You just need to find it, and you can by maintaining a calm, positive attitude and steadily progressing through the different stages of the problem-solving process.

Problem identification is a vital step in problem-solving processes so that you know exactly what you are dealing with. What might seem to be the root cause of your situation may be something entirely different.

Also, defining the problem will help you gather data, analyze the issues surrounding it, and find a potential solution. What exactly is the challenge you are facing?

What about this particular situation is causing you stress and anxiety? You must clearly define the problem to resolve it.

Not only should you clarify what the problem is, but you should also see what caused the problem. Sometimes a clear root cause cannot be determined, or there may be several factors that are causing the problem. In these cases, you can still move forward in finding solutions by defining what is currently hard to deal with and what needs to be changed or solved.

Each person will bring a unique perspective that will help clarify what the situation is. Write out the problem so that it is easy for you and everyone else to see exactly what it is.

It may help to draw a picture, diagram, or graph to fully visualize the problem. When the issue is clearly defined, the solution may be obvious. As I mentioned in the first step, geniuses solve issues with out-of-the-box thinking.

So you need to see the problem from every angle before you begin moving down solution paths. You should think: Are there other problems that are affecting this obstacle?

If so, you need to address it first. Meeting with others who may be involved in the process can offer you more brainpower to shed light on the problem. You can work together to look at what the issue is affecting, what is affecting it, and how to solve it.

It might feel as if you can work faster on your own. People outside the problem can also offer a valuable third-party opinion.

This approach validates what the other person is saying so that all input is accepted as valuable and ideas are not negated. It also gives you an equal opportunity to add your ideas and input.

Think creatively by looking outside of your industry or situation for solutions. While it is helpful to analyze how others within your field or circumstances have solved a similar problem, you might find helpful insight in looking at how companies or individuals in other walks of life that have seemingly non-matching characteristics have approached related problems.

This can often help you think outside the box when solving problems creatively. As you look at potential solutions, ask,. State the opposite of the problem to get a different perspective on it. Part of addressing the situation from different directions is to come up with not just one but several solutions.

There are likely to be multiple solutions to any single problem. The first conclusion that comes to mind may not be the best one, but the more you focus, the more solutions you will find.

Allow people time before the meeting to reflect on the problem. This will allow them to come prepared with ideas. Throughout the session, record any suggestions that come up. You can write them on a physical whiteboard so that everyone can see them, or simply jot them down in a digital folder.

Share these notes with attendees post-meeting and assign any follow-up tasks. Reserve judgment until after your brainstorming session is complete. Some ideas may seem ridiculous or impractical, but say them and record them anyway.

The goal is to move beyond existing ideas and look at the problem and possible solutions from every angle. Sometimes, an idea that seems far-flung can begin a conversation and flow of ideas that lead to the best solution.

Defining your end goal will help inspire unique ways you can get there. It can also help to pose the problem as a question and come up with conclusions to that question. Use the examples offered earlier of who, what, when, where, and how questions to get you started.

Now, not all possible solutions you outlined will be a good fit. You should be able to narrow down each method and see which is the most effective for your issue.

Do this by comparing each of the results with the one you believe to be the most ideal. Which one is the best under the current circumstances? What will successfully solve the problem?

Which one will lead to a better outcome in the future? What will prevent further problems? Is there more than one solution that we should apply for the best results? It might take some time to work through each of your potential solutions. Some will quickly weed themselves out. Identify the pros and cons or benefits and costs of each solution to help you determine which one or more is best.

After looking in-depth at the various approaches, decide on the best solution for the situation. Before you jump at the chance to solve your problem with the best-fit solution, consider the repercussions of the solution. Now is the time to jump to worst-case scenarios. What will happen if the solution fails?

Thankfully, you already have a list of alternative solutions that can help you find the right one. Preparing for the worst is not about thinking negatively. Remember, the power of positive thinking will allow you to uncover more solutions.

If you can train your mind to think this way, the more solution-oriented you will become. Instead, thinking through worst-case scenarios is simply being realistic.

This allows you to create a Plan B. Come up with a backup plan. You might move on to the next solution on your shortlist, or you might tweak things and continue working with your 1 idea.

Preparing for the worst allows you to end up with the best possible solution. The next of my 10 problem-solving strategies is to create a timeframe for your solution.

Employers and industry research support the notion that skilled problem solvers are in high-demand. Wanted: Innovative thinkers.

