Framework thinking is a systematic approach to problem-solving and decision-making that involves using structured models or frameworks to analyze and address complex issues. It enables individuals to break down problems into manageable components, identify patterns, and apply consistent principles across different scenarios. By leveraging predefined frameworks, such as SWOT analysis or the Five Forces model, framework thinking facilitates a deeper understanding of the situation, promotes strategic thinking, and enhances the ability to develop effective solutions and make informed decisions. This approach is particularly valuable in business, engineering, and strategic planning contexts.
As I see it, a framework thinking is a conceptual perspective or worldview, for example, contextualism, preformism, organicism, mechanicist ... that people in general and scientists in particular use to deal with the theoretical and practical problems and questions with which they are confronted during their lifetime. For example, a theoretical analysis or empirical research is always performed under the influence of a given worldview. Of course, a theoretical analysis, an empirical research and so forth can be subsumed under more than one worldview. When this is the case, the risk is to fall prey to an undesirable eclectic framework.
To have a framework thinking reminds me of the following. "If you want to get ahead and go further, then you have to have a theory, or even a metatheory, that is, a framework thinking or conceptual perspective or worldview.
I would suggest you to read the following classical and seminal book:
Pepper, S. (1942). World hypotheses. Berkeley: University of California Press.