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Problem solving skills

This document provides information on problem solving skills and the problem solving process. It discusses why problem solving skills are important, defines what a problem is, and outlines the main steps in the problem solving process as: defining the problem, generating alternatives, choosing the best alternative, and getting feedback. It then goes on to provide more details on various tools that can be used at each step, such as the 5 Whys technique for problem definition and decision matrices for choosing a solution. The document also discusses decision making skills and factors that can influence decision making.

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Problem Solving Skills Problems are only opportunities in work clothes. – Henry Kaiser (American industrialist)
Outline  Why do we need problem solving mind?  What is a problem?  Steps of problem solving.  Problem solving tools and techniques.
Why do we need problem solving mind?  Problem-solving skills help you to resolve obstacles in a situation. ...  Problem- solving skills are traits that enable you to do that. ...  As a problem solver, you need to be able to identify the cause of the issue and understand it fully.  You can ... Keep specific examples in mind of times you solved a problem.
What is a problem? A problem is a situation that needs to be dealt with.
Steps of Problem Solving  Defining the Problem  Generating Alternatives  Choosing the best alternative  Feedback
First Defining the problem “If I had an hour to solve a problem I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.” -Albert Einstein
How to define a problem?  The 5 whys  Cause & Effect Analysis  CATWOE
The 5 whys tool It is simply asking “why” until finding the real cause of the problem
Benefits of the 5 whys  Simple technique  Flexible  Offers counter measures rather than causes.  Uncovers the deepest causes of the problem
The Cause & Effect tool
How to use the tool?  Identify the problem.  Work out the major factors involved.  Identify possible causes for each of the factors.  Analyze the diagram.
The CATWOE analysis Used to identify what the business is trying to achieve, what are the problem areas and how is the solution going to affect the business and people involved in it.
Clients • Who is on the receiving end? • What problem do they have now? • How will they react to what you are proposing? • Who are the winners and losers? Actors • Who will carry out the solution? • What is the impact on them? • How might they react? Transformation • What is the process for transforming inputs into outputs? • What are the inputs? Where do they come from? • What are the outputs? Where do they go to? • What are all the steps in between?
World View • What is the bigger picture? • What is the real problem you are working on? • What is the wider impact of any solution? The Owner • Can they help you or stop you? •What would cause them to get in your way? • What would lead them to help you? Environmental constraints • What are the boarder constraints of your idea? • Resources limit, code of ethics and other constraints. • What are the effects on your idea, can you bypass them?
Understanding Complexity A problem Varies from a simple small problem to a complex and big problem.
How to simplify things?  Affinity Diagram  Cause & Effect Diagram  Flow Chart
Affinity Diagrams Sample  An affinity diagram is the organization of ideas into a natural or common relationship. For example, bananas, apples, and oranges would be grouped as fruits, while green beans, broccoli, and carrots would be grouped as vegetables. Affinity diagrams aid teams in tapping into their creativity and gut instincts.
FLOW CHART SAMPLE
Problem Solving Process  Using Tools and Techniques to help you more in solving the problem  Simplex Inquiry  Appreciative Inquiry  Soft Systems  Methodology
Decision Making Skills “Perhaps our greatest distinction as a species is our capacity, unique among animals, to make counter evolutionary choices.”
Factors that affects decision making  Uncertainty  Complexity  High-risk consequences  Alternatives  Interpersonal issues
Steps of decision making  Creating a constructive  environment  Generating, exploring & choosing  alternatives  Checking & verifying decision  Action & communication
Creating a constructive environment  Creating a productive environment for generating alternatives.
 Establishing the objective  Agree on the process  Involving the right people  Ask the Right questions  Use Creativity tools
 Generating Ideas Looking at the problem from different angles, always tell yourself that:” there must be another solution out there.” How to Generate Ideas?  Brainstorming & reverse brainstorming  Charette procedure  Crawford Slip Writing Technique  Concept fan Technique  Affinity Diagrams
Crawford Slip Writing Technique
Exploring Alternatives
Tools & techniques of Analysis  Risk Analysis Threats associated Probabilities Worst case scenario technique  Implication analysis Six Thinking hats Impact Analysis  Validation analysis Star bursting technique Force field analysis Cost benefit analysis
The Starbursting technique
“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” Roy E. Disney Choosing the best alternative It is the step of making the “decision”
Tools & techniques of choosing  Decision matrix  Paired comparison  Analysis Decision Trees  Voting
Decision Tree Sample
Checking & verifying the choice It is a crucial step, which involves testing, error finding and applicability of the choice
Taking action  The final step in decision making process, is to communicate the results and take action, in executing the “solution” to the problem.
Thank You