The classic text "How to Solve it" by George Polya gives many great suggestions in solving any pratical problems. It's a heuristic approach.   Four phases: 1. Understand the problem * What is the unknow? * What is the data? * What is the condition? * Is it possible to satisfy the condition? * Is the condition sufficent? Or ...

... -1873), Canadian newspaper publisher and politician Mary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882), First Lady of the United States Emily Carr (1871-1945), Canadian artist and writer George Polya (1887-1985), Hungarian-born mathematician Alvin York (1887-1964), American soldier and Medal of Honor recipient Talcott Parsons (1902-1979), American ...