A heuristic (/ h j ʊ ˈ r ɪ s t ɪ k /; from Ancient Greek εὑρίσκω (heurískō) 'method of discovery', or heuristic technique (problem solving, mental shortcut, rule of thumb) is any approach to problem solving that employs a pragmatic method that is not fully optimized, perfected, or rationalized, but is nevertheless "good enough" as ...