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7 Problem Solving Steps - in a Minute

These 7 problem solving steps provide a short outline of a process to ensure you solve problems effectively. A structured process helps ensure you stay on track with what you need to do to solve a problem.

"Do not focus on finding an answer: focus on defining the question" Peter Drucker

Part of our manage in a minute series, you can read this article to gain a quick overview of what needs to be in place for effective problem solving. We end the article with 2 principles that perhaps aren't applied often enough when we set out to solve a problem. You may also want to read our problem solving questions article which raises 5 challenging and provoking questions based on this 7 step problem solving process.

1 Find the Right Problems to Solve.
Too often our approach to problem solving is reactive, we wait for the problems to arise. Firstly in our 7 problem solving steps, we advocate taking a proactive approach, go and find problems to solve; important and valuable problems. The real starting point then for any problem solving process is to find the right problem to solve.

2 Define the Problem
It is very tempting to gloss over this step and move to analysis and solutions. However, like the first step, it is one of the secrets of effective problem solving. Combining problems that are valuable to solve, with defining exactly what you are trying to solve, can dramatically improve the effectiveness of the problem solving process. The secret to defining the problem, is really about attitude. Try to see every problem as an opportunity.

3 Analyse the Problem
Analysis is a process of discovery of the facts, finding out what you know about the situation. In doing so you are breaking down complexity, stripping away the superficial and getting to the causes/issues.

4 Develop Opportunities
There are always more than one way to solve a problem, so take time to develop plenty of creative possibilities to solve the problem.

5 Select the Best Solution
Selecting is about making choices, about deciding. To do this you need to weigh up the competing value and risk of the different options you generated in the previous step.

6 Implement
Good solutions are often only as good as the way they are implemented. Implementation requires project management and a determination to deliver the outcomes essential to solving the problem you originally defined.

7 Evaluate and Learn
You will have done some things really well through this seven step problem solving process. It would be all too easy to forget them in rushing to solve the next problem, or to implement the solution. You should evaluate at least two areas:

How you carried out the seven step problem solving process

The effectiveness of the solution you implemented. Did it deliver the outcomes you expected?

7 Steps, 2 Principles

This process provides a challenge to problem solving techniques and highlights the undervalued problem solving skill of ensuring you apply two under used principles at the start of the process:

Find the right problems to solve,

and

Focus on what opportunities are created by the problem.

You may want to read in more detail about the 7 problem solving steps outlined in this article, you can find a more comprehensive explanation and links to a wide range of tools to help you solve problems in our article Seven Step Problem Solving Process

Still pressed for time? Follow this link for the full list of Manage in a Minute pages.

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