- "Problem solving is the process of achieving a goal by overcoming obstacles."
The ability to recognize the problem and develop a clear understanding of what needs to be solved.
Problem identification: Understanding what a problem is and how to identify a problem.
Goal setting: Setting clear and realistic goals is an important first step in problem-solving.
Brainstorming: Generating ideas for potential solutions to the problem.
Defining the problem: Understanding the nature and scope of the problem.
Developing hypotheses: Formulating possible explanations for the problem.
Gather data: Collecting information to support or refute possible hypotheses.
Analyzing data: Examining and interpreting data to make informed decisions.
Evaluating alternatives: Weighing the pros and cons of possible solutions.
Selecting the chosen solution: Selecting the best possible solution based on data and analysis.
Implementing the chosen solution: Executing the chosen solution.
Monitoring progress: Tracking progress and making adjustments as needed.
Communication: Effectively communicating with others involved in the problem-solving process.
Feedback: Seeking and using feedback to improve the problem-solving process.
Quality control: Ensuring that the solutions implemented perform as expected and meet quality standards.
Multidisciplinary problem solving: Understanding and incorporating different perspectives and expertise to solve complex problems.
Innovation: Thinking outside the box to come up with creative solutions.
Risk assessment: Evaluating potential risks and taking steps to mitigate them.
Continuous improvement: Ongoing analysis and adaptation to improve the problem-solving process and outcomes.
Root cause analysis: Identifying and addressing the underlying causes of the problem.
Decision-making: Making informed and effective decisions throughout the problem-solving process.
Root cause analysis: This is a method of identifying the underlying cause of a problem. It involves digging through the symptoms to find the root cause of the issue.
SWOT analysis: This is a tool used to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It is useful in problem-solving where the problem requires a strategic solution.
Brainstorming: This is a group or individual process that encourages generating numerous ideas and solutions by promoting free-thinking.
Force Field Analysis: It maps out the forces that support and oppose change or problem solving to focus on strengthening the positive ones and reducing the negative ones.
Fishbone diagram: This is also known as an Ishikawa diagram or a cause-and-effect diagram. It is a visual tool typically used to identify all possible contributions to a problem.
Pareto chart: This is a type of chart that is used to prioritize problems by focusing on the ones that will have the most significant impact when solved first.
Gap analysis: This process identifies areas where there is a discrepancy between current performance and desired performance. It aims to close this gap.
Critical thinking: This skill involves analyzing complex ideas, concepts, and arguments to make informed decisions and creative solutions.
Decision trees: They are decision-making tools that help identify and compare different options and scenarios.
Benchmarking: This is a process for comparing the performance of individuals, companies or products to similar benchmarks considered the best in class.
Failure modes and effects analysis: FMEA is an analytical approach to engineering and design that involves identifying potential failures in a system and ranking them according to severity, likelihood, and detection.
Flowchart: It’s a graphic representation of a process. It is useful for outlining the different steps of a process and identifying areas that may require improvement.
Reflective thinking: This skill focuses on the process of reviewing past experiences and extracting meaningful insights that can help in present problem-solving.
Cause-and-effect analysis: It’s an analytical tool that connects causes and effects by reasoning logically from the cause of the problem back to its root.
Six thinking hats: This technique uses an imaginary colored hat to represent different styles of thinking. It provides a framework to explore a topic from various perspectives.
Mind Mapping: A technique that maps out ideas and concepts through visual brainstorming. It can help you identify and clarify the relationship between different ideas and their relevance to the problem at hand.
Kipling method: This involves answering a series of key questions: What, Why, How, Where, When, Who, and Which- to identify the root of a problem.
Intuition thinking: Intuition thinking is a process of identifying patterns and making connections based on instinct or intuition.
Theory of constraints: This method identifies the weakest part of any system and finds ways to improve it, resulting in an overall increase in efficiency.
5 Whys: This technique involves asking “Why?” five times to identify the root cause of a problem.
- "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."