Creative problem-solvers. Disruptive decision-makers. Skip to main content. English العربية 简体中文 繁體中文 Français 日本語 Português Русский Español. Home Log In Login Forgot Password Resend Activation Email Redeem Seat Token. Log Out. Six Steps to Becoming a Better Problem Solver. Problems which will need solutions to solve them.

Problem-Solving: A Step by Step Approach 1. Identify the problem? There is no better starting point than defining what it is that needs to be fixed. Determine the Root Causes Once you have identified what your problem is, you need to figure out why it is. What is behind it? What is causing it? Can it be quantified or qualified.

What is going on at a core level? Find Multiple Solutions Being a good problem-solver means thinking innovatively and that means thinking outside the box.

Find the Solution that will Work Best Easier said than done? Not necessarily. Go about it logically. Answer these questions: Is it technically viable?

Is it scale-able? It is the end of your shift, but you want to let the next shift know that the coolant didn't turn on. You do not see your trainer or supervisor around. You decide to leave a note for the next shift so they are aware of the possible coolant problem.

You write a sticky note and leave it on the monitor of the CNC control system. In this scenario, you discovered several problems with the G-code that need to be addressed. Effective communication is an important tool because it can prevent problems from recurring and avoid injury to personnel.

The challenge of communicating in the workplace is learning how and when to share your ideas and concerns. If you need to tell your co-workers or supervisor that there is a problem, it is important to remember that timing and the method of communication are extremely important.

You are able to fix the coolant problem in the G-code. While you are glad that the problem is fixed, you are worried about why it happened in the first place. It is important to remember that if a problem keeps reappearing, you may not be fixing the right problem.

You may only be addressing the symptoms. You decide to talk to your trainer. Over lunch, you ask your coworkers about the G-code problem and what may be causing the error. Several people mention having similar problems but do not know the cause. You have now talked to three coworkers who have all experienced similar coolant G-code problems.

You make a list of who had the problem, when they had the problem, and what each person told you. When you see your supervisor later that afternoon, you are ready to talk with him. You describe the problem you had with your component and the damaged bit.

You then go on to tell him about talking with Bill and discovering the G-code issue. You show him your notes on your coworkers' coolant issues, and explain that you think there might be a bigger problem.

You supervisor thanks you for your initiative in identifying this problem. It sounds like there is a bigger problem and he will need to investigate the root cause. He decides to call a team huddle to discuss the issue, gather more information, and talk with the team about the importance of communication.

Root cause analysis RCA is a method of problem solving that identifies the underlying causes of an issue. Root cause analysis helps people answer the question of why the problem occurred in the first place.

RCA uses clear cut steps in its associated tools, like the "5 Whys Analysis" and the "Cause and Effect Diagram," to identify the origin of the problem, so that you can:.

RCA works under the idea that systems and events are connected. An action in one area triggers an action in another, and another, and so on. By tracing back these actions, you can discover where the problem started and how it developed into the problem you're now facing.

Root cause analysis can prevent problems from recurring, reduce injury to personnel, reduce rework and scrap, and ultimately, reduce cost and save money.

There are many different RCA techniques available to determine the root cause of a problem. These are just a few:. Communication is a vital part of any setting where people work together. Effective communication helps employees and managers form efficient teams. It builds trusts between employees and management, and reduces unnecessary competition because each employee knows how their part fits in the larger goal.

One tool that management can use to promote communication in the workplace is the huddle. Just like football players on the field, a huddle is a short meeting where everyone is standing in a circle.

A daily team huddle ensures that team members are aware of changes to the schedule, reiterated problems and safety issues, and how their work impacts one another. When done right, huddles create collaboration, communication, and accountability to results.

Impromptu huddles can be used to gather information on a specific issue and get each team member's input. The most important thing to remember about huddles is that they are short, lasting no more than 10 minutes, and their purpose is to communicate and identify.

Who uses huddles? Many industries and companies use daily huddles. At first thought, most people probably think of hospitals and their daily patient update meetings, but lots of managers use daily meetings to engage their employees.

Here are a few examples:. One tool that can be useful in problem solving is brainstorming. Brainstorming is a creativity technique designed to generate a large number of ideas for the solution to a problem. The method was first popularized in by Alex Faickney Osborn in the book Applied Imagination.

The goal is to come up with as many ideas as you can in a fixed amount of time. Although brainstorming is best done in a group, it can be done individually. Like most problem solving techniques, brainstorming is a process. When used during problem solving, brainstorming can offer companies new ways of encouraging staff to think creatively and improve production.

