Problem solving

Problem Solving
Best Practices

Rules are Rules
• If u faced with a “Do” part ,
either imagine or read case,
please do it .
• If u heard a music do not
interrupt it talking ,its part of
the session and it meant to add
a value to the subject .

Problem solving

• a 10-years-old boy who decided to study
judo despite the fact that he had lost his left
arm in a devastating car accident.
• The boy began lessons with an old Japanese
judo master , but in all of the lessons, he
learned only one move . the boy was not only
doing good, but wining battles as well ,the
thing made him wondering and seek for
clarifications from his master.
• the master answered. “First, you‟ve almost
mastered one of the most difficult throws in
all of judo. And second, the only known
defense for that move is for your opponent to
grip your left arm.”

Problem solving

What is the point

Problem solving

• We don’t have the same
reading speed, it's a skill ,
problem solving is a skill to !

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Rules are Rules

• Make no preconceptions or
prejudices ,it‟s a skill not a
knowledge ,but still it‟s a fact that
knowing the thing is a starting
point to master and gain the skill.

Problem solving

Outline
• What is a Problem .

• What is Problem Solving.

• Problem Solving in Steps.

• Tools .

• Tips.
Problem solving

What is a Problem

Problem solving

A problem
• a problem is a situation which
should concern somebody.

• It refers to a situation,
condition, or issue which
makes it difficult to achieve a
desired goal, objective or
purpose.
Problem solving

• "under the gun“ problems
stress and very short time, Sometimes its an
urgent sudden event where a decision or an
action needs to be taken .

• a significant difference between what actually is
and what is desired.

• a problem exists when an individual becomes
aware of such a difference.

• a problem is a sometimes a puzzle ,a target
once achieved ,an intellectual satisfaction is
Problem solving obtained .

• Problems are unresolved state of
uncertainty and conflicts.
• Decision to make.
• Problem simply could be
emotions ,A very worrisome
situation for you, may not be
considered a problem for others.

Problem solving

Why Problem
Solving

Problem solving

Problem Solving

• Problems can be elusive “hard to be
described or grasped ” ,very unique or
related to emotions . in such cases a
dedicated tools need to be utilized
and a systematic approach should be
conducted where the usual way of
thinking is simply not enough .

Problem solving

What is Problem
Solving

Problem solving

• Problem solving is a tool, a skill and a
process.
• It is a tool because it can help you
solve an immediate problem or to
achieve a goal.
• It is a skill because once you have
learnt it you can use it repeatedly.
• It is also a process because it involves
taking a number of steps, as follows.

Problem solving

Problem Solving in
Steps

Problem solving

Step 1
Define the problem
Assessing the problem in terms of
 Magnitude “Size” and scope
 Urgency Vs Importance
 Impact

Problem solving

Problem Magnitude
• a problem is so big and
overwhelming that you don‟t know
where to start in such a case you have
to break it down into smaller workable
problems and attack each small
problem first.

Problem solving

• The Drill Down Tool.
• The Divide and Concur approach .
• DO Imagine :
The teller example .
• Tips:
• Don‟t think of two things at a
time .
• “get it out of your head to your
hands “.
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"important" VS
"urgent" problems.
• Important problems deserve more
attention and priority than urgent
problems, but some times we got
confused .
• example, when continually replay
to "urgent" emails but deferring
other important ones .

Problem solving

A Good Practice
• Describe the problem for others to reach
the oops moment ,It's all about What you can
explain, you understand.
• Write down the problem in a clear and
concise statement.
• also write a goal statement that focuses on
what is the successful end of the process.
Why ?
• to see the gap between the problem and the
goal.
• This whole process is about closing or fixing the
gap between the problem and the goal.

Problem solving

Step 2
Analyze the problem “a mental picture
”
• to understand any situation, we must
develop a clear mental picture of the series
of causes that produced it.
• see what is the real bottom line root
cause.
• Often people get caught up in effects of a
problem and never get down to the real
cause.
• The 5 Whys Tool. Starting from an outsider
effect.

Problem solving

• Analyzing means gathering new information
and investigating the available .

• Start from a fact and, DIFFERENTIATE THE
FACTS FROM THE INTERPRETATIONS!
• The Appreciation tool .

Problem solving

• After this investigation, it is often
good to go back one step to
reconfirm that your problem
definition is still valid.
• Frequently after the investigation
people discover that the problem
they really want to answer is very
different from their original
interpretation of it.
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Step 3
• Identify alternatives that’ll
resolve the problem

Problem solving

• If you 'relocked in that dirty dark
room I guess you‟ll be happier if
you had 50 keys than having one ,
what if that the only key you had
did not open the door !

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• Brainstorm for having multiple
solutions for the problem.
• collecting as many ideas as possible.
• Experience from previous similar
problems as well as taking others
opinions increase your alternatives .

