Balance divergent and convergent thinking, Focus on “Yes, and…” rather than “No, but…”, Begin with the problem or problematic situation, Express the problem or situation and build a rich picture of the themes of the problem, Identify the root causes of the problem (most commonly with CATWOE), Build conceptual models of human activity surrounding the problem or situation, Compare models with real-world happenings, Identify changes to the situation that are both feasible and desirable, Take action to implement changes and improve the problematic situation. Then they try to change or eliminate the factors one by one, beginning with the factor responsible for the greatest difference in current and goal state. By nature, creative problem solving does not have a clear-cut set of do’s and don’ts. Learning how to effectively solve problems is difficult and takes time and continual adaptation. Everybody wins.”. Problem solving software is the best way to take advantage of multiple problem solving tools in one platform. Then, perform an effects analysis to understand the consequences of each of the potential downfalls. Fishbone diagrams. Once each advocacy team has presented its best-case scenario, the group has a discussion (advocacy teams still defend their presented idea). Without a clear articulation of the problem at stake, it is impossible to analyze all the key factors and actors, generate possible solutions, and then evaluate them to pick the best option. So, try out several methods, find those that resonate best with your team, and continue adopting new techniques and adapting your processes along the way. However, there are a several best practices that you should incorporate: MacLeod offers the following additional advice, “Always get the facts. SSM was borne out of organizational process modeling and general systems theory, which hold that everything is part of a greater, interconnected system: This idea works well for “hard” problems (where logic and a single correct answer are prioritized), and less so for “soft” problems (i.e., human problems where factors such as personality, emotions, and hierarchy come into play). Problem solving, especially in business, is a complicated science. Now you're getting more into the feelings and background [of the situation], not just the facts. And given that most problem-solving processes are part inspiration, part perspiration, you’ll be more successful, more often, if you can reach for a problem solving tool that facilitates collaboration, encourages creative thinking, and makes it easier to implement the fix you devise. “The biggest barrier to creative problem solving is a lack of awareness – and commitment to – training employees in state-of-the-art creative problem-solving techniques,” Mattimore explains. Although there is often procedural and objective crossover among techniques, they are grouped by theme so you can identify which method works best for your organization. Because they facilitate the brainstorming process that plays a key role in both root cause analysis and the identification of potential solutions, they help make problems more solvable. A flowchart is an easy-to-understand diagram with a variety of applications. Problem solving mind maps are especially valuable in visualization. Our world-class consulting team is here to help your organization realize the lasting advantage of Smartsheet. Inductive Reasoning: A logical method that uses evidence to conclude that a certain answer is probable (this is opposed to deductive reasoning, where the answer is assumed to be true). Teams feel empowered and engagement and investment increases.”. Collective problem solving is problem solving that includes many different parties and bridges the knowledge of different groups. Business presents a unique need for creative problem solving. Creativity is embedded in this process by incorporating diverse inputs and/or new ways of organizing the information received.”. The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible – you analyze, critique, and evaluate the ideas only after the brainstorming session is complete. By systematically tackling the multiple factors that cause disparity between the problem and desired outcome, teams can better focus energy and control each step of the process. “Do not start by introducing a new company-wide innovation process,” he says. MacLeod reiterates the vitality of creative problem solving in the workplace. Free your team from content sprawl with Brandfolder, an intuitive digital asset management platform. In today’s competitive business landscape, organizations need processes in place to make strong, well-informed, and innovative decisions. Free your team from content sprawl with Brandfolder, an intuitive digital asset management platform. In fact, CPS is so important that some companies now list creative problem solving skills as a job criteria. Because mental maps mirror the way our brains take in and analyze new information, using them to describe your theories visually will help you and your team work through and test those thought models. It can be difficult for teams to create analogies among unrelated problems, but it is a strong technique to help you identify repeated issues, zoom out and change perspective, and prevent the problems from occurring in the future. There are also many un-named creative problem solving techniques that follow a sequenced series of steps. Made up of a few simple symbols linked with arrows indicating workflow direction, flowcharts clearly illustrate what happens at each stage of a process – and how each event impacts other events and decisions. Not only is it versatile enough to use as your go-to system for puzzling out all types of workplace problems, MindManager’s built-in forecasting tools, timeline charts, and warning indicators let you plan, implement, and monitor your solutions. With the possible root causes of an issue (the ribs) branching off from either side of a spine line attached to the head (the problem), dynamic fishbone diagrams let you: Fishbone diagrams are also known as cause and effect or Ishikawa diagrams. The factors and questions to consider include (which combine to make the acronym CATWOE): Soft Systems Methodology (SSM): For extremely complex problems, SSM can help you identify how factors interact, and determine the best course of action. Lean Six Sigma: What it is and why you’ll want to use it on your next project. Carella is a fan of this approach. Watch this webinar for a full overview of what Lean Six Sigma is, and how MindManager fits into the process. Try MindManager FREE for 30 days. When people work together to generate multiple novel ideas and evaluate solutions, they are also more likely to arrive at an effective decision, which will improve business processes and reduce waste over time. Especially in today’s competitive landscape, organizations need to iterate quickly, innovate with intention, and constantly be at the cutting-edge of creativity and new ideas to succeed. As discussed, most experts agree that the first and most crucial step in problem solving is defining the problem. Decision making is choosing one of multiple proposed solutions  — therefore, this process also includes defining and evaluating all potential options. Possible Solutions: Consider and brainstorm ideas for resolution.6. One such tool is  Smartsheet, the world’s leading SaaS platform for managing and automating collaborative work. Mental maps.

problem solving tools and techniques

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