When Elimination Misfires

Elimination has a quieter danger than an incomplete list: ruling out the right option by mistake. A single bad assumption can disqualify the true answer early, and once it is off the table you stop looking at it.

Dealbreakers are useful, but only when they are explicit and checked carefully. Screen for disqualifiers before comparing attractive features, so one impressive strength does not hide a fatal flaw.

At the same time, keep a record of why each option was eliminated. If new evidence changes the picture, you can restore an option instead of losing the right answer too early.