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7 Steps to CollaborativeProblem Solving

Copyright 2009, 2010, 2011

You can’t solve problems with the same thinking that created them

Albert Einstein

Many companies patch the problem.

Many companies patch the problem.

Do you want to fix the problem, or create the conditions so that it won’t happen again?

Set the bar high

Create the conditions for your company to solve problems collaboratively

a. List everything you know and want to know about the problem

b. Agree on the critical objectives that a solution must achieve

Work together as a group to describe the problem

Prioritize all components of the problem by what you can impact

Components of the Problem (Examples)Ability to Impact

Inadequate market insights High

Poor training High

Procrastination High

Customer confusion High

Supplier billing system Medium

Data migration Medium

Parent company policy Low

Budget constraints Low

The economy Nil

Identify people who contribute knowledge, insights and ideas

Bright ideas come from using different techniques that get your people out of the box; for example…

Problem Collage Paste together visual images of the problem and potential solutions using pictures cut out of magazines

Worst to Best Imagine the worst possible things you could do to address the problem then flip those into positive solutions

Money Mania What would you do if you had $1 billion to solve the problem; what would you do if you only had $1?

Give your team permission to be creative

Use agreed upon criteria to prioritize ideas for development

Criteria that allows 50% of all your ideas to pass

Criteria that allows 50% of Gate One ideas to pass

Criteria that allows only 2-3 of Gate Two ideas to pass

i.e. Impact on problem and overall potential

i.e. Resources, capabilities and capacity

i.e. Speed to implementation and budget

1 2 3

• List information gaps and sources• Determine how the solution affects and is affected by

all stakeholders, departments and business dimensions• Leverage the broadest spectrum of your people as

possible to create company-wide ownership of the solution

• Establish a senior manager or executive responsible for removing hurdles

• Set milestone dates• Schedule regular meetings to navigate development

through to completion• Outline immediate next steps, dates, resources and

individual accountabilities

Create a comprehensive Project & Action Plan

Define

Expose

Converge

Inspire

Evaluate

Act

Evolve

Learn from the experience

Embed these steps in your corporate culture and create the conditions to solve problems collaboratively

Different thinking requiresdifferent people working together in different ways

That’s how you create the conditions for successful

problem solving

CreateTheConditions.com iQuestinc.com

Articles and presentations to inspire thinking and accelerate action

Morry Patokamorryp@iquestinc.com

I would really like to hear what you have to say.

Please visit createtheconditions.com to share your comments and questions.

If you’d like to generate or accelerate your strategy, please visit me at iquestinc.com.

Copyright 2009, 2010, 2011