---
title: XY Problem
tags:
  - authorship/other-for-now
  - status/not-started
  - topic/transparency
  - type/encyclopedia-entry
---
# XY Problem

> [!quote] [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XY_problem)
> The XY problem is a communication problem ...
> where the question is about an end user's attempted solution (X)
> rather than the root problem itself (Y).

The XY problem is an example of the [[einstellung-effect]].

> [!quote] [_How To Ask Questions The Smart Way_ --- Eric Steven Raymond](http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html)
> > [!quote] ["Questions Not To Ask"](http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html#classic)
> > **Q:** How can I use X to do Y?
> >
> > **A:** If what you want is to do Y,
> > you should ask that question without pre-supposing the use of a method
> > that may not be appropriate.
> > Questions of this form often indicate a person who is not merely ignorant about X,
> > but confused about what problem Y they are solving
> > and too fixated on the details of their particular situation.
>
> > [!quote] ["Describe the goal, not the step"](http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html#goal)
> > If you are trying to find out how to do something
> > (as opposed to reporting a bug),
> > begin by describing the goal.
> > Only then describe the particular step towards it
> > that you are blocked on.
> >
> > Often, people who need technical help
> > have a high-level goal in mind
> > and get stuck on what they think is one particular path towards the goal.
> > They come for help with the step,
> > but don't realize that the path is wrong.
> > It can take substantial effort to get past this.
> >
> > **Stupid:** How do I get the color-picker on the FooDraw program
> > to take a hexadecimal RGB value?
> >
> > **Smart:** I'm trying to replace the color table on an image with values of my choosing.
> > Right now the only way I can see to do this is by editing each table slot,
> > but I can't get FooDraw's color picker to take a hexadecimal RGB value.
> >
> > The second version of the question is smart.
> > It allows an answer that suggests a tool better suited to the task.