Problem solving

• It's critical when collecting the ideas :
• not to evaluate the ideas, just write
them all down .
• you should not pre-judge or have any
emotions (Egos, uncomfortable )
regarding any potential solutions .
• treat each idea as a new idea in its own
right and worthy of consideration.
• it's useful to keep others involved (unless
you're facing a personal problem).

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On the fly :
• Many sophisticated books handle the power of
generating new ideas ,most of them regards
the power of focus ,and the brain power
,thinking process and simplicity ..
• Concentration :
Distraction reasons are unique for each
person ,so self-observation is crucial What
distracts each of us, or doesn't, is personal and
somewhat unique. find them and get rid of
them.
• Boosting your brain power:
 Take three deep breaths.
 Sit up straight.
 Breath with your mouth closed.
 Walk for ten minutes.
 Think about something you love

Problem solving

Step 4
Select an approach to resolve the problem
• Eliminating process : considering the pro's and
con's in a list for the alternatives.
• no problem solution is perfect, compromising .
• Select the solution that is an extreme ,in terms
of :
 Feasible :doable with the available
expertise, time…
 Suitable :solve the problem ,reach
expectations and goals .
 Flexible: for future change ,unintended
consequences or openness to new
Problem solving
possibilities

Step 5
Plan and implement the best
alternative
• While doing so you should watch the
progress in solving the problem ,and
monitor indicators of success.

Problem solving

Step 6
Evaluate the Solution
• Did the solution work?
• If not step back because this means one of
two things
 either that the alternative were not
enough or accurate ,
 or that the problem was not identified
correctly .
• Whether or not you achieved your goals,
it is important to consider what you have
learned from your experience.

Problem solving

Problem Solving Skill
• You get better at solving problems
by trying to do so, and you often
learn your best by doing your worst.
• a skill is mastered by practicing it .
• Habits are buildable ,it take couple
of weeks to build your own habits

Problem solving

Problem Solvers
• Mainly in tow general Styles:
• INNOVATORS:
– Intuition and Feeling
• ADAPTORS:
– Logic and Analysis

Problem solving

• Adaptors seek solutions in tried and
accepted ways…
– Focused on resolving problems
– Rarely challenge .
• Innovators seek solutions in
creative ways…
– Question current practice and
promote change
• Organizations in stable steady
state of maintenance may not
prefer innovators!

• There is no preferred style , the
situation determines the need .

Problem solving

Tools
• Emphasizing the golden rule saying
that „if you can explain it then you
know it“, most of the simple
techniques and tools used in
problem solving relies on asking
yourself a particular question
repeatedly ,in addition to gathering
and investigating information .

Problem solving

Tools
• Drill Down
breaking complex problems down into
progressively smaller parts.
• Sample
• How to Use the Tool:
• write the problem down on the left-hand side
of a large sheet of paper.
• write down the next level of detail on the
problem(factors contributing to the problem,
information relating to it, or questions raised
by it )a little to the right of this.
• repeat the process. Keep on drilling down into
points until you fully understand the factors
contributing to the problem.
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Importance of the Drill Down :
• Breaking problem into a smaller ones.
• In case you have no further info to drill
down it shows you which points you
need to research in more detail.
• recognize and understand the factors
that contribute to a problem ,by
prompts you to link in information
that you had not initially associated
with a problem.

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Tools
The 5 Whys Tool:
• Quickly Getting to the Root of a Problem
• Made popular in the 1970s by the Toyota
Production System.
• How to use it :
• start at the end result “effect” and work
backward (toward the root cause),
continually asking: "Why?" This will need
to be repeated over and over until the
root cause of the problem becomes
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apparent.

• Can lead to causes in hidden levels.
• Too Simple :
• the more complex things get, the
more likely it is to lead you down a
false trail. if it doesn't quickly give
you an answer that's obviously
right, then you may need more
sophisticated technique.
• Example: The unpleasant client.

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Tools
• The Appreciation tool:
• Asking 'so what?' repeatedly helps
you to extract all important
information implied by a fact.

• Appreciation is a technique used
by military planners, usually to
know the implication of each step.

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Sample :
Fact: It rained heavily last night
So What?
 The ground will be wet
So What?
 – It will turn into mud quickly
So What?
 If many troops and vehicles pass over the
same ground, movement will be
progressively slower.
So What?
 a search for paved roads should be added
to the plan ,or otherwise the scheduled
movement probably would be postponed.
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Tips
• Do something else that „ll relax your brain
and get back to it later with a fresh mind
and eye .
• talk about it to somebody .
• Don't worry about solving the whole
problem while implementing. Start with
what you know and keep it simple to
begin with.
• consult with others, Google, Google, Google

• Don't go for the first solution you got, be
armed with alternatives.
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• Most of the time it takes longer to solve
the problem though dedicated - stressed
- work than it does by taking a break, so
divide the solution into multi steps and
take a break or drink something in
between .
• Sketch the problem using so many color
pencils to motivate the brain when solve
a problem.

3/16/2012

Problem solving

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