to solve, but instead of asking for help with X, they ask for help with what they believe to be the solution Y. The problem with this approach is that Y may not be the best or most efficient solution, or it may not solve the underlying issue of X. This can lead to a lot of wasted time and effort for both the person asking for help and the person providing assistance. For example, let's say someone is having trouble with a computer program crashing every time they try to open a specific file. The actual problem is with the program or file, but instead of explaining that, they might ask for help with a specific error message they're seeing or ask for a workaround to open the file without the program crashing. These requests may not address the underlying issue, and may even steer the helper in the wrong direction. To avoid falling into the XY problem trap, it's important to be clear and specific about the problem you're trying to solve, rather than jumping straight to a possible solution. This can involve explaining the context of the problem, describing what you've already tried, and providing any relevant error messages or other details. This approach can help ensure that the helper understands the actual problem and can provide the most effective solution. ## References -