Obvious Problem: a problem whose solution is obvious to anyone. Problem: I keep getting harassing phone calls from the credit company. Solution: Pay your bills.
Recurring Problem: a problem that occurs periodically so the solution is known from past occurrences. Problem: The dog is loose again. Solution: Fix the loose fence board again.
Logical Problem: a problem whose solution may be found by logical deduction. Problem: The fuse blew. Solution: Unplug everything, replace the fuse, plug each thing in until the fuse blows again, unplug everything, and then plug in the last thing that was plugged in when fused blew. If fuse blows, this thing is the problem.
Intermittent Problem: a problem that comes and goes making it difficult to find a solution. For example, the rattle that goes away when the mechanic listens for it.
Special Case Problem: a problem that only occurs until special circumstances. For example: a knee that only hurts when it rains.
Illogical Problem: a problem that defies finding a logical solution. There are two types:
- Illogical Solution: the solution is found but there is no logical reason for it. For example, changing the switch solved the problem but the original switch seemed okay.
- Self Fixing Problem: after hours of troubleshooting, the problem disappears never to return. For example, after checking and rechecking the wiring, the light came back on.
Major Problem: a problem that is so complicated that it cannot be solved by ordinary means. For example, the doctor admits this problem is beyond his ability to solve, so specialists must be called in.
Insurmountable Problem: a problem so big that there is no way out of it. For example: you just ran over and killed a pedestrian.
Unsolvable Problem: a problem that has no solution. For example: you have an incurable fatal disease.
