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Tools & Techniques forIdentifying and Solving
ProblemsRanjit Das
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This session will provide you with an
overview of the problem-solving processand introduce various tools andtechniques available to aid the process.
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There are four stages in the problem-solving process: Defining the Problem
Generating Ideas for Possible Solutions Evaluating those ideas
Implementing the Chosen Solution
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Defining the
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Problem
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Stage 1 - Problem Identification
Time is needed for a thorough discussion
of the problem and to ensure that thedescription of the problem is appropriate.
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,that it is quite different from what theyoriginally thought
All the group members need to agree toa statement of the problem as they see it
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How to statements
The problem owner summarises theproblem by writing a description of what
the wish to achieve usin a how to or
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how can we statement
I wish statements
The problem owner writes a list of theirwishes for overcoming the problem
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My concerns are The problem owner lists the concerns that
are likely to constrain the problem beingovercome
Problem checklist Team members question the problem owner
regarding the background to the problem,
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where, when,why & how Other Peoples definitions
Team members ask the owner of the
problem questions about the nature of theproblem and summarise the problem for theproblem owner
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Mind mapping
The problem owner maps out the problemdiagrammatically in a way which makes
sense to them.
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Cause & consequence maps
The problem owner maps out the why -
the causes of a problem - and the sowhats - the consequences of aparticular problem
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GenerationE:[email protected]
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Stage 2 - Idea Generation
There are a variety of techniques that
can be used to generate ideas andplans.
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-process it is the quantity of ideas whichare important, NOT their quality - their
potential as solutions will be tested atthe next stage of the process
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Brainstorming Listing all the ideas you can think of to solve a
problem, however crazy or valueless these
may appear. It is the quantity of ideas whichare important and ideas should not beevaluated or judged at this stage
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Random association
Writing down words at random and relatingthese words directly back to the problem. Thiswill often put the original topic in a new light
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Reverse Brainstorming
Changing the nature of the problem byreversing its sense to come up with innovative
solutions
Checklist
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all possible approaches to the problem
Attributes
Listing the attributes of a product, situation orservice and deciding how these can bechanged to find a new angle to a problem
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Stage 3 - Evaluation
The large number of options and ideas
are reduced to a shortlist andagreement is reached on the most
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Clustering
Grouping the ideas generated forsolutions to a problem into clusters to
classif or re rou related areas
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? W
Evaluating ideas by placing for good
ideas, ? for doubtful ideas and W for weird
or crazy ideas which may have somepotential
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Top ideas
Each team member is asked to indicate
their top five ideas. The ideas mentionedmost often are then shortlisted
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Each team member is allocated a set of
three stars. The can award all stars to oneidea or one or more stars to different ideas.
The idea with the most stars is the oneselected to be implemented
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Stage 4 - Implementation The final stage focuses on how the
selected ideas can be put into practice What action needs to be taken
Who will undertake the action
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When the action is to be taken
How the action will be taken
Everyone should be involved in thedevelopment of an implementation plan
- engenders ownership and commitment
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Build understanding of:
Any Questions?