From Problems to Progress: A 5-Step Guide to Approaching Problems as a Software Developer

Selim YILDIZ
3 min readFeb 1, 2023
Photo by Patrick Perkins on Unsplash

As a software developer, the ability to approach problems in a structured and efficient manner is critical to delivering high-quality solutions that meet the needs of end-users. Whether it is fixing a bug, adding a new feature, or troubleshooting a technical issue, the way in which a problem is approached can make all the difference in the outcome. By taking a step-by-step approach, software developers can ensure that they are considering all angles, evaluating the best options, and making informed decisions that result in solutions that are both effective and efficient. In this article, we will explore the key steps in approaching problems as a software developer, from defining the problem to documenting the solution.

Our Scenario: Let’s say you are developing an e-commerce website and a customer requests a feature that allows them to sort products by multiple criteria on the website.

1. Define the problem:

Clearly understand the problem by breaking it down into smaller parts and defining the problem’s scope and requirements.

“A problem well stated is a problem half-solved.” — Charles F. Kettering

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