FREE TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
A repeatable IT troubleshooting method
Strong technicians reduce guessing by turning symptoms into evidence and controlled tests.
1 · Identify & scope
What is failing? Who is affected? What still works? When did it begin? What changed?
2 · Gather evidence
Observe status, logs, errors, counters, configuration and user-reported behavior.
3 · Form a hypothesis
Choose a cause that explains the evidence. Prefer testable explanations over random replacement.
4 · Test safely
Use the least disruptive test that can confirm or reject the hypothesis.
5 · Plan & act
Consider impact, permissions, backup/rollback and change controls before applying the fix.
6 · Verify
Confirm the original symptom is resolved and check related functionality for unintended effects.
7 · Document
Record symptoms, evidence, root cause, corrective action and prevention or follow-up.
Certification habit: when several answers could technically work, favor the answer that gathers evidence, preserves safety and follows the most logical troubleshooting order.