The New Art of Problem Solving
Solving the Right Problem
Understanding should come before action.
In complexity, and with AI in the loop, that principle matters more than ever.
For readers who want to engage with the ideas hands-on
and learn through practice.
Worldwide available Summer 2026
For the reflective reader who wants to explore the ideas in depth before putting them into practice.
Worldwide available here.
Before you solve anything, make sure you understand the situation you are in.
We begin by resisting the urge to jump to conclusions.
In complex situations, the first answer rarely actually addresses the right problem.
Instead, we learn the situation: through observation, data, conversation, and shared experience,
supported by serious games that allow people to see patterns and test ideas together.
Only then do we widen the solution space, exploring multiple possible interventions before committing to action.
The Approach
The core ideas that shape both books and the perspective on problem solving they share.
Readers Resources
Videos, worksheets, prompts and additional materials to deepen your understanding and support your practice.
Professional Sessions
Bring these ideas into your organization through facilitated workshops, serious gaming and AI-supported sessions.
Courses & Tools
Structured learning paths, facilitator tools and advanced applications for deeper integration.
About the Authors
These books and the accompanying materials are the result of a long-standing dialogue between practice and technology.
Alexander de Haan has worked for more than twenty years as a trainer and educator in problem solving, collaboration and complex organizational environments. His work centers on helping professionals resist premature solutions and develop clarity before action. Alexander holds master degrees in Aerospace Engineering from Delft University of Technology and in Social Psychology from Leiden University, a combination that continues to inform his work at the intersection of systems and human behavior.
Pieter ter Doest has spent over two decades working in artificial intelligence. After years of research and development, he now witnesses AI becoming a practical force in everyday decision-making, and brings that technological depth into conversation with human judgment and responsibility. Pieter holds a master degree Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Applied Geophysics from Delft University of Technology.
They explore how thoughtful problem solving can remain grounded and responsible in a time where technology accelerates action faster than ever.
Together, they continue to develop tools, courses, sessions and practical applications that extend the ideas presented in these books, exploring how thoughtful problem solving and advancing AI can strengthen rather than undermine one another.