What are you trying to solve?

Start from a concrete problem and let mental models with interactive tools help you reach clearer decisions, set priorities and see the structure and root causes in minutes.

Works for both life and work: career choices, project decisions, product judgment, learning and self-reflection.

If you prefer a stage-based overview of which models and tools to combine across a full decision process, check out theThinking Playbookspage for representative chains by scenario.

Make an important decision

When you face important life or work choices, focus on long-term impact and key assumptions to decide more clearly.

  • Should I accept this job offer?

    Recommended models:Second‑Order Thinking, First Principles
    Recommended tools:Second‑Order Thinking Tool, First Principles Tool
  • Should I quit my job?

    Recommended models:Second‑Order Thinking
    Recommended tools:Second‑Order Thinking Tool
  • Our team keeps arguing over an important decision—what can we do?

    Recommended models:Six Thinking Hats
    Recommended tools:Six Thinking Hats Collaboration Board
  • Should I start a business?

    Recommended models:First Principles
    Recommended tools:First Principles Tool
  • Should I change my direction?

    Recommended models:Second‑Order Thinking
    Recommended tools:Second‑Order Thinking Tool
  • What are the long-term consequences of this decision?

    Recommended models:Second‑Order Thinking
    Recommended tools:Second‑Order Thinking Tool
  • Am I making this decision on wrong assumptions?

    Recommended models:First Principles
    Recommended tools:First Principles Tool

Prioritize your tasks

When juggling many tasks, separate what is truly important from what is merely urgent in both work and life.

Analyze a complex problem

For complex or recurring problems, break them down by structure, assumptions and long-term effects.

Evaluate an idea or project

Evaluate whether an idea or project is worth your time and resources, for both personal side projects and team work.

Before investing heavily, you can start with theSWOT Analysis modelto map strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, then use theSCAMPER creativity toolto systematically expand alternative product or project ideas.

  • Is this new project worth doing?

    Recommended models:SWOT Analysis, SCAMPER Model
    Recommended tools:SWOT Analysis Tool, SCAMPER Creativity Tool
  • Is this business idea viable?

    Recommended models:SWOT Analysis, SCAMPER Model, First Principles
    Recommended tools:SWOT Analysis Tool, SCAMPER Creativity Tool, First Principles Tool
  • What is the biggest risk for our team right now?

    Recommended models:SWOT Analysis
    Recommended tools:SWOT Analysis Tool
  • Why are we building this feature?

    Recommended models:First Principles
    Recommended tools:First Principles Tool
  • What is the core problem of our business?

    Recommended models:SWOT Analysis, SCAMPER Model
    Recommended tools:5 Why Analysis Tool, SWOT Analysis Tool, SCAMPER Creativity Tool
  • How can we run a more structured evaluation meeting?

    Recommended models:Six Thinking Hats
    Recommended tools:Six Thinking Hats Collaboration Board

Clarify your thinking

When there is too much noise or emotion in your thinking, use critical thinking and first principles to clarify it.

Find the root cause

When the same issue keeps coming back, trace it to the real root cause instead of just treating symptoms.

  • Why is this project always delayed?

    Recommended models:Iceberg Model
    Recommended tools:Iceberg Analysis Board, 5 Why Analysis Tool
  • Why did this feature fail?

    Recommended models:Iceberg Model
    Recommended tools:Iceberg Analysis Board, 5 Why Analysis Tool
  • Where is my anxiety really coming from?

    Recommended tools:5 Why Analysis Tool
  • Why don’t users want to use this product?

    Recommended models:SWOT Analysis, SCAMPER Model, Iceberg Model
    Recommended tools:5 Why Analysis Tool, SWOT Analysis Tool, SCAMPER Creativity Tool, Iceberg Analysis Board
  • Am I avoiding what really matters?

    Recommended models:Eisenhower Matrix
    Recommended tools:Eisenhower Matrix Tool, 5 Why Analysis Tool

Not sure where to start?

Start with simple tools like the Eisenhower Matrix or 5 Why root cause analysis to quickly clarify your current situation.

Solve real problems with mental models | Zen of Thinking