Brainstorming relies on team members' diverse experiences, adding to the richness of ideas explored. This means that you often find better solutions to the problems. Team members often welcome the opportunity to contribute ideas and can provide buy-in for the solution chosen—after all, they are more likely to be committed to an approach if they were involved in its development.

What's more, because brainstorming is fun, it helps team members bond. Communication is one of the most frequent activities we engage in on a day-to-day basis. At some point, we have all felt that we did not effectively communicate an idea as we would have liked. The key to effective communication is preparation.

Rather than attempting to haphazardly improvise something, take a few minutes and think about what you want say and how you will say it. If necessary, write yourself a note with the key points or ideas in the order you want to discuss them.

The notes can act as a reminder or guide when you talk to your supervisor. Not all communication is spoken. Body language is nonverbal communication that includes your posture, your hands and whether you make eye contact. These gestures can be subtle or overt, but most importantly they communicate meaning beyond what is said.

When having a conversation, pay attention to how you stand. A stiff position with arms crossed over your chest may imply that you are being defensive even if your words state otherwise. Shoving your hands in your pockets when speaking could imply that you have something to hide.

Be wary of using too many hand gestures because this could distract listeners from your message. The challenge of communicating in the workplace is learning how and when to share your ideas or concerns.

If you need to tell your supervisor or co-worker about something that is not going well, keep in mind that good timing and good attitude will go a long way toward helping your case. Like all skills, effective communication needs to be practiced.

Toastmasters International is perhaps the best known public speaking organization in the world. Toastmasters is open to anyone who wish to improve their speaking skills and is willing to put in the time and effort to do so.

To learn more, visit Toastmasters International. Communication of problems and issues in any workplace is important, particularly when safety is involved. It is therefore crucial in manufacturing where people are constantly working with heavy, costly, and sometimes dangerous equipment.

As issues and problems arise, they need to be addressed in an efficient and timely manner. Effective communication is an important skill because it can prevent problems from recurring, avoid injury to personnel, reduce rework and scrap, and ultimately, reduce cost and save money.

There are many different ways to communicate: in person, by phone, via email, or written. There is no single method that fits all communication needs, each one has its time and place.

In person: In the workplace, face-to-face meetings should be utilized whenever possible. Being able to see the person you need to speak to face-to-face gives you instant feedback and helps you gauge their response through their body language.

Be careful of getting sidetracked in conversation when you need to communicate a problem. Email: Email has become the communication standard for most businesses. Email is a great way to communicate non-urgent items to large amounts of people or just your team members.

One thing to remember is that most people's inboxes are flooded with emails every day and unless they are hyper vigilant about checking everything, important items could be missed.

For issues that are urgent, especially those around safety, email is not always be the best solution. Phone: Phone calls are more personal and direct than email. They allow us to communicate in real time with another person, no matter where they are. Not only can talking prevent miscommunication, it promotes a two-way dialogue.

However, mobile phone use and the workplace don't always mix. In particular, using mobile phones in a manufacturing setting can lead to a variety of problems, cause distractions, and lead to serious injury. Written: Written communication is appropriate when detailed instructions are required, when something needs to be documented, or when the person is too far away to easily speak with over the phone or in person.

There is no "right" way to communicate, but you should be aware of how and when to use the appropriate form of communication for your situation. When deciding the best way to communicate with a co-worker or manager, put yourself in their shoes, and think about how you would want to learn about the issue.

Also, consider what information you would need to know to better understand the issue. Use your good judgment of the situation and be considerate of your listener's viewpoint. In this exercise, you were given a scenario in which there was a problem with a component you were creating on a CNC machine.

You were then asked how you wanted to proceed. Depending on your path through this exercise, you might have found an easy solution and fixed it yourself, asked for help and worked with your trainer, or discovered an ongoing G-code problem that was bigger than you initially thought.

Communication is an important tool because it can prevent problems from recurring, avoid injury to personnel, reduce rework and scrap, and ultimately, reduce cost, and save money. Although, each path in this exercise ended with a description of a problem solving tool for your toolbox, the first step is always to identify the problem and define the context in which it happened.

There are several strategies that can be used to identify the root cause of a problem. Root cause analysis RCA is a method of problem solving that helps people answer the question of why the problem occurred. Once the underlying cause is identified and the scope of the issue defined, the next step is to explore possible strategies to fix the problem.

