To solve complex problems effectively, start by questioning and simplifying the requirements, reducing their number whenever possible. An important step is to delete unnecessary parts of the process; aim to eliminate more than you think is required, knowing that you may need to reintegrate a small percentage. Many mistakenly overcorrect by adding components back in due to past experiences, leading to unnecessary complexity. It is essential to deliberately push boundaries in deletion to ensure a leaner process. Follow through the process by maximizing optimization and ensuring only the necessary elements exist before attempting to speed up the workflow. After optimization, automation should be considered; however, avoid automating processes that may ultimately be unnecessary or excessively complex. This structured five-step approach helps avoid common pitfalls in problem-solving and ensures clarity and efficiency in processes.