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Jagpreet
26 July, 2024
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When employers ask about problem-solving skills, ever wondered what they mean by that? Going by the books, they are referring to the ability to handle difficult situations and manage unexpected situations at the workplace. Companies need people who have the ability and potential to take on the challenges without panicking and calmly. Such traits are referred to as problem-solving skills.
Business leaders are often required to find solutions for business problems. There is a process and way to address business problems. So what are those fundamentals of problem-solving? In this blog, we will discuss the eight fundamentals of problem-solving in detail and how they can benefit you. First, let’s start with the basics of problem-solving skills.
Problem-solving skill is often considered a single or separate skill, however, it is a combination of many basic skill sets. It is only by mastering each of them, that you become a capable problem-solver. Some of the key skills are:
Research
Analysis
Active listening
Communication
Creativity
Decision-making
Dependability
Team-building
Problem-solving skills are required in every industry, be it healthcare, engineering or business. Sometimes, you need job-specific skills to solve a problem and sometimes your general presence of mind can solve things.
Define the Problem: To address any issue one must be able to identify the root cause. Everyone associated should have a clear understanding of the problem. This stage can also be referred to as planning stage, when you can understand the problem and outline the future course of action with the team member.
Create a Team: Collaborative efforts are always more effective in business. Therefore, choosing a team plays a vital role in problem-solving. The team should have the expertise and knowledge of the concerned issue to solve it. Assign someone to review the project and its complexity. Select a team leader, prepare guidelines and don’t forget to appreciate your team.
Contain the Problem: Temporarily confining the problem will decrease its effects. In the meantime, you can work on the permanent solution. This step is specifically crucial when product quality and safety are at risk. This confinement should be inexpensive and easy to implement so that you have more time for finding a permanent solution.
Solve the Root Cause: As highlighted above, to clear a problem permanently, you need to know the root cause. Just like when a patient is suffering from an ailment, the doctor will treat the cause of the problem not its symptoms. Similarly, solving the root cause of the problem is what you need.
Test the Solution Hypothesis: Now you know what the problem is, your team is chosen and you have the solution in hand. First test the solution thoroughly before implementing it fully. You can have short-term techniques to test the effectiveness and observe for some time.
Take Corrective Actions: This can be done at different stages. When you are testing the hypothesis, you can make necessary alterations if required. Ultimately, when you have the solution you have to make sure that the team implements the corrective actions. Accordingly, you can withdraw the temporary confinement that you applied for earlier. Your work doesn’t end here, frequently monitor the outcomes of the solution. This stage is a big test for your leadership qualities and business understanding.
Keep the Solution Simple: Keep one thing in mind – your purpose is to solve the problem in the easiest way possible. Thus, the solution must be simple, in fact, you should be able to explain it to the other person in a minute. To achieve this, go for the solution which would solve 75 to 80% of your problem. Because achieving a 100% solution is unlikely to happen and will cause more damage in the meantime.
Consider Timeline: You must have heard your boss say, “Time is money”. Yes, the more time you take, the bigger the loss. Time management should be your priority. This is a test for decision-making skills, time management ability, and wittiness. Also, the solutions that take time to show results are often considered failures. So make sure you are quick and firm in problem-solving.
Problems won’t go away on their own, be it your personal or professional life. If the problem continues to persist, it becomes harder to find the solution and execute it. Apart from the eight fundamentals of problem-solving, there are a few tips and tricks you can follow to become a better problem-solver.
First of all, don’t panic. At a time of a problem do not panic and make hasty decisions.
Do not assume and jump to any conclusion. Even if you are confident about how you feel, ensure that you have facts to support your conclusion.
Break it down. Breaking down a complicated problem will help you find the root cause of the problem and see clearly.
Consider different perspectives. Take opinions from different people like your teammates, clients, suppliers or the person affected by it. You may find a loophole or a catch point that can lead to the solution.
Discuss the possible solutions and ways with your senior or manager or someone you trust. The brainstorming session between you two can give you better ideas. However, stay alert when you do this and do not reveal any confidential information.
Once you have successfully solved your problem, evaluate its outcome and analyse what different you can do the next time. A good problem-solver is one who learns from his mistakes and can calmly handle a situation and manages to keep up the morale of his team.
It is the extended version of plan, do, check and act (PDCA) cycle.
There are various skills which contribute to effective problem-solving such as active listening, research, analysis, time management, team building and positive thinking. The detailed information is given in the blog.
It is the process of identifying the root cause of an issue, formulating the best possible solution and implementing the right corrective steps.