If you are not sure how to fix the problem, it is okay to ask for help. Problem solving is a process and a skill that is learned with practice. It is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes and that no one knows everything.

Life is about learning. When you collaborate to solve problems you improve workplace communication and accelerates finding solutions as similar problems arise. One tool that can be useful for generating possible solutions is brainstorming.

Brainstorming is a technique designed to generate a large number of ideas for the solution to a problem. The goal is to come up with as many ideas as you can, in a fixed amount of time. Depending on your path through the exercise, you may have discovered that a couple of your coworkers had experienced similar problems.

This should have been an indicator that there was a larger problem that needed to be addressed. In any workplace, communication of problems and issues especially those that involve safety is always important.

When issues and problems arise, it is important that they be addressed in an efficient and timely manner. Effective communication is an important tool because it can prevent problems from recurring, avoid injury to personnel, reduce rework and scrap, and ultimately, reduce cost and save money.

One strategy for improving communication is the huddle. Just like football players on the field, a huddle is a short meeting with everyone standing in a circle. A daily team huddle is a great way to ensure that team members are aware of changes to the schedule, any problems or safety issues are identified and that team members are aware of how their work impacts one another.

However, everyone is by born a problem solver. But the thing that counts is how efficiently the problem is being solved. The first thing that comes when solving a problem is identifying and defining the problem. Define the problem and make it precise. However, different people have different perspectives on what a problem is, and you should keep it in your mind.

The second step to solving a problem is analysing the problem. It helps you understand the nature of the problem and find the possible ways out. Develop these questions and assign answers to them. This will help you prepare your strategy to solve the problem.

Note that I said solutions, not a solution. In this regard, you have to set a standard with which you will compare the expected outcomes of the potential solutions. After listing down the potential solutions to the problem, your next task is to analyse and evaluate the options.

This will help you determine the most effective and suitable solution to the problem. Now it comes how to evaluate the options. This means asking some questions and comparing the answers for different options. Prepare the answers for each of the options and compare them.

After evaluating all the possible solutions and tailoring the list, you have a concise list of solutions to the problem. Now you have to choose the best solution among these options. Select the solution that is best fitted to the organizational cultures and goals, and meets all the criteria that you set for evaluating the options.

In this case, your experience, courage, and decision-making skills will help you to determine the option.

However, you may consult your peers as it would give you different insights into the situation. After selecting the best-suited solution, make the necessary documentation, and submit to the authority for approval.

So, at first, you have to prepare a detailed work plan putting all the necessary things into it. You have to ensure that every one of your team understands the plan and what are their responsibilities to make the plan fruitful. So, you should communicate well with everyone involved in the plan.

This is important to make a concrete plan. After setting the plan, arrange everything you require and put your solution into action, and wait for the results.

You have to keep track to measure the results and make sure the plan is performing well to solve the problem. Great leaders always keep follow-ups and proper documentation of their actions.

Moreover, it will help you show a scalable and notable outcome of your plan to the authority. Following these seven simple steps will strengthen your problem-solving skills and make you an efficient problem solver in your organization. If you want to explore more and develop your problem-solving skills, it will be better to take training on this.

In this case, you can consider taking online training where you can learn anytime from anywhere, and most importantly, without juggling your regular schedule. So what are you waiting for?

Have a look at this. No more than 50 active courses at any one time. Membership renews after 12 months. When people solve problems quickly and effectively, workplaces can benefit in a number of ways.

These include:. Companies depend on managers who can solve problems adeptly. Although problem-solving is a skill in its own right, a subset of seven skills can help make the process of problem-solving easier.

These include analysis, communication, emotional intelligence, resilience, creativity, adaptability, and teamwork. As a manager , you'll solve each problem by assessing the situation first. Effective communication plays a significant role in problem-solving, particularly when others are involved.

Some skills that can help enhance communication at work include active listening, speaking with an even tone and volume, and supporting verbal information with written communication. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage emotions in any situation.

People with emotional intelligence usually solve problems calmly and systematically, which often yields better results. Emotional intelligence and resilience are closely related traits.

Resiliency is the ability to cope with and bounce back quickly from difficult situations. Those who possess resilience are often capable of accurately interpreting people and situations, which can be incredibly advantageous when difficulties arise.

When brainstorming solutions to problems, creativity can help you to think outside the box. Problem-solving strategies can be enhanced with the application of creative techniques.

You can use creativity to:. Adaptability is the capacity to adjust to change. When a particular solution to an issue doesn't work, an adaptable person can revisit the concern to think up another one without getting frustrated.

