Mental Models: tools supporting problem solvers for better decision making
Talk given at the Burning Minds Conference, 15th July 2022
We can improve our decision-making process not just by learning from our mistakes but also by using tools and frameworks to avoid blind spots and view problems from different perspectives. Mental models can help with that. Like any other models, these are representations of how something works.
I gave a talk on mental models at the Burning Minds Conference, illustrating how we can use these concepts to improve our decision-making process. The goal of my talk was to be helpful for anyone. I shared a few examples from the software engineering field, since the audience consisted mostly of engineers but a technical background is not necessary.
My presentation is heavily influenced by the work of Farnam Street including their books, podcasts, and articles, which I highly value and recommend.
References and Resources:
Arranged by the respective slide numbers:
slide 6. Indirectly related - the best way to peel an orange (a spoon worked best for me):
slide 9. A website that compares selected places:
slide 10. Map projections and Mercator Projection:
slide 11. AuthaGraph projection:
slide 20. Dunning-Kruger Effect:
slide 27. Farnam Street: