Six steps of troubleshooting include identifying the problem, establishing a theory of probable cause, testing the theory, establishing and implementing a solution plan, verifying full system functionality, and documenting findings, actions, and outcomes. Effective troubleshooting uses a combination of open and closed questions, and thorough documentation of all investigation steps, tests, solutions, and outcomes is critical. Experienced technicians may use a half-split self-evaluation approach that combines top-down and bottom-up methods with educated guesses to efficiently diagnose and resolve issues.