The 10x Engineer — A Tool kit of mental models
A comprehensive list of models and tools to 10x your engineering skills.
For some time now I have been working on a compilation of mental models and tools I have found it useful to be exposed to and keep in the tool box of tricks so to speak. Previously I have written a short post with some good links to compilations of mental models. Since then I have come across many other great summaries — these include:
- Farnam St — Mental Models
- Shane Parish — 9 Mental models that help you think clearly
- defmarco — Mental Models
- Gabriel Weinberg — Mental Models I find repeatedly useful
- James Clear — Learn how to think better and gain a mental edge
- Hubspot — Mental Models the Ultimate guide
- Evergreen — how to prioritise using these 9 mental models
- Michael Karnjanaprakorn — 16 mental models for founders and leaders
- Lee Watanabe-Crockett — The Most Useful Critical Thinking Mental Models to Know About
- Rob Kelly — Mental Models
- Brian McFadden — 14 Mental Models to Help You (And Me) Think Clearly, Rationally, and Effectively
- Sean Kim — 7 mental models you should know for smarter decision making
- Clearer Thinking.Org
- Wireless Philosophy — Introduction to Critical Thinking
- Wikipedia — list of cognitive biases
- Mental Models Weekly
Inspired by this list and in particular the infographic produced by Michael Simmons, I have put together my own list.
I have found the models on the list useful to develop shortcuts for thinking about how to approach various problems I especially use it when I am stuck in a rut, unsure about how to move forward — often there will be a spark of inspiration by approaching something a different way that is just what was needed.
I have categorised the models under 14 broad headings
- Cognitive biases
- Behaviour change /Persuasion
- Leadership
- Risk management
- Problem Solving
- Scientific Method
- Time Management / Execution
- Prioritisation
- Understanding yourself and others
- Finance
- Goal Setting
- Project Management
- Communication
- Models and data analysis
Would love to get your feedback on what I have missed in this list particularly focusing on developing engineering skills and leadership.
Over coming months, my plan is to work through these as a sort of editorial calendar for the blog, slowly filling out the details of each one.
You can download a PDF version of the infographic here.
