The Seven Problem Solving Steps
- 1. The Seven Problem Solving Steps Identify – What is the problem? What do we see? How important is it? Define – Write a correct and succinct problem statement Investigate – What do we know about the problem? Is it really important? Analyze – What are the causes? Solve – What are the solutions Implement – Make the changes Confirm – Did the problem go away?
- 2. Identify Identify problems in the process. Select ONE to work on Tools: Brainstorming/Delphi Analysis Interview customers/suppliers Measurements (Metrics) Histograms, Pareto Diagrams, Fishbone Diagrams, Flow Charts
- 3. Define Define the problem. If it is large, break it down to smaller ones and solve one at a time. Tools Cause and Effect Diagrams Process Analysis Check Sheets Pareto Diagrams
- 4. Investigate Investigate by observation, research and discussion with interested parties. Make no assumptions. Tools: Check Sheets Histograms Pareto Diagrams Run Charts Stratification
- 5. Analyze Analyze the problem. Find ALL of the possible causes, decide which ones are major Brainstorming and Delphi Narrowing Check Sheets Cause and Effect Diagrams Prioritization Matrix Process Analysis Scatter Diagrams
- 6. Solve Solve the problem: Choose from available solutions and select the one that has the greatest benefit for everyone. Get buy-in Tools: Force Field Analsis Analogies Brainstorming Matrix Diagram Management Presentation
- 7. Implement Implement after securing needed buy-ins and material support Complete implementation plan Inform and train all shareholders Get feedback Assemble needed resources Publicize Implement
- 8. Confirm Confirm the results. Accurately collect data and compare to the original state. Document improvement Re-Confirm at specific intervals to insure that the fix worked and the methods are still in place