- "Problem solving is the process of achieving a goal by overcoming obstacles."
Strategies for identifying and solving problems within an organization.
Problem Identification: This involves recognizing and defining issues that require solving through critical thinking.
Root Cause Analysis: This involves getting to the root of a problem, determining its cause or causes, and addressing them directly.
Brainstorming: This is a technique used to generate many possible solutions to a problem.
Logical Thinking: This involves using reasoning and common sense to solve problems.
Decision Making: This involves making decisions that are effective and aligned with the goals of the business.
Critical Thinking: This involves analyzing situations and evaluating information to make sound decisions.
Time Management: This involves organizing and prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines and achieve goals.
Communication Skills: This involves effective communication in identifying and solving problems with team members.
Leadership Skills: This involves the ability to motivate, inspire and lead team members to solve problems effectively.
Problem Evaluation: This involves measuring the effectiveness of problem-solving techniques, gathering feedback, and continuous improvement.
Collaboration: This involves working collaboratively with others to solve complex problems and facilitate decision-making.
Resource Management: This involves smart allocation of resources (e.g. people, finances) to problem-solving efforts.
Technology Utilization: This involves identifying and leveraging technology to optimize problem-solving efforts.
Problem-Solving Strategies: This involves developing effective problem-solving strategies (e.g. SWOT analysis, data analytics, cost-benefit analysis, etc.) to tackle different types of problems.
Creativity: This involves using imagination and out-of-the-box thinking to generate unique and innovative solutions to problems.
Analytical Problem Solving: This is a data-driven approach that involves breaking down a problem into its component parts, analyzing each part separately, and then synthesizing the parts together to form a solution.
Creative Problem Solving: This approach focuses on looking beyond the obvious solutions and thinking outside the box to find unique and innovative solutions to problems.
Collaborative Problem Solving: This approach involves working with a team or group to solve a problem together through brainstorming, consensus building, and sharing of ideas and knowledge.
Design Thinking: This approach is based on user-centered design principles, where the focus is on understanding and empathizing with the end-user, and then developing solutions that meet their needs.
Systems Thinking: This approach is focused on understanding the complex interrelationships between different components of a system and how changes in one part of the system can impact other parts.
Critical Thinking: This approach involves questioning assumptions, evaluating evidence, and considering different perspectives and data to arrive at a well-reasoned conclusion or solution.
Intuitive Problem Solving: This approach relies on gut instincts and intuition to quickly identify and solve problems, often in high-pressure situations.
Lean Six Sigma: This approach combines lean manufacturing principles with Six Sigma quality control methodologies to identify and eliminate waste and inefficiencies in business operations.
Root Cause Analysis: This approach involves digging deeply into the underlying causes of a problem to identify and address the root cause, rather than just treating the symptoms of the problem.
Agile Problem Solving: This approach is focused on quickly iterating and adapting solutions to rapidly changing environments and markets. It often involves cross-functional teams and continuous testing and improvement.
- "The former is an example of simple problem solving (SPS) addressing one issue, whereas the latter is complex problem solving (CPS) with multiple interrelated obstacles."
- "One classification is into well-defined problems with specific obstacles and goals, and ill-defined problems in which the current situation is troublesome but it is not clear what kind of resolution to aim for."
- "Similarly, one may distinguish formal or fact-based problems requiring psychometric intelligence, versus socio-emotional problems which depend on the changeable emotions of individuals or groups."
- "Professionals such as lawyers, doctors, programmers, and consultants are largely problem solvers for issues which require technical skills and knowledge beyond general competence."
- "Many businesses have found profitable markets by recognizing a problem and creating a solution: the more widespread and inconvenient the problem, the greater the opportunity to develop a scalable solution."
- "There are many specialized problem-solving techniques and methods in fields such as engineering, business, medicine, mathematics, computer science, philosophy, and social organization."
- "The mental techniques to identify, analyze, and solve problems are studied in psychology and cognitive sciences."
- "Problem-solving impediments include confirmation bias, mental set, and functional fixedness."
- "Solutions require sufficient resources and knowledge to attain the goal."
- "Problems in need of solutions range from simple personal tasks (e.g., how to turn on an appliance)."
- "Complex problem solving (CPS) with multiple interrelated obstacles."
- "Socio-emotional problems which depend on the changeable emotions of individuals or groups."
- "Lawyers, doctors, programmers, and consultants are largely problem solvers for issues which require technical skills and knowledge beyond general competence."
- "Many businesses have found profitable markets by recognizing a problem and creating a solution."
- "Engineering, business, medicine, mathematics, computer science, philosophy, and social organization."
- "The mental techniques to identify, analyze, and solve problems."
- "Problem-solving impediments include confirmation bias, mental set, and functional fixedness."
- "Solutions require sufficient resources and knowledge to attain the goal."
- "One classification is into well-defined problems with specific obstacles and goals, and ill-defined problems in which the current situation is troublesome but it is not clear what kind of resolution to aim for."