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

bro??

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

alternativeFeedback

1st 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 whysCause & 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 analysisUsed 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 ComplexityA 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

Problem Solving ProcessUsing 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 environmentCreating 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 IdeasLooking 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 AlternativesWe analyze and evaluate alternatives in terms of risk, implication & validation

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

Choosing the best alternativeIt is the step of making the “decision”

“When your values are

clear to you, making

decisions becomes

easier.”

Roy E. Disney

Tools & techniques of choosing

Decision matrix

Paired comparison

analysis

Decision Trees

Voting

Decision Tree Sample

Checking & verifying the choiceIt 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.

Mounir Rafik Aziz &

Kamal El Refy