Business & strategy laws · law 017
Kidlin's Law
Also known as: A problem well stated is half solved
By Shivam Bhandari · Reviewed 31 October 2026 · How we write
what it means
If you can write the problem down clearly, the matter is half solved.
How Kidlin's Law works
Most business problems feel big because they are vague: ‘sales are bad’, ‘the team isn't working’. Writing a precise problem statement — what, where, since when, how much — exposes the real cause and the options.
The act of writing forces clarity that conversation often skips.
where it comes from
A popular modern saying whose exact source is unclear. It echoes the line widely attributed to inventor Charles Kettering, head of research at General Motors: “A problem well stated is a problem half solved.”
Kidlin's Law examples in business
Sales slump
‘Sales are down’ becomes ‘repeat orders from Chandigarh retailers fell 30% since our price change in March’ — now the fix is obvious to test.
Team conflict
Writing down exactly which handover fails reveals a missing owner, not a personality clash.
Investor pitch
A founder who writes the customer problem in one sentence finds the pitch, the product, and the ad copy all improve.
How to apply it
- 1Write the problem in one or two sentences, with numbers and dates.
- 2State what success would look like, also with numbers.
- 3List what you know and what you are assuming.
- 4Only then brainstorm solutions.
common misreading
Writing it down is half the work, not all of it — you still have to act.
ask yourself
Can you write your biggest problem in one sentence with a number in it?
put it into practice
Frequently asked questions
What is Kidlin's Law?
If you can write the problem down clearly, the matter is half solved. Most business problems feel big because they are vague: ‘sales are bad’, ‘the team isn't working’. Writing a precise problem statement — what, where, since when, how much — exposes the real cause and the options.
Who came up with Kidlin's Law?
A popular modern saying whose exact source is unclear. It echoes the line widely attributed to inventor Charles Kettering, head of research at General Motors: “A problem well stated is a problem half solved.”
How do you apply Kidlin's Law in business?
1. Write the problem in one or two sentences, with numbers and dates. 2. State what success would look like, also with numbers. 3. List what you know and what you are assuming. 4. Only then brainstorm solutions.
What is a common misunderstanding of Kidlin's Law?
Writing it down is half the work, not all of it — you still have to act.