A simple problem solving process
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Introduction By far one of the most effective personal improvement strategies any individual (or organisation) can ever use is problem solving. Far too much time and money is wasted doing things again and again when, if only we could learn from our mistakes we would put them right for good. An effective problem solving strategy does just that.
Background
Many problems you face will be repeats of problems which have occurred before; which indicates that the true cause of the problem has not been eliminated - yet. A problem can be said to exist when:
'You have deviated from what should have happened to what has actually happened'.
A systematic approach to problem solving will ensure that problems are solved effectively and stay solved.
Seven Easy Steps to Solving Problems using the 7 'D's Approach
1. Describe the problem
Problems can be described in many ways in order to better understand them. A good idea is to describe your problem using a one sentence headline which begins with 'How to' or 'How can ?' Try it!
2. Define the symptoms and facts
Next you need to establish the situation and facts. To do this use good problem solving questions such as:
- How has the problem occurred?
- Why is this a problem for you?
- What is the current situation?
- What, if anything, has been tried before?
- What else has been thought of?
- When did this problem first occur?
- What else happened just before or at that time? Etc, etc.
In order to solve any problem you need to treat the causes and not the symptoms (a symptom is what indicates to you that you have a problem). However, it is often the symptom that gets your attention. Collect facts to show you the scale of your problem and to show you the trends i.e. is the problem increasing, decreasing, static, variable, regular, intermittent etc. Then analyse your facts using tools such as pareto charts and histograms.
3. Determine the Possible Causes
Now you can begin to look for possible causes. This is where you need to be logical and radical. Think beyond what has gone before, challenge prejudices and beliefs, and examine all the relevant facts and information at hand using tools such as Brainstorming and CEDAC (Cause and Effect Diagram with the Addition of Cards). Systematically consider every possible cause and check it against the known factual information.
4. Develop Solutions and Ideas
Now using brainstorming, you need to be creative. Start your brainstorming by writing a 'How to' statement on a flipchart so it is clearly visible and in the forefront of everyones mind. Don't rule anything out. Brainstorm all possible solutions and ideas you can think of that could solve your problem. Then go to step 5.
5. Decide on the best solution
Now review your brainstorming list and eliminate any ideas that will not completely eliminate your problem. Evaluate the rest using a systematic ranking tool such as 10/4, 3 Star Rating, or Consequence Analysis (my favourite as it is the most objective). During your deliberations you should consider Cost, Complexity and Risk.
6. Do the implementation work
It's not uncommon for problems to go unsolved; simply because the implementation of the solution was not carried out or carried out badly. Solving problems means changing something and as a general rule we don't like change! Always make sure that those affected by change are involved in it, that way you gain buy-in and your change will be much more likely to succeed.
7. Demonstrate success
Finally, complete the problem solving loop to satisfy yourself that the solution you implemented worked and that it has been successful. Therefore introduce a means of checking and evaluating the results. Do not assume all will be well - check!
Common Problem Solving mistakes...
- Choosing wrong problems
- Not understanding the seriousness and the cost of the problem
- Jumping to causes/solutions
- Wrong information
- Too much information
- Treating symptoms not causes
- "Politics" and pressure
- Defensiveness
- Blame culture
- Implementing first solution
- Not evaluating solutions
- Failure to implement solution
- Not thinking through the implementation
- Not checking effectiveness
A simple problem solving process - To learn more about this author, visit Terry Ingham's Website.
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Kim CastleWith nearly two decades in the advertising and design business, with clients like Domino's Pizza, General Motors, Direct TV, Pedigree, Wolfgang Puck, Higher Octave Music, Hollywood Celebrity Products, Disney, and Paramount, as well as thousands of entrepreneurs around the world define, structure, communicate, and position their business for greater profits, BrandU(R) co-creators Kim Castle and W. Vito Montone discovered that entrepreneurs could experience the same power that big brands command for a fraction of the cost with the world's only process-based results-drive Integral approach to business creation. BrandU(R) is helping entrepreneurs grow with the power of extreme clarity from idea...to brand...to market(TM) and helping one million entrepreneurs become successful and whole so that they can make a difference in the world. Are you one of them? If you want to experience clarity all the way to the bank(TM), get started now at http://www.brandu.com. - Visit Kim Castle's Website |
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Dave KurlanDave Kurlan is a best-selling author, top-rated speaker and thought leader on sales development. He is the founder and CEO of Objective Management Group, Inc., the industry leader in sales assessments and sales force evaluations, and the CEO of David Kurlan & Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in sales force development. Dave has been a top rated speaker at Inc. Magazine's Conference on Growing the Company, the Sales & Marketing Management Conference and the Gazelles Sales & Marketing Summit. He has been featured on radio and TV, including World Business Review with General Norman Schwarzkopf, in Inc. Magazine, Selling Power Magazine, Sales & Marketing Management Magazine and Incentive Magazine. He is the author of Mindless Selling and Baseline Selling – How to Become a Sales Superstar by Using What You Already Know about the Game of Baseball. He created and wrote STAR, a proprietary recruiting process for hiring great salespeople, and he writes Understanding the Sales Force, a popular business Blog and is a contributing author to The Death of 20th Century Selling and 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2. - Visit Dave Kurlan's Website |
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Dianne CramptonDianne Crampton is North America's leading authority on team culture. She is an author and professional speaker and president of the leading team culture consultancy, TIGERS Success Series, Inc. Crampton has been helping CEO's and Executives connect their employees to their core values and goals for over 20 years using the trademarked TIGERS team culture process, which stands for trust, interdependence, genuineness, empathy, risk and success. To download a free white paper on behaviors that build strong teams and behaviors that will predictably tear them down or to subscribe to TIGES Free monthly e-newsleeter go here. Dianne's contribution to the 2010 Pfeiffer Consulting Journal (an imprint of John Wiley and Sons Publishers) entitled TIGERS Hearted Teams is available in November 2009. Her new book TIGERS Among Us: Winning Business Team Cultures And Why They Thrive, Three Creeks Publishing will release in March 2010. To receive publishing discounts, subscribe to the free TigerTracks Newsletter here. - Visit Dianne Crampton's Website |
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