The document discusses how appreciative inquiry and problem solving approaches can be combined for process improvement. It explores how AI can enhance problem solving by focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses. Problem solving is useful in some cases but can be augmented by AI's positive, strength-based approach. The document proposes an "appreciative problem solving" hybrid method and outlines how the processes of AI and problem solving differ and could be integrated to leverage their benefits for work system innovation.

1. Appreciative Problem Solving
Could the combination of Appreciative Inquiry and
Problem Solving be life-giving?
David Hansen
DTU Management Engineering
Technical University of Denmark

2. What brings life to a strength-based and
innovative work system?
A new challenge for Danish production: Work System Innovation.
Novo Nordisk, one of the most successful Danish companies, are
working with both Lean Production and Appreciative Inquiry. They
have had summits and a shared vision, but struggle with how their
dialogues should be in the daily practice of problem solving?
Affirmative topic choice: Role models for industrial production à
From problem solvers to work system innovators.
What brings life to a strength-based and innovative work system for
optimizing work system innovation?
2 Technical University of Denmark Appreciative Problem Solving at 2012 WAIC

3. Embracable dilemmas:
Exploration vs. Execution
Intuition vs. Analytics
Flexibility vs. Control
More value vs. Remove waste
Innovation vs. Fixing
AI vs. Problem Solving
… is it either or?
Could a combination be fruitful?
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4. Approaches to process improvements
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5. Three approaches to improvements
Expand success
Work system Proactive
improvement development
Solve problem
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6. What can AI bring to Problem Solving?
What can Problem Solving bring to AI?
*Read the conference article for more details
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7. Curiosity for the role of the process itself
Strength-based improvement culture
Energizing What question
Affirmative topics relations would be useful to
ask now?
Positivity
Improvement process
Appreciative eyes
Trust
Social capital Curiosity
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8. The Process of Problem Solving
Why is it caused?
Cause Problem
Solve!
Cause No Problem
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9. The Nature of Problem Solving
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10. The Process of Appreciative Inquiry
What could be?
Topic reframing
Problem Dream
What is the best of what is?
Use strengths
for leverage!
Problem Improvement
10 Technical University of Denmark Appreciative Problem Solving at 2012 WAIC

11. The Nature of Appreciative Inquiry
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12. How would Appreciative Problem Solving look?
Topic reframing
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13. When to use what?
Problem Appreciative Appreciative
Solving Problem Inquiry
Solving
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14. Research Conclusions and further ??
• Appreciative Inquiry can enhance
Problem Solving in many different ways
• Problem Solving is a valid and
useful improvement approach
in some cases
• Grasping the top of the iceberg, what
can be found below the ocean for
Strength-based Lean/Problem Solving?
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15. Discussion for the future journey
Changes in
Chemical
Engineering
Appreciative
Inquiry
Appreciative
Product
Development
15 Technical University of Denmark Appreciative Problem Solving at 2012 WAIC