Problem Solving 03 Flashcards
Critical Thinking That Leads to
PROBLEM SOLVING
How to employ adaptive problem-solving
How to work through obstacles collaboratively
How to analyze failure to improve future performance
FIRST STEP:
Define (or identify) the problem
This may not be as straightforward as you might imagine. Sometimes simply thinking through what you perceive to be a problem might lead you to conclude it isn’t really a problem.
need to determine exactly what it is. To do this you need to be able to clearly define the problem. Try to state it in a single declarative sentence.
Then go through the pros and cons of the problem. Perhaps weighing the likely cost of not resolving it.
Three steps of Problem Definition Filter:
Explore the current situation.
Explain.
Ask yourself. “Why is that a problem?” and Identify the “source problem.”
Explore the current situation.
Paint a picture in words by including the “presenting problem,” the impact it is having, the consequences of not solving the problem, and the emotions the problem is creating for those involved.
PROBLEM SOLVING BASICS
Depending on the problem we often use both creative or divergent thinking and critical or convergent thinking.
Problem solving relies on analytical ability, lateral or creative thinking, logical reasoning or critical thinking, initiative and persistence.
Our brains are required to switch from critical to creative thinking at different stages of problem solving.
Divergent thinking (creative)
Explore possibilities, All possible way to reach solution.
Convergent thinking (critical)
DEcide what to do? Think about final solution
Five key skills
that are needed to be a good problem solver
Analytical Ability Lateral Thinking Logical Reasoning Initiative Persistence
Analytical Ability
This means to know how to visualize, gather information, articulate, analyze, solve complex problems and make decisions
Lateral Thinking
This is our old friend creativity by another name.
It involves discarding the obvious, leaving behind the usual modes of thought and throwing away preconceptions and using your inspiration and imagination to solve problems by looking at them from unexpected perspectives.
Logical Reasoning
This is a major aspect of our other friend Critical Thinking.
It is asking the important questions, gathering and assessing relevant information, arriving at well-reasoned conclusions while staying open-minded and then communicating effectively with others to arrive at solutions.
Initiative
This is seizing upon opportunities and taking the lead to solve problems, rather than to pass them on to other people.
It can also involve anticipating potential problems and taking pre-emptive steps to resolve them
Persistence
This is the “stick to it” factor.
Perseverance and persistence are highly related to the ability to not only solve the problem, but to also enact a solution.
It’s all very well to finally come up with a solution, but it only matters to you or your organization if it is carried out despite any obstacles.
One way to look at problem solving is an acronym IDEAL
Identify the issue Define the Context Explore Options Act on the best solution Look back and Learn
Stakeholders in Problem Solving
Understanding their needs, experiences and expectations will improve your thinking about the current state of things and will allow you to solve the problem while keeping them in mind.
stakeholder Analysis
Who Why What What What
Who
stands to “gain” or “lose” as a result of the problem solving process?
Better to start with a too-big pool than a too-small one.
Internal and External
Why
do they want the problem solved?
This is the “what’s in it for them?” question.
For some stakeholders it might be critical to their future health and well-being.
For some it may just be nice if the problem was solved.
What
does “solved” look like to each stakeholder?
You must place yourself in each group of stakeholder’s shoes.
You should also understand that ‘solved:” for one group might be at odds with another
group’s idea of what “solved” looks like
What 2
do the stakeholders want from us?
Whether it has been stated or not, usually all stakeholders want something – explicitly or implicitly.
What 3
do we need from the stakeholders?
The other side of the coin.
Do we as a company or a group or an individual expect something in return for solving the problem or as a consequence of solving the problem?
Isn’t it counter-intuitive to be doing something risky when solving a problem?
Yes” - in the sense that we truly are not suggesting irresponsible risk-taking.
If there is no risk taking in your thought process are you ever likely to come up with some better solutions in your problem solving?
It has been said that “progress can only happen by taking risks”
mistakes are important steps to arriving at better solutions.
Risky problem solving and failure in this way!
Because in doing so they create new opportunities to try out other problem solving techniques and generate other solutions.
Without those mistakes or failures the better answers may never come.
Creating a safe space for everyone
to be wrong once in a while
by making it a part of how we become right or how we get to better problem-solving.
How do we create spaces? (some proposals)
- Admit when you don’t know something and turn it into a discussion to figure it out together.
- Applaud unsuccessful attempts at figuring something out and note that it’s not simply knowing an answer that’s important.
- Involve everyone in the room by finding a way of calling on people that ensures even the quietest voice in the room is heard.
- Consider having a rule that everyone can only add on to another’s ideas and may not attack or deride them
Collaborative Problem-Solving
‘no one of us is as smart as all of us’
business leaders are turning to the principles of collaborative problem solving to address both their immediate and long-term goals.
Because in a nutshell at the speed at which things change around us none of us individually can possibly be as smart as a group of us collectively thinking about a problem.