Finding a solution to a problem regularly involves working in a team. Good teamwork requires being comfortable working with others and collaborating with them, which can result in better problem-solving overall. Effective problem-solving involves five essential steps. One way to remember them is through the IDEAL model created in by psychology professors John D.

Bransford and Barry S. Stein [ 1 ]. The steps to solving problems in this model include: identifying that there is a problem, defining the goals you hope to achieve, exploring potential solutions, choosing a solution and acting on it, and looking at or evaluating the outcome. To solve a problem, you must first admit that one exists to then find its root cause.

Finding the cause of the problem may involve asking questions like:. Every problem is different. The goals you hope to achieve when problem-solving depend on the scope of the problem. Some examples of goals you might set include:. Once you've defined the goals you hope to achieve when problem-solving , it's time to start the process.

Moreover, it will help you show a scalable and notable outcome of your plan to the authority. Following these seven simple steps will strengthen your problem-solving skills and make you an efficient problem solver in your organization. If you want to explore more and develop your problem-solving skills, it will be better to take training on this.

In this case, you can consider taking online training where you can learn anytime from anywhere, and most importantly, without juggling your regular schedule.

So what are you waiting for? Have a look at this. No more than 50 active courses at any one time. Membership renews after 12 months. Cancel anytime from your account. Certain courses are not included. Can't be used in conjunction with any other offer. Hot Deals. Home Blog 7 Steps to Improve Your Problem Solving Skills 7 Steps to Improve Your Problem Solving Skills.

Explore Problem Solving Skills Training. Step 1: Define The Problem. Step 2: Analyse The Problem. Step 3: Develop Potential Solutions. Step 4: Evaluate The Options. Is the solution easily achievable? How much effort and resources it will take? Does it fit the organizational processes and cultures?

What are the pros and cons of the solution? What is the possible outcome of this solution? Is it well suited to the time and budget? Step 5: Select The Best Option. Step 6: Implement The Solution. Step 7: Measure The Results. Problem Solving Skills. Enrol Now. Learn More.

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October 25, Upgrade to get UNLIMITED ACCESS to ALL COURSES for only £ The goal is to reframe the situations to visualize their cause and effect. To start, identify a UDP. Then, discover what events led to it. Next, identify why the UDP is a problem.

What effect does the UDP have that necessitates changing the status quo? It's helpful to visualize each event in boxes adjacent to one another when answering such questions. The problem story can be extended in either direction, as long as there are additional cause-and-effect relationships.

Once complete, focus on breaking the chains connecting two subsequent events by disrupting the cause-and-effect relationship between them. The alternate worlds tool encourages you to consider how people from different backgrounds would approach similar situations.

For instance, how would someone in hospitality versus manufacturing approach the same problem? This tool isn't intended to instantly solve problems but, rather, to encourage idea generation and creativity.

It's vital to maintain a positive mindset when problem-solving and avoid negative words that interfere with creativity. Positive language prevents quick judgments and overcomes cognitive fixedness. Instead of "no, but," use words like "yes, and. Positive language makes others feel heard and valued rather than shut down.

How could it benefit consumers beyond its intended purpose? While it may not seem essential, this small adjustment can make a big difference in encouraging creativity. Practicing design thinking can make you a more creative problem-solver.

While commonly associated with the workplace, adopting a design thinking mentality can also improve your everyday life.

Here are several ways you can practice design thinking:. Though creativity comes naturally to some, it's an acquired skill for many. Regardless of which category you're in, improving your ability to innovate is a valuable endeavor. Whether you want to bolster your creativity or expand your professional skill set, taking an innovation-based course can enhance your problem-solving.

If you're ready to become a more creative problem-solver, explore Design Thinking and Innovation , one of our online entrepreneurship and innovation courses. If you aren't sure which course is the right fit, download our free course flowchart to determine which best aligns with your goals.

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Email must be formatted correctly. Please complete all required fields. How to Be a More Creative Problem-Solver at Work: 8 Tips. Michael Boyles Author Contributors. Free E-Book: So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur: How to Get Started Access your free e-book today. DOWNLOAD NOW What Is Creative Problem-Solving?

Creative Problem-Solving and Design Thinking Design thinking is a solutions-based mentality that encourages innovation and problem-solving. Ideate: This stage focuses on generating ideas and asking open-ended questions based on observations made during the clarification stage.

Develop: The development stage involves exploring possible solutions based on the ideas you generate.