Problem solving techniques - why winners see fixing problems as a failure

This page connects problem solving techniques, including brainstorming techniques, with change management tools and types of decision making because all three elements are necessary to achieve permanent solutions that prevent recurring problems.

To clarify this, we need to cover some fundamentals, starting with a definition of problem solving:

To use problem solving techniques effectively, the first question has to be, what is problem solving? - how would you define a “problem”?

In the context of this website and my e-book, "My Future,My Choice", a problem can be thought of as, “a deviation from what should be happening”.

So, as long as what is actually happening is what should be happening, no problem. No decisions or changes are needed.

Let’s suppose something deviates from what should be happening. Now you have a problem.

Once you’ve got a problem, what’s the best way of solving it?

Well, you could start with some basic problem solving techniques, such as:

* thinking of solutions

* or you could try trial and error

* or you could ask, “what did we do last time this happened” (if it has happened before)

* or, you could do what tends to happen most frequently, which is - you could just fix it.

That is, put the deviation back on track as quickly as you can and carry on.

This is the fast response but, in many ways, it is the worst response.

It is usually bad news (as are all the other problem solving techniques listed above).

Why?

Because all the conditions that caused the deviation to occur in the first place are still there, unchanged.

So no change or permanent solutions have been achieved.

So, guess what?

The problem will be back again at some time in the future.

And, if that keeps happening, the going will get tough and you may need some stress management techniques to help overcome the resulting frustration of dealing with recurring problems.

Fixing the problem has not solved it, because it can't.

To solve the problem, which is what you want to do to be in control and deliver success, will mean that you need to do the following two key things:

1. find out what caused the deviation to occur in the first place (e.g. something changed, what and how and why?)

2. decide to change something so that those causal conditions cannot re-occur and, therefore, neither can the problem

The solution to the problem is not to do what you did last time it happened (that was obviously just a fix, otherwise the problem would not have come back, so what’s the point of doing the same fix again? Clearly, no double loop learning occurred).

The last time it happened should have been the last time it happened.

That is the ultimate aim of using problem solving techniques.

The solution to the problem can only be found when the causes of the deviation are understood and it is clear what to change so that the same conditions and causes cannot re-occur - the decisions and changes made will prevent the same problem returning.

The 8 step model described by clicking this link is well tried, business tested and available for you to use or modify.

It will help you to think beyond the superficial, using positive and "negative thinking" and left and right brain thinking.

In addition, there are some key problem solving techniques to use as part of the 8 step model. For example:

* brainstorming techniques

* 5 Whys

* cause and effect analysis

* critical examination

Finally, two key points:

1. problem solving always requires decision making (e.g. of alternative solutions or changes), often of both the left brain type and the right brain type.

2. problem solving always requires change (e.g. of the conditions that caused the problem and of things that will create the solution).