Problem Solving Template
Voltage Control is a
facilitation agency that helps
teams work better together
with custom-designed
Collaborative Problem Solving Activity meetings and workshops,
both in-person and virtual.
INSTRUCTIONS
Go through each step of the Problem Solving Template. In some instances, this template can take a few hours. In other more complex
scenarios, it can takes months. Invest ample time on the first two steps, DO NOT RUSH. Front-loading the work will save you time
later.
1 Context
1) Determine the relevant stakeholders involved in the problem-solving process. Identify those who are closest to the problem space.
2) Gather multiple perspectives about the current state by talking to key stakeholders. You can have mini-interviews where you ask questions like: What’s going on that makes
you think you have a problem? What are the symptoms?
3) Integrate the multiple perspectives into a cohesive story. Write out the context in paragraph form (avoid lists). Be explicit about areas of misalignment. Explain where people
agree and disagree. Describe the situation and make sure to include all negative or positive elements. Feel free to use a shared document to complete the context.
4) Share the context with key stakeholders to surface misalignment.
5) Upgrade context and share with stakeholders again until agreement is reached upon the current state.
Who are your key stakeholders? Perspectiaves Context
Create a cohesive narrative of the current state that incorporates multiple stakeholders perspective.
Include the problem solving team, and all Describe each stakeholders perspective on the
relevant internal and external stakeholders current state. What do they think is happening?
who are closest to the problem. Why do they think there is a problem?
2 Identify the Problem 3 Identify the Intention
The problem statement a simple, concise one-sentence description of the The intent statement is the opposite of your problem statement. It forms the
situation we want to change. The problem statement often falls out of the overarching goal for your work and gets you focused on a future worth
context. creating. If the intent statement does not summarize your desired future state,
1. Write a series of potential problem statements. It can be helpful to use the you will need to re-think your problem statement. The strength of the intent
stem, "The problem we are trying to solve is that..." statement is a result of the work you put into identifying the problem.
2. Once you have a draft problem statement, keep asking "Why is that a
problem". This will get you to the root problem vs just a symptom. Does this Intention Statement inspire you? If the answer is no, reconsider your
3. Get input on the problem statement with key stakeholders. Problem Statement and ensure you've identified the correct one.
4. Keep your "working" problem statement at the top of the list - but don't delete
your other work! Archive everything - use another document or PST template
if you need more space.
4 Desired Outcomes 5 Action Plan
1. List the thing you need to have in order to fulfill the intention. Desired This plan is all of the necessary steps to achieve each desired outcome.
Outcomes are nouns. Start with each Desired outcome and create a mini-action plan for each one.
2. Questions that help you create Desired Outcomes: When put together in strategic priority and order, then you have a blueprint
What must we have in order to achieve our intent? to move from the current state to the desired future state.
What problems will have been solved?
What decisions will have been made?
What kind of sharing/learning will have happened? DESIRED
ACTION ITEM ASSIGNED TO DUE BY / TIMING
OUTCOME #
What level of relationship will have been formed?
Potential Blocks
Now that you've listed all of your Desired Outcomes, do you foresee any
individuals, groups, organizations, dynamics, or any other blocks getting in
the way of achieving your desired outcomes? Do you need to add in more
Desired Outcomes to address these blocks? Return to step 4 if so.