Just like any of the other skills, the art of problem solving can be learnt and improved upon. Below are few tips to help you improve this skill. Not yet a member? Sign Up. Find your dream job. Get on promotion fasstrack and increase tour lifetime salary.
Explore A structured search through millions of jobs. Problem solving is the act of defining a problem; determining the cause of the problem; identifying, prioritizing, and selecting alternatives for a solution; and implementing a solution.
In order to effectively manage and run a successful organization, leadership must guide their employees and develop problem-solving techniques. Finding a suitable solution for issues can be accomplished by following the basic four-step problem-solving process and methodology outlined below.
Diagnose the situation so that your focus is on the problem, not just its symptoms. Helpful problem-solving techniques include using flowcharts to identify the expected steps of a process and cause-and-effect diagrams to define and analyze root causes. The sections below help explain key problem-solving steps.
These steps support the involvement of interested parties, the use of factual information, comparison of expectations to reality, and a focus on root causes of a problem. You should begin by:. Postpone the selection of one solution until several problem-solving alternatives have been proposed. Considering multiple alternatives can significantly enhance the value of your ideal solution. Once you have decided on the "what should be" model, this target standard becomes the basis for developing a road map for investigating alternatives.
Brainstorming and team problem-solving techniques are both useful tools in this stage of problem solving. Many alternative solutions to the problem should be generated before final evaluation. If we focus on trying to get the results we want, we miss the potential for learning something new that will allow for real improvement in the problem-solving process.
Problem-solving is important both to individuals and organizations because it enables us to exert control over our environment. Some things wear out and break over time, others are flawed from day Personal and business environments are full of things, activities, interactions and processes that are broken or not operating in the way they are desired to work.
Problem-solving gives us a mechanism for identifying these things, figuring out why they are broken and determining a course of action to fix them. Humans have learned to identify trends and developed an awareness of cause-and-effect relationships in their environment.
These skills not only enable us to fix things when they break but also anticipate what may happen in the future based on past-experience and current events. Individuals and organizations do not exist in isolation in the environment. There is a complex and ever-changing web of relationships that exist and as a result, the actions of one person will often have either a direct impact on others or an indirect impact by changing the environment dynamics. No Thanks Sign Me Up.
Career and Job Advice Find the Job. Problem-solving is a universal job skill that applies to any position and every industry. While everyone is tasked with some form of problem-solving in their workplace, not all employees are good at it. Understanding the critical components involved in problem-solving will help you improve this skill set and demonstrate your expertise to employers.
Strong problem solvers are a valuable addition to any team. The four stages of problem-solving You can use many different approaches to problem-solving, but you'll typically work through four distinct stages no matter what route you take.
Define the problem: Identify the issue that you're dealing with. Observe the problem area closely to form a detailed image of what's wrong. Analyze employee behavior, workplace policies, and operating procedures. Keep your focus on the problem at this point, and resist the urge to define the problem in terms of a solution. For example, "We need to improve training procedures" speaks to the solution more than the problem. Brainstorm alternatives: This is one of the most important stages of problem-solving.
It requires a careful balance of creativity and logical thinking. Compare all possible alternatives. Analyze the money, time, staff, and resources necessary for each approach as well as the return that you can expect from various strategies. Choose the best strategy: Strong decision-making is essential at this stage. After carefully considering all your options, you must select the best strategy for your problem and stick with your choice. Employees who waver or struggle to commit to a single plan don't make good problem solvers because they get stuck at this essential point in the process.
Implement your solution: Implementation is the critical peak of the problem-solving process. This is where you draw up an action plan, share it with the appropriate personnel, and follow through with your chosen approach. Essential skills for successful problem-solving Problem-solving may seem straightforward at first glance, but there are many employees who stumble over one or more of the critical steps, failing to successfully resolve workplace issues.
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