6 approaches to problem solving how does your

Problem Solving abilities impacts
Personal success in life,
Success as a team, and
The success of your business.
Effective problem solving offers an opportunity to move forward, rather than mitigate a setback. 
Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of team as they relate to problem solving create a competitive advantage for organization.

1. Approaches to Problem Solving- How Does Your Mind Work? Ref-Lisa Woods in Professional Development Compiled by Col Mukteshwar Prasad( Retd ), Mtech (IITD),CE(I),FIE(I), FIETE,FISLE,FInstOD,AMCSI Contact -9007224278, e-mail –[email protected] for book ”Decoding Services Selection Board” and SSB guidance and training at Shivnandani Edu and Defence Academy

2. 6 Approaches to Problem Solving- How Does Your Mind Work? Problem Solving abilities impacts Personal success in life, Success as a team, and The success of your business. Effective problem solving offers an opportunity to move forward, rather than mitigate a setback.  Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of team as they relate to problem solving create a competitive advantage for organization.

3. Six Common Approaches to Problem Solving: 1:  Analytical Problem Solving An analytical thinker has the ability to Get into the detail of a problem, Evaluate all components & perspectives to understand it and Determine what’s missing.  Analytical thinkers Ask questions to fill in any gaps to foresee next steps.  Have confidence in their ability and make assumptions & decisions because of their constructive fact finding process.  Although their assumptions are credible & decisions well supported, yet May not move quickly to a solution in absence of all the facts.  Fact-finding process takes time, May not offer any opinions unless specifically asked. 

4. Six Common Approaches to Problem Solving: 2:  Logical Problem Solving   A logical thinker has the ability to Continuously collect detail and put it into sequence, To see the big picture & Evaluate where the problem exists and why.   Using historical data, they infer solutions based on similar earlier situations.  If this worked before it may work again In the absence of past similar situation may apply adjacent situation (Best fit) to arrive at new solution  3: Rational Problem Solving   A rational problem solver has the ability to Take information that is available & Make assumptions based on that information, Deduce the most optimal solution based on his personal perspective  His personal perspective may not match with other’s perspective  

5. Six Common Approaches to Problem Solving: 4: Absolute Problem Solving   An absolute problem solver has the ability to see A problem as black or white and A solution as right or wrong.  They try to find that solution by seeking an authoritative source that can confirm the answer.  They often have difficulty moving past a problem without affirmation that they are moving forward with an accepted approach.  They infer a solution that worked elsewhere must work in a parallel situation. 

6. Six Common Approaches to Problem Solving: 5: Creative Problem Solving   A creative problem solver has the ability to Envision several outcomes, Make assumptions as to achieve an outcome & Willing to take risks because they have confidence in their own judgment.  Creative thinkers start from scratch and are not limited by steps or processes; They create unique paths and new solutions.  The limitation of creative problem solving is There is no limit to the creative process.  Struggle for deadline / budget constraint etc. Because they have difficulty focusing and can lose sight of more obvious solutions. 

7. Six Common Approaches to Problem Solving: 6: Positive Problem Solving   A positive problem solver has the ability To compartmentalize a problem as an individual event and Seek solutions with an open mind.  Predict improvement and are more open to finding ways of achieving it They are not restricted by fears or past results They hook on opportunities to improve and collaborate.  They may not hold situations or individuals accountable when they are required to do so thus Problems reoccur several times before solutions are put in place because they are not pragmatic enough to solve the issues.  By understanding the different paths, you can open the door to the best problem solving technique for a given situation.  Team Problem Solving Strategy Chances are that you may have more than one type of problem solver in your team Challenge is to cultivate these talents and make them into a competitive advantage ( ability to solve problems quickly, creatively and successfully )

8. Steps to Make Team’s Problem Solving Strategy a Competitive Advantage   1. Align yourself, and each of your team members with one of the 6 problem solving STRENGTHS:   Ability to get into the detail of a problem and evaluate all components & perspectives to understand it and determine what’s missing.   Ability to continuously collect detail and put it into sequence, see the big picture, evaluate where the problem exists and why.  Ability to take information that is available and make assumptions based on that information, deducting the most optimal solution based on personal perspective.  Ability to see a problem as black or white and a solution as right or wrong by seeking authoritative approval & consensus.  Ability to envision several outcomes, make assumptions as to what needs to be done to achieve an outcome & is willing to take risks because they have confidence in their own judgment.   Ability to compartmentalize a problem as an individual event and seek solutions with an open mind.  

9. Steps to Make Team’s Problem Solving Strategy a Competitive Advantage   2.Take the same approach to align yourself and your team with one or more of the 6 problem solving WEAKNESSES:   Difficulty moving quickly enough to a solution without all the facts.  Difficulty developing a unique solution when comparative situations from the past do not exist.  Difficulty seeing things from perspectives other than their own.  Difficulty making decisions to move past a problem, without affirmation that they are moving forward with an accepted approach.  Difficulty focusing when faced with a deadline or budget constraint, losing sight of more obvious solutions.  Difficulty being pragmatic enough to solve the issues, allowing problems to reoccur several times before a solution is put in place. 

10. Steps to Make Team’s Problem Solving Strategy a Competitive Advantage   3.Discuss the Problem Solving Evaluation Process, Strengths & Weaknesses with your team as a whole, as well as the Individual Evaluation with each team member one-on-one.   Train your team on problem solving mindsets, making it an open discussion amongst them.  Work with each individual to overcome their weaknesses by leaning on other team members who can use their strengths to assist.   Sharing conclusion with the team depends on you and situation Team members may also decide to share the information on their own.  4.Now you are now ready to tackle your next business problem!   Once a problem is identified- Assign the problem to one team member to lead the solution process based on their strengths.  Assign other team members as support based on leader’s weaknesses.  Team approach will get the best, most competitive solution faster.