CF Dictionary A reference for Critical Fallibilism

CF Dictionary · Theory of Constraints Terms

Win/Win Solution

Resolving a conflict by removing its underlying false assumption. ToC's preferred alternative to compromise.

A win/win solution resolves a conflict by removing the underlying false assumption that creates the conflict, not by trading off between bad options.

The difference from compromise

  • Compromise. Each side gives up something. Both end up worse than possible.
  • Win/win. Both sides get what they need because the false conflict is removed.

ToC's claim: most apparent conflicts are based on a false assumption. Removing the assumption dissolves the conflict.

ToC's process

  1. Identify each side's needs. What do they actually need?
  2. Identify the conflict. What makes those needs seem incompatible?
  3. Find the false assumption. What's the hidden belief making this look like a tradeoff?
  4. Challenge the assumption. Is it actually true?
  5. Find a way to remove it.
  6. Apply.

CF's adoption

CF extends win/win beyond business:

  • Personal conflicts. Look for the false assumption before compromising.
  • Intellectual disagreements. Often the false assumption is a dimension-crossing or a positive-argument mistake.
  • multi-factor-decisions. Win/win over weighted sums.

"Resolving problems instead of compromising." — criticalfallibilism.com