Master the Golden Three‑Step Method: From Daily Tasks to Complex Architecture

Human beings naturally group and classify things; senior Alibaba technologist Zhang Jianfei shares a universal "golden three‑step" method to turn that instinct into a powerful problem‑solving tool.

Golden Three‑Step Method

Define the problem → Decompose the problem → Classify & group

Step Details

1. Define the problem : clearly state what needs to be solved.

2. Decompose the problem : break the problem into a flat list of sub‑problems, expanding as needed.

3. Classify & group : aggregate similar sub‑problems into categories, forming a pyramid‑like hierarchy.

Everyday Life Example

When buying groceries, grouping items (fruits, vegetables, dairy) reduces memory load and creates a clear hierarchy.

Work Report Example

Identify client complaints, list eight issues, then group them into three categories to present a concise pyramid.

Code Development Example

Apply the three steps to a complex product‑listing feature, resulting in three phases: initialization, validation, and execution.

Application Architecture Example

Use the steps to define layers, modules, and components, producing a clean architectural diagram.

Product Architecture Example

Define the problem (smart POS requirements), decompose into functional modules, then group into perception, function, and data layers.

Scientific Perspective on Classification

Biological taxonomy illustrates hierarchical classification from kingdom to species, showing that classification is both a science and an art.

MECE Principle

The “mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive” rule guarantees that grouped items do not overlap and nothing is omitted.

MECE is a thinking tool that helps structure analysis without redundancy.

Thinking Models

Various ready‑made frameworks (4P, 5W2H, 7S, SWOT, SMART) effectively perform the third step by providing pre‑built classification structures.

By mastering the golden three‑step method, readers can improve problem‑solving efficiency across personal, professional, and technical domains.