Regularly ask yourself high-level questions about what you are doing:

• Is this the right problem to solve? (‣)
• What will happen? What will happen after that? (Ask series of "Whys" about a solution)
• Why this is a problem? Is there an underlying model? How does this model work?

In engineering, this is one of the approaches to thinking about the problem that ‣.

To be able to optimise the machine, strive to ‣. ‣.

"Optimising the machine instead of a cog" is a reference to an actual effect in operations: ‣.

Part of ‣.

See also:

• Intelligent action (systems approach)
• ‣
• ‣
• ‣
• Solve users' problems, not technology problems
• ‣
• ‣
• Constantly think about what you are doing
• Keep an eye on the big picture of the project
• Listen to your nagging thoughts
• State the questions you aim to answer in your writing