In an experiment designed to understand how people use problem-solving strategies, participants were presented with a complex puzzle involving a series of interconnected circuits that needed to be activated in a specific order to light up all the bulbs. Although most participants used a trial-and-error approach, a few were able to employ systematic problem-solving strategies and solved the puzzle much faster. Based on the principles of cognitive psychology, which of the following strategies is likely to result in more efficient problem-solving in such scenarios?