A commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem WordNet 3.0 & Open English WordNet

A heuristic, or heuristic technique, is any approach to problem solving or self-discovery that employs a practical method that is not guaranteed to be optimal, perfect, or rational, but is nevertheless sufficient for reaching an immediate, short-term goal or approximation. Wikipedia

Kind of method for solving a problem. Wikipedia Disambiguation

Problem-solving method that is sufficient for quick, short-term solutions/approximations Wikidata

A strategy using readily accessible, though loosely applicable, information to control problem solving in human beings and machines. OmegaWiki

A heuristic method. Wiktionary