Final answer:
A troubleshooter capable of examining a situation and developing an action plan is best described as competent, indicating they have some experience and knowledge they can apply, but still need to think through the steps systematically.
Step-by-step explanation:
A troubleshooter who can examine a situation and then must consciously develop an action plan could best be described as competent. A troubleshooter at this level has gained experience from previous situations and can apply this knowledge to new problems, but needs to think through the steps to formulate a plan. This is in contrast to a novice who lacks experience, a proficient individual who can intuitively understand what needs to be done, and an advanced beginner who has limited experience but can perform adequately by following rules.
Problem-solving strategies range from trial and error to more systematic approaches, like algorithms and heuristics. A trial and error method might involve checking various aspects of a broken printer until the issue is resolved. Experts tend to use their experience to have a sense of the answer even before performing a detailed analysis, which helps in identifying potential mistakes and necessitates a closer look.