This document discusses problem solving skills and decision making. It outlines the steps of problem solving as defining the problem, generating alternatives, choosing the best alternative, and getting feedback. It describes various problem solving tools and techniques like the 5 whys, cause and effect analysis, and CATWOE analysis. It also discusses decision making factors, steps of decision making as establishing objectives, generating alternatives, choosing an alternative, and taking action. Decision making tools like decision matrices, paired comparison, and decision trees are presented. Overall, the document provides an overview of problem solving and decision making processes, challenges, and analytical methods.
5. What is a problem?
A problem is a situation that needs to be dealt with.
6. Steps of Problem Solving
Defining
the
Problem
Generating
Alternatives
Choosing
the best
alternative
Feedback
7. 1st Defining the
problem
“If I had an hour to solve a problem I'd spend 55 minutes
thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about
solutions.”
-Albert Einstein
8. How to define a problem?
The 5 whys
Cause &
Effect
Analysis
CATWOE
9. The 5 whys tool
It is simply asking
“why” until finding
the real cause of
the problem
10.
11. Benefits of the 5 whys
Simple technique
Flexible
Offers counter measures rather than
causes.
Uncovers the deepest causes of the
problem
13. How to use the tool?
Identify the problem.
Work out the major factors involved.
Identify possible causes for each of the
factors.
Analyze the diagram.
14.
15. The CATWOE analysis
Used to identify what the business is trying to achieve,
what are the problem areas and how is the solution going
to affect the business and people involved in it.
16. Clients
• Who is on the receiving end?
• What problem do they have now?
• How will they react to what you are proposing?
• Who are the winners and losers?
Actors
• Who will carry out the solution?
• What is the impact on them?
• How might they react?
Transformation
• What is the process for transforming inputs into outputs?
• What are the inputs? Where do they come from?
• What are the outputs? Where do they go to?
• What are all the steps in between?
17. World View
• What is the bigger picture?
• What is the real problem you are working on?
• What is the wider impact of any solution?
The Owner
• Can they help you or stop you?
• What would cause them to get in your way?
• What would lead them to help you?
Environmental constraints
• What are the boarder constraints of your idea?
• Resources limit, code of ethics and other constraints.
• What are the effects on your idea, can you bypass them?
22. Problem Solving Process
Using Tools and Techniques to help you more in solving the problem
•Simplex Inquiry
•Appreciative Inquiry
•Soft Systems
Methodology
23. Decision Making Skills
“Perhaps our greatest distinction as a species is our
capacity, unique among animals, to make counter-
evolutionary choices.”
24. Factors that affects decision
making
Uncertainty
Complexity
High-risk consequences
Alternatives
Interpersonal issues
25. Steps of decision making
Creating a
constructive
environment
Generating,
exploring &
choosing
alternatives
Checking &
verifying
decision
Action &
communication
26. Creating a constructive environment
Creating a productive environment for generating alternatives.
35. Choosing the best alternative
It is the step of making the “decision”
“When your values are
clear to you, making
decisions becomes
easier.”
Roy E. Disney
36. Tools & techniques of choosing
Decision
matrix
Paired
comparison
analysis
Decision
Trees
Voting
39. Checking & verifying the choice
It is a crucial step, which involves testing, error finding and applicability of the
choice
40. Taking action
The final step in decision making process, is to communicate the results and take
action, in executing the “solution” to the problem.