Problem Solving

Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip 23 June 2021
What are Problems?
PROBLEMS are:
Purposeful
Roadblocks
Offering
Beneficial
Lessons to
Enhance
Mental
Strength

What is Problem Solving?
Problem Solving is the
process of working
through details of a
problem to reach a
solution which may
include mathematical or
systematic operations and
can be a gauge of an
individual's critical
thinking skills

Why Problem Solving?
 Much of what Leaders do is solve
problems
 Whether you're solving an internal
or external problem, supporting
those who are solving problems,
or discovering new problems to
solve, the problems you face can
be large or small, simple or
complex, and easy or difficult
 Being a confident problem solver
is really important to your success
as a Leader

Become a problem solver at work and you will
become an indispensable member of your team
and organization

If a problem can be solved, no need
to worry about it
If a problem cannot be solved
what is the use of worrying?

Why organizations seek problem solvers?
Employers value people who can handle minor
irritations and major problems that are a part of
every business
 What do you do when a customer comes
to you with a problem or complaint?
 Can you help when your team runs into
production or service problems?
 Can you help save your company from
losing its business?
You will move faster and higher up the ladder of
success if you are an effective problem solver

Why problems are not solved?
Not my problem
1
Not my fault
2
Not my responsibility
3
Cannot handle difficult problems
4
Slow to take action
5
Tell customer to ask somebody else
6
Generates only one solution to a problem
7
Not persistent in problem solving
8

3Fs in Problem Solving
Whenever a problem arises, do 3 things
FACE IT
1
FIGHT IT
2
FINISH IT
3

Creativity in Problem Solving
 Creative problem solvers treat all
problems as if they were their own
 Creative problem solvers have
creative and flexible minds to solve
problems that are not straightforward
 Creative problem solvers are curious
people with a can-do attitudes
The best tool you have at your disposal for solving
problems is YOUR MIND
Problem solving begins with clear thinking -
scientific and creative

 There was a father who left 17 properties of equal value for his 3
sons
 When the father passed away, his sons opened up the Will
 The father’s Will stated that the eldest son should get 1/2 (half)
of total properties, the middle son should be given 1/3rd (one-
third) and the youngest son should be given 1/9th (one-ninth) of
the total properties
 As it was not possible to divide 17 by half, or 17 by 3, or 17 by 9,
the three sons started to fight with each other
Can you solve the problem for them
How do you solve the problem?

6-Step Creative Problem Solving Model
6-STEP
PROBLEM
SOLVING
MODEL
IDENTIFY
the
Problem
1
ANALYZE
the
Problem
2
GENERATE
Potential
Solutions
3
SELECT
the
Solution
4
IMPLEMENT
the
Solution
5
EVALUATE
the
Solution
6

1. What is the problem to be solved?
2. Collect as much information and
facts you can about the extent and
nature of the problem
3. Write a problem statement that
includes an "as is" statement and
the “required/desired” state - e.g.
The processing time for 20% of
our car loans is more than 3 days
instead of the required 2 days
IDENTIFY the Problem
1

1. Identify potential causes of the problem
2. Collect data about potential causes
3. Asking "why" repeatedly directs the
focus toward real causes so problems
can be solved permanently
4. It is critical to get input from other
people who notice the problem and
who are effected by it
5. Use data collected to select the most
likely significant cause(s)
ANALYZE the Problem
2

1. Search for potential solutions
2. Start search with a review of the
problem statement, data and the
most likely significant cause
3. List all the possible solutions
4. Brainstorm for solutions to the
problem with all parties involved
5. Clarify the potential solutions to
problem solving team
GENERATE Potential Solutions
3

1. Decide which solution has the best chance of solving
the problem
SELECT the Solution
4
2. Consider:
a) Which solution is most likely to solve
the problem for the long term?
b) Which solution is the most realistic
to accomplish for now?
c) What resources are required?
d) Do you have the budget?
e) Do you have enough time to
implement
f) What are the risks involved?

1. Plan the process on how the
problem will be solved
2. Plan should include a strategy for
gaining commitment to the plan,
contingency plans and how to
measure the success
3. Seek approval, if necessary
4. Communicate the plan to those who
will be involved in implementing it
5. Implement the plan to resolve the
problem
IMPLEMENT the Solution
5

1. Monitor implementation of
the plan
2. Verify if the problem has
been resolved
3. You should consider what
changes should be made to
avoid this type of problem
in the future
4. Check to see if the solution
created any new problem
EVALUATE the Solution
6

ACTION
Strategies,
Techniques, Tactics
RESULT
Outcomes,
Consequences
QUESTIONING
Asks Why - Beliefs,
Assumptions
SINGLE LOOP LEARNING
Problem Solving
- React, decide & do
DOUBLE LOOP LEARNING
More than Problem Solving - reflect,
reevaluate, obtain feedback, reconsider
goal, objective, values
SINGLE LOOP LEARNING : Doing things right
DOUBLE LOOP LEARNING : Doing the right things
Double Loop Learning

Overcoming Obstacles to Problem Solving
Functional Fixedness
1
 Functional Fixedness is the
tendency to view problems
only in their customary
manner
 You see problems from a
narrow spectrum
 You do not see the different
options or alternatives that
are available to find a
solution

Irrelevant or Misleading Information
2
 It is important to distinguish
between information that is relevant
to the problem and irrelevant data
that can lead to faulty solutions
 When a problem is very complex, it
is easy to focus on misleading or
irrelevant information
 You must be able to determine what information is
factual and important to find the best solution

Assumptions
3
 Making assumptions is sometimes
needed to simplify the problem and
make it more manageable by
providing fewer things to consider
and solve
 Be careful not to make the wrong
assumptions
 People often make assumptions
about the constraints and obstacles
that prevent certain solutions

Mental Set
4
 Mental Set is the tendency
people have to only use solutions
that have worked in the past
rather than looking for alternative
ideas
 A mental set can be a useful
problem-solving tool
 However, mental sets can also
lead to inflexibility, making it more
difficult to find effective solutions

Problem Solving Tool
1
IDENTIFY
the problem
2
ANALYZE
the problem
3
GENERATE
Potential Solutions
4
SELECT
the Solution
5
IMPLEMENT
the solution
6
EVALUATE
the solution

Individual Learning Project
1. Select a problem that
you are facing in your
work
2. Use the 6-Step Creative
Problem Solving Tool to
resolve the problem
3. Present your report

Thank You
Contact :
yewyip@gmail.com
for PowerPoint file

Problem Solving

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