what are the steps to solving a problem

A part of being a peachy leader involves the power to solve problems finer and efficiently. The phrase "trouble solving" might sound scary to some but y'all should non go worried most it. Taking a few uncomplicated steps can help you lot and your team solve whatsoever trouble. Read on to discover out what the steps for effective problem solving are and how you can implement them.

Step i: Identify the problem

Not surprisingly, the first step is to identify the problem. What are you solving for? This is non only the first pace in the process of effective and efficient problem solving, it is besides the virtually important one. Identifying the problem is vital because the worst thing you can do is solve the wrong trouble.

So, take time to clearly understand and state the problem. Y'all should definitely involve all relevant stakeholders and collect their input. At this stage, request a few simple questions can lead to a skilful understanding of what the real issue is:

1. What is the current state of affairs?
2. What do you lot see as existence the trouble?
3. How urgently exercise we need to solve the problem? (tactical vs strategic solution)
4. What will the hereafter look like when the problem is solved?
5. What other stakeholder should be considered, if whatsoever?

In one case yous have identified and talked with all the relevant stakeholders, you should take a better agreement of the problem. Use the input you take collected to create the big picture story and state the problem. And last but not least, obtain concurrence from all stakeholders that this is the real problem you should exist solving for. You might demand to go through the procedure a few times, but at the end make sure that everyone agrees on the issue you are resolving.

Step 2: Generate possible solutions

After yous take clearly identified the problem and the opportunities associated with it, you can move to the next footstep. This is the creative and solving part of the process – generating possible solutions. There are at least two solutions to every trouble, so get ahead and unleash your creative and belittling thinking. At the aforementioned time remember to not guess and evaluate the solutions on the spot, especially if you are brainstorming. A seemingly "bad" idea tin generate the breakthrough and produce something outstanding. Proceed your mind open up and get your thinking hats on.

This is the footstep where you might need a few methods at your fingertips to discover out how to solve the problem. We will be sharing details about unlike ways to recall and solve issues in dissever articles. For now, here are some possible techniques to consider and use:

1. Systems thinking
2. Integrative thinking
3. Lateral thinking
4. Analytical thinking
5. Blueprint thinking
6. The 5 whys

Step iii: Choose the best suited solution

After yous accept generated at to the lowest degree a couple of solutions, it is time to choose the best suited 1 to implement. In guild to figure out how to go along you lot can do i or more of the following things:

1. Evaluate the solutions based on of import measurements such as time for implementation, total cost, full benefit, etc.
2. Create scenarios of what the world will look like with each of the proposed solutions
3. Utilize your logic (numbers such as total costs and benefits, time to implement, etc.), your feelings (how do you experience about the possible solution? Excited? Worried? Afraid? Happy? Peaceful?), and your intuition (what is your gut feeling telling you? Do yous sense success or failure?). This approach can be very helpful and let you review the solutions from various points, even some less "business-similar" views.

As you review the solutions, practise not forget to obtain blessing from the stakeholders. They need to exist on board for the time to come you lot are virtually to start building. Information technology might take time to reach an understanding but information technology is of import to have buy-in for the solution.

Step iv: Implement the solution

Once you have identified the most suitable solution, it is fourth dimension for implementation. The fourth of the five steps for effective problem solving process might be the most time-consuming i. It could also be the one where you might need to obtain buy-in from a lot more people to actually make the solution piece of work. Modify can be scary for people. Ane way to show them why the solution should be implemented, is to focus on the benefits of the change and the downsides of standing with the status quo.

Stride 5: Evaluate the process and results

The last step is to evaluate the whole problem solving process and the issue. Await at all the steps and what happened. Some good questions to enquire at this point are:

1. What worked well?
2. What could exist improved?
3. How well did we solve the problem?
4. What are the lessons learned?
5. Where did we face resistance or problems?
6. How well did nosotros reply to resistance and bug?
7. What did nosotros miss and why?
8. What did nosotros predict correctly and why?

Evaluating the process and the results is important for agreement how you personally and how your squad/company think and operate. It gives you a chance to learn and grow by being more enlightened of what works and why, equally well as of what could be changed and why. This new level of awareness and agreement will assist you to solve bug in a more efficient and effective style the next time.

As a conclusion, merely a reminder that the five steps for effective problem solving higher up are high-level items. There are details in at that place which might be turned into their ain steps. You have the freedom to design your own framework for solving issues with every bit many or as few steps equally you want. You are also not supposed to wait for one step to be completed earlier moving to the adjacent stride. Information technology might actually take a few iterations of going through these steps before you reach a concluding implementation. Use your own judgement, noesis, and feel to make up one's mind how to approach the process and solve issues. And as always, we are here to support yous in whatsoever manner or class you lot desire and demand.

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Leadership Coach and Business organisation & Information technology Consultant at Leficomp

I'one thousand a leadership coach, empowering women in tech to meaningfully advance at work and in life.

doddhichislon.blogspot.com

Source: https://leficomp.com/5-steps-for-effective-problem-solving/

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