Can anyone still troubleshoot?

A trend I’ve noticed recently.

Plenty of people who can install things... far fewer who can diagnose and fix non‑standard problems.

Don’t we train people to think like troubleshooters anymore?

To test, isolate, and eliminate causes in a logical way, instead of just swapping parts hoping to hit a solution.

Honestly, I find it bizarre.

My first real job was at International Computers Limited in the Customer Service Centre.

Clients would call with all sorts of issues. We had to figure out what was going wrong and fix it, often with no backup.

I’ll never forget support tickets like this one:

“Error 12546: refer to Customer Service Centre.”
But we were the Customer Service Centre.
There was no one left to refer to.

That’s when you realise the buck really does stop with you.
That’s when you grow up... because the responsibility is yours.

Fast-forward to the past weekend.
A plumbing problem.

I’m not a heating engineer, but I’ve installed and fixed a few systems over the years.

Two qualified engineers had already tried. Both went straight for major part replacements. Neither approach solved it.

It took a logical diagnosis to get to the real issue.
No major components needed.
£70 not £700.

Maybe we need to start developing fixers who think,
not just training qualified fitters who shrink.