First Principles Thinking A systematic approach to decomposing complex problems into irreducible truths and reasoning upward from there — avoiding the trap of reasoning by analogy, convention, or "best practice". When to Use - Evaluating whether an architecture, design, or strategy is truly optimal - Questioning "best practices" that may not fit the current context - Breaking through when conventional solutions feel inadequate - Making foundational decisions with long-term impact - Challenging inherited assumptions in legacy systems or legacy thinking - Any moment where "we've always done it…