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Here are 7 problem solving techniques:
1. Approach Every Situation Like It Is a Project
Most professionals are used to doing this for actual projects, but you should consider doing this