Downloaded 142 times
More Related Content
Similar to Training on Problem Solving Skills
Training on Problem Solving Skills
- 1. U N IQ U E C O N T R A C T I N G C O . L L C Training on Problem Solving Skills
- 2. Training Objectives Weare here to understand the framework for solving a problem Why Problem Solving Skills are important? What is a Problem? Stages of Problem Solving To help you manage your work in a better way in the future You are encourage to recollect memories from the past where the learning outcomes from this training could have been implemented
- 3. Problem Solving Skills Everybody can benefit from having problem solving skills It would be wonderful to have the ability to solve all problems efficiently Unfortunately though, there is no one way in which all problems can be solved We may be well prepare for problem solving – but there is always an element of the unknown Although planning and structuring will help – good judgment and an element of luck will determine the outcome
- 4. Problem Solving Skills Interpersonal relationships fail and businesses fail because of poor problem solving This is often due to problems not being recognized or being recognized but not being dealt with appropriately Problem solving skills are highly sought after by the employers as they rely on their employees to identify and solve problems Problem solving involves understanding what the underlying issues of the problem are – not the symptoms
- 5. Problem Solving Skills Dealing with a complaint may be seen as a problem that needs to be solved, and it’s almost certainly a good idea to do so The employee dealing with the complaint should be asking what caused the complaint in the first place, if the cause of the complaint can be eliminated then the problem is solved
- 6. Key Skills forProblem Solving In order to be effective at problem solving you are likely to need some other key skills, which include: Creativity Researching Skills Team Work Emotional Intelligence Risk Management Decision Making
- 7. What is aProblem? Definition- “A doubtful or difficult matter requiring a solution.” OR “Something hard to understand or accomplish or deal with.” We are constantly exposed to opportunities in life, at work, at school and at home However, many opportunities are missed or not taken full advantage of Often, we are unsure how to take advantage of an opportunity and create barriers – reasons why we can’t take advantage
- 8. What is aProblem? These barriers can turn a potentially positive situation into a negative one, a problem Are we missing the ‘big problem’? It is human nature to focus on small, easy to solve problems but much harder to work on big problems that may be causing some of the smaller ones
- 9. Questions to beAsked It is useful to consider the following questions when faced with a problem: Is the problem real or perceived? Is this problem really an opportunity? Does the problem need solving?
- 10. Features of Problems– Goals & Barriers All problems have two features in common : Goals and Barriers Goals: Goals can be anything that you wish to achieve, or where you want to be If you are hungry then your goal is probably to eat something If you are a CEO, then your goal is to maximize the profits and this main goal needs to be split into numerous sub-goals
- 11. Features of Problems– Goals & Barriers Barriers – If there were no barriers in the way of achieving a goal, then there would be no problem Problem solving involves overcoming the barriers or obstacles that prevent the immediate achievement of goals
- 12. Features of Problems– Goals & Barriers Examples – If you feel hungry then your goal is to eat. A barrier to this may be that you have no food available – so you should take a trip to the supermarket and buy some food, removing the barrier and thus solving the problem Of course, for the CEO wanting to increase profits there may be many more barriers preventing from the goals from being achieved. The CEO needs to attempt to recognize these barriers and remove them or find other ways to achieve the goals
- 13. Problem Solving Approach Today you will learn the simple and structured approach to problem solving The approach referred to is generally designed for problem solving in an organization or group context, but can also be adapted to work at an individual level Trying to solve a complex problem alone however can be a mistake. The old adage “A Problem shares is problem halved” is sound advice Talking to others about the problem is not only therapeutic but can help you see things from a different point of view, opening up more solutions
- 14. Stages of ProblemSolving Effective problem solving usually involves working through a number of steps or stages: Problem Identification Structuring the Problem Looking for Possible Solutions Making a Decision Implementation Monitoring/Seeking Feedback
- 15. Problem Identification Thisstage involves: detecting and recognizing that there is a problem; identifying the nature of the problem; defining the problem The first phase of problem solving may sound obvious but often requires more thought and analysis Identifying a problem can be a difficult task in itself. Is there a problem at all? What is the nature of the problem, are there in fact numerous problems? How can the problem be best defined?
- 16. Problem Identification Byspending more time defining the problem you will not only understand it more clearly yourself but be able to communicate its nature to others, which leads to the second phase
- 17. Structuring the Problem This stage involves: a period of observation, careful inspection, fact-finding and developing a clear picture of the problem It is all about gaining more information about the problem and increasing understanding This phase is all about fact finding and analysis, building a more comprehensive picture of the goal(s) and the barrier(s) This stage may not be necessary for very simple problems but is essential for problems of a more complex nature
- 18. Looking for PossibleSolutions During this phase you will generate a range of possible courses of action, but with little attempt to evaluate them at this stage From the information gathered in the first two phases of the problem-solving framework it is now time to start thinking about possible solutions to the identified problem In a group situation this stage is often carried out as a brain-storming session, letting each person in the group express their views on possible solutions (or part solutions)
- 19. Looking for PossibleSolutions In organizations different people will have different expertise in different areas and it is useful, therefore, to hear the views of each concerned party
- 20. Making a Decision This stage involves careful analysis of the different possible courses of action and then selecting the best solution for implementation This is perhaps the most complex part of the problem-solving process It is now time to look at each potential solution and carefully analyze it Some solutions may not be possible, due to other problems like time constraints or budgets
- 21. Making a Decision It is also important at his stage to consider what might happen if nothing was done to solve the problem – sometimes trying to solve a problem that leads to many other problems requires some very creative thinking and innovative ideas Finally, make a decision on which course of action to take – decision making is an important skill in itself
- 22. Implementation This stageinvolves accepting and carrying out the chosen course of action Implementation means acting on the chosen solution During implementation more problems may arise especially if identification or structuring of the original problem was not carried out fully
- 23. Monitoring / SeekingFeedback This stage is about reviewing the outcomes of problem solving over a period of time, including seeking feedback as to the success of the outcomes of the chosen solution The final stage of problem solving is concerned with checking that the process was successful This can be achieved by monitoring and gaining feedback from people affected by the changes that occurred It is a good practice to keep a record of outcomes and any additional problems that occurred
- 24. Group Activity toFollow
- 25.