The algorithm might not be a trite as it seems at first.
In particular, I find the first step to be extremely valuable:
Write down the problem.
Part of my bag of problem-solving tricks is to start by writing a question for StackOverflow. The point is not to post the question for someone else to answer, but for me to frame the problem in such a way that it can be written about clearly enough for someone else to understand it.
I find that about 50% of the time I have the answer to my own question before even hitting the post button.
1) Write down the problem.
2) Try several established strategies to solve it.
3) Get stuck, resign self to failing out of school
4) Go to sleep
5) Write out the answer over breakfast
In particular, I find the first step to be extremely valuable:
Write down the problem.
Part of my bag of problem-solving tricks is to start by writing a question for StackOverflow. The point is not to post the question for someone else to answer, but for me to frame the problem in such a way that it can be written about clearly enough for someone else to understand it.
I find that about 50% of the time I have the answer to my own question before even hitting the post button.