There are various ways to solve problems. Many mediators try to solve easy issues first, and then to attack the more difficult ones later.

However, the puzzle method works in the opposite direction. It suggests that the counselor solve the most difficult problem first.

Both methods are valid, but they are applicable in different circumstances.

The puzzle method suggests that you look at the full picture and determine the issues that prevent people from resolving their problem. After the counselor has solved one or more central issues, some of the minor issues may fall into place.

For example, a person who is laying tiles for a sitting area in a garden may encounter a tree that is obstructing the center of his work area. The area surrounding that tree should not have tiles.

Most people would place the first tiles at the beginning of the work area, and then hope that everything will work out with the tree when they get to it.

However, the tree is the main problem, not the tiles. The workers will have to worry about the tree the entire time that they are trying to lay those tiles.

A wiser method would be to start with the area immediately adjacent to the tree. Place the tiles around that tree, centering the tree inside that area, and then work backwards to the beginning and forward to the end.

Of course, this will raise some secondary problems. The beginning of the area to be tiled might not land just where you would like it. It may be off - but not by more than the size of a tile.

You can deal with that. The entire tiling job will be esthetically correct. Now, it won't make that much of a difference in the big picture of your garden.

The entire job looks much better, because you started with the main problem and worked away from it. After that main problem has been resolved, all of the other issues can fall into place more easily.

Summary

Before solving a problem, it is important to analyze whether to work from small issues to difficult ones, as in mediation, or from the major issues to small issues, as in the puzzle method. An effective analysis will make the difference between groping for answers and successful counseling sessions.