How can I increase my ability to understand complex problems?

"SO WHAT?" - is a very simple but powerful framework for extracting the maximum amount of information from a simple fact.

Starting with a fact, ask the question: “So what?'” - i.e. what are the implications of that fact? Keep on asking that question until you have drawn all possible inferences.

An example:

Fact: It rained heavily last night
• So What? - The ground will be wet

• So What? -It will turn into mud quickly

• So What? - If many troops and vehicles pass over the same ground, movement will be
progressively slower and more difficult as the ground gets muddier and more
difficult.

• So What? - Where possible, stick to paved roads. Otherwise expect movement to be much
slower than normal.