They say there is no magic bullet in software design but my friend Scott Bain came up with something that I think is pretty close. He recorded a multimedia presentation that describes a simple technique to help you get clues from a problem about what pattern might be useful in determining a design approach. It is based on an interesting experience he had while consulting for a Northwest-based airline.

Here is a link to this (free) presentation.  I hope you find it useful!

http://www.netobjectives.com/resources/streamzines/encapsulate-that-design-patterns-principle

-David Bernstein-