"Successful problem solving requires finding the right solution to the right problem. We fail more often because we solve the wrong problem than because we get the wrong solution to the right problem" Russell L Ackoff words here say it all.  Our clients, managers and ourselves can all press us into actioning solutions to undefined or ill-defined problems, and we do this at our peril.  One of the key skills of any expert advisor is to take care to clarify and validate the problem before setting sail on the voyage to solution. In this episode I share my thoughts on what constitutes a well defined problem, and the consulting conversation skills that can help to get us to a good first draft of one. Chris Cooke. Partner. Sionic.