Develop your problem-solving skills

Types of “problems”

When we talk about problem-solving, we cover more than reacting to an urgent critical issue. It is important to understand that these techniques can be applied in a range of situations. For example:

• Fixing things that are broken
• Managing risk
• Improving performance
• Seizing opportunities

Step 1

Understand

First, you need to understand the problem.

This includes concepts such as what, where, when, who, how, which, why, whom, and requires active listening, emotional intelligence, analysis, research, and specific tools and methods.

Step 2

Reframe

There’s nothing more dangerous than the right answer to the wrong question. There is a way to do better. The key is reframing, a crucial, underutilized skill that we can help you master, based on a multi-step structured process. It’s the path to better, cheaper, faster solutions.

Step 3

Ideate

Often, when solving a problem or developing a product, we jump in with our first idea. We help you ideate many options without falling into the pitfalls of standard brainstorming techniques.

Step 4

Decide

This is sometimes the hardest step. Deciding is risky. Never-ending analysis and discussions can be a sign of decisional paralysis. Know when it is time to decide. And build a culture accepting mistakes and failures.

Step 5

Communicate

Communicating is essential. Depending on the “problem”, communication can take very different forms. An apology to a customer, a motivational speech to your team, an updated procedure, a press release, …

Step 6

Act

Central to solving the problem is actually doing what is decided. 

Step 7

Analyse

Analysis serves several objectives: did the action solve the problem? was it the optimal solution? what did we learn? what next?

Iterate

One of the keys to problem-solving is iteration. Often, spending too much time making the plan perfect, being completely sure, is counterproductive. Decide small and often, act and evaluate, rinse and repeat.