[rubidium]

Most problems aren’t special. They occur because some good general guidance wasn’t formed or applied.

Having a checklist does help masters. It helps make sure they don’t miss the obvious issue in front of their face.

Checklist manifesto is good reading on this.

[hinkley]

Hmmm. I think the checklist exists, for sure, but tends to be more Plan B. If your initial strategy is exhausted with no progress, fall back on the checklist.

As a programmer I have an opportunity not everyone else has. I can codify parts of my checklist in a way where I don't really have to think about them at all save for a few times a year with the big outlier problems, teaching someone to do basic troubleshooting themselves, or starting a new project.