The manager today must have the ability to solve problems quickly, confidently and effectively. The problem-solving manager must also be creative, open minded and non-judgmental, gaining consensus on the problem itself and any proposed solution. A suitably disciplined approach to a problem-solving model that incorporates all variable and relevant factors is vital. Only when these and the human elements of a problem have been researched can a decision be made and a solution implemented.
This course teaches delegates problem solving and decision making methodology, providing practical guidance using case studies, and ensuring that the skills learned can be immediately transferred to the workplace.
Course Objectives
- Apply a six-stage problem-solving model for an organized approach to a problem.
- Use problem solving and creative thinking techniques to improve your ability to define objectives, solutions and key areas of concern.
- Generate and analyze data to ascertain hypotheses, cost benefit, value, ratio trends, probability and risk.
- Make more effective use of your creative thinking skills to exploit external and internal information resources for potentially effective solutions.
- Exploit the skills and experience of staff for a wider appreciation of the problem and lead brainstorming sessions for cross-fertilization of ideas, choices and judgments.
- Gain commitment and harness available skills and talents to assist with solution implementation.
- Write a detailed report of implementation plans that include the key questions of: problem and solution choice, resource requirements, time frames, budget implications, roles, responsibilities and measurements
Who Should Attend:
Managers, project leaders and professionals who need to develop practical skills and alternative approaches to problem solving, working with others to implement the solutions.
Course Content:
What’s The Problem?!! In the real world, what do you do if you… ?
- Get caught not knowing which way to turn.
- Find poor work quality that gets worse and worse.
- Run into conflicts which simply won’t resolve.
- Find problems which recur regularly no matter what you do?
Problem Analysis
- The Iceberg Theory
- Fact Finding Techniques
- Contrasting the Existing with the Ideal
- Problem Definition Methods
- Distinguishing Source from Symptoms
- Identifying Root Causes
- Dissolving Tunnel-Vision Blinders
- Solution Decision-Making
The Creative Thinking
- Brainstorming – restating the problem
- Changing the rules, not blaming them
- Negotiating with opponents and keeping an open mind
- Evaluation of ideas
- Suspending immediate judgment
Methods of Problem Solving
- The six-point model
- Using tools and techniques wisely
- Opening the unknown doors of the mind
- Creative thinking using industrial principles of design
- Creating options and solutions
The Problem Solving Methodology
- Identifying and evaluating options
- The strengths and weaknesses of the available models
- Mapping variables
- Researching risk before the analysis
- Factor analysis – probability, time and risk scoring
- Formulating hypotheses
- Directing a feasibility study
- Evaluating outcomes – long and short term
- Creating the right environment for successful decision making
Decision Making
- What is a Decision?
- The Decision Process
- Style and Intuition
- Systematic Approach
- Intuitive Approach
- Indecisiveness
Planning and Implementing the Solution
- Preparing a set of objectives for the implementation plan
- Writing an in depth report to cover the problem and rationale for the chosen solution.
- Gaining commitment from proposed implementers
- Briefing the implementers
- Setting up contingency plans for unexpected results
- Developing an effective monitoring and review process
Personal Development
- Preparing an action plan for use back in the workplace.