Topic eight employability notes
8: Demonstrate problem-solving skills
Introduction
testing assumptions.
Definition of key terms
Team Problems: These are the challenges that teams experience while carrying out their
assigned activities.
Problem-solving strategies: These are strategies of working through details of a problem to
reach a solution that may be favorable to the situation at hand.
Problem assumptions: These are something or problems that are assumed to be the case
even without proof.
Content/procedures/methods/illustrations
8.1 Creative, innovative and practical solutions are developed based on the problem
In today's evolving world solutions for the emerging issues must be creative, innovative and
practical for them to effectively get a perfect solution to the problem at hand.
Process of coming up with a solution.
a) Figure out the problem to be solved
At this stage, we should make sure the right problem is being solved and be given a priority.
The problem has to be clearly identified so as the direction of solving it can be defined.
b) Analyzing the problem
At this stage, the problem is scrutinized and all the variables and values that are the cause of
the problem.
The focus should be on how often the problem occurs, how intense is it, the perceived causes
and if any special circumstances impact on it.
c) Classify the decision criteria.
In this stage, all factors leading into the decision-making process are identified.
Decisions making is the process of making choices by identifying decision gathering
information and assessing alternative resolutions.
Solutions decisions should be based on solely existing standards.
d) Coming up with more than one solution.
At this stage, you come up with a variety of solutions.
Evaluate all the solutions and scenarios as objectively as possible.
e. Picking the best solution.
After evaluating all the options and values from steps one through four, the best scientific
solution to move forward with is picked and this is the one that is to be implemented.
8.2 Independence and initiative in identifying and solving problems is demonstrated.
Independence and initiative are important skills that everyone should have. It works
effectively in a team.
Teams are made up of people that work together to arrive at a common goal.
Each individual in the team needs to take the initiative to fulfill their responsibilities.
They need to be able to plan how you are going to fulfill responsibilities that we assigned to
the individual as part of the team.
This means close communication with other team members.
But the individual has to determine:
• What needs to be done?
• How is it going to be done?
• When is each task going to be completed?
In order for this skill to be portrayed in an individual, they need to be able to follow through
the task individual have without being monitored.
This means that the individual has to:
• Complete the task on time.
• Pay attention to details and produce high-quality work in an ethical manner.
• Use problem-solving skills take the initiative to help.
8.3 Team problems are solved as per the workplace guidelines
Solving team problems is an act of defining a problem, determining its cause, prioritizing,
identifying and selecting alternatives for the solution and finally implementing a solution.
There are 4 steps of problem-solving in teams:
• Define the problem
• Generate an alternative
• Evaluate and select an alternative
• Implement and follow up of the solution
i. Define the problem
The situation within the team is diagnosed fully. Flowcharts to identify the expected steps of
a process and cause an effect diagrams are used to define analyze the causes in the team.
ii. Generate an alternative
Several problem-solving alternatives are proposed.
The selection of the solution should not be implemented until an alternative is found.
iii. Evaluate and select an alternative
A series of consideration are considered when selecting and evaluating a solution.
The considerations are:
• The alternative should solve the problem without causing another.
• The alternative should be generally accepted by all teams involved.
• Implementation of alternative if possible. The alternative selected should be
implementable within the team.
There are three basic stages involved in implementing an alternative to a
solution.
• Planning and preparing to implement the solution. Planning of action
describes.
• Implementing and monitoring: the alternative solution should be implemented
in the easiest way possible. The monitoring of the solution should be possible to
easily monitored using different monitoring techniques such as observation.
• Reviewing: reviewing involves how the alternative will solve the problem.
Will it solve the alternative effectively or not? If it won't, come up with a different
alternative.
iv. Implement and follow up of the solution
The solution selected should be the one that can implement and can be followed up. There
are solutions that are difficult to implement or impossible in a particular area. The above
steps enable effective problems solving skills process within a team.
8.4 Problem solving strategies are applied as per the workplace guidelines
Problem-solving is the process of working through details of a problem to arrive at a
solution.
Strategies are things that could guarantee the solving of the problem at hand.
The following are known strategies for solving a problem:
i. Identify the issue
The issue needs to be clearly known. Different people might have different views of what the
issues of the problem maybe.
Separate the listing of issues from the identification of interests.
ii. Understand everyone’s interest
Interests are the needs that are supposed to be satisfied by a given solution.
The best solution is that satisfies everyone’s interest.
This is done through active thinking and listening.
iii. List the possible solutions
This involves doing brainstorming.
All the participants are encouraged to think and suggest as many ideas as possible.
.
iv. Evaluate the options
The given solutions to the problem need to go through an evaluation test.
This test is meant to come up with the most suitable option that can effectively be the best
solution to the problem at hand.
v. Select an option or options
From the many options available the best option possible that effectively handles the
problem should be considered.
vi. Document the agreements
It is good for the agreement to be given a proper agreement document. Writing it down will
help you think through the details and implications.
vii. Agree on contingencies, monitoring and evaluation
In problem-solving there should be a contingency agreement about foreseeable future
circumstance. There should be creation of opportunities to evaluate the agreements and their
implementation.
8.5 Problems are analyzed and assumptions tested as per the context of data and
circumstances
Problem analyzing involves identifying a problem and establishing the causes and effects
related to a problem. The key element to problem analyzing is ensuring that the root cause is
identified. There are techniques that are used in problem analyzing.
Techniques of problem analyzing
a) Identifying priorities
b) Analyzing to find root causes
c) Developing alternatives
d) Decision making
e) Follow up
Assumption testing
An assumption is something taken to be true or the case even without proof.
The data provided can be used to make an assumption.
The assumption made is testing so that it can be justified as a problem to the solution of the
problem.
Assumption testing has three phases:
a) List assumptions
Start by listing the assumptions that are made in the problem.
b) Assess the assumed
Once there is a list of the assumptions, start to assess them.
How much would you assume that your assumptions are right? Asses the risk of what
happens if the strategy is wrong.
c) Test your assumptions
Before spending time on assumptions tests you would like to do, sort the list of assumptions
by the confidence and risk score from the worst to the best.
The one with the best score can be taken as the one with enough proof to be implemented
and the one with the worst score can be rejected.