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The six step method for problem solving... Chris BarnettForward to the six step method for problem solving In the past I’ve always related to problem solving as a purely technical thing, but recently come to realise that it’s really more a state of mind. It’s less of how you fix something that’s broken and more of how you perceive the state of the thing in the first place. Or more technically put although I see the advantages to systematic problem solving I can understand that what’s more important is framing a problem before solving it. Fun creative problem solving activity If you’re interested in a serious philosophical discussion on problem solving then I recommend that you read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig, a great read and also much food for thought. What are the methods of problem solving? I’m quite sure there are many different methods but I prefer the six step method for problem solving because I think it’s the most intuitive method. The six step method for problem solving So here we go, I’m going to list the six steps to creative problem solving and give a (simple) real world example as I go along: 1) Identify the problem This is the step where your state of mind is more important than your understanding of how to solve the problem. Why is it important to frame a problem before solving it? Simply put it saves you time and energy during your problem solving process. For instance if you’re in a sunlit room in the middle of the day then the fact that the light doesn't work isn’t necessarily a problem, however, as the night draws in it goes dark and you can’t see a darn thing. So our problem here isn’t “The light doesn’t work” but more “I can’t see in the dark”! 2) Analyse the problem In our example, our analysis of the problem might then be “It’s dark, I can’t see what I’m doing, I need to fix the light to solve that problem”. We can then further analyse the problem to suggest a root cause, we might make a list like this: - Maybe the electricity has failed - Maybe the light bulb has failed - Maybe the switch is faulty - Maybe the wiring is faulty It’s worth ranking our hypotheses in order of “most likely” simply because it saves time in the rest of the process! 3) Propose potential solutions to the problem For each of our hypotheses in regard to the root cause we can now suggest a potential solution, like this: - Investigate the source of the electricity supply failure - Try a new light bulb - Replace the switch - Repair the wiring 4) Create an action plan for your potential solutions You need to think about how you will implement a test for each of your potential solutions and how you will measure the results of your test. For instance: A test for electricity supply failure - I will check all the other lights in the building - If all the other lights have failed too I will conclude that there has been a power failure and I should implement my solution “investigate the source of the electricity supply failure”. - If the vast majority of the other lights are functioning normally I will conclude that the electricity supply is working and I should move on to my next potential solution. 5) Implement each plan in order of “most likely”. Test for electricity supply failure - I check all the other lights in the building 6) Measure your results. - The vast majority of the other lights are functioning normally. I conclude that the electricity supply is working and I should move on to my next potential solution. There’s really a seventh step where we repeat the above process until we successfully solve our problem. There’s also an eighth step that I recommend which is to assimilate valuable data for the future (lights don't work when bulbs fail etc.) Although you should be wary and never let this assimilated information cloud your judgement of future problems. Have fun, be all that you can be! Chris Barnett, October 2007. |
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Go to the X10D home page. http://www.x10dit.net See other businesses recommended by X10D. http://www.x10dit.net/associates Other articles by Christopher Barnett. http://www.x10dit.net/linkstoarticles.html How to cure your fear of public speaking. http://www.christopherbarnett.co.uk/articles/fearofspeaking.html Great deals on excellent e-books.... http://www.x10dit.net/bookshaker/index.html Property investment guides for the UK and Europe.... http://www.x10dit.net/propertyinvestment/index.html |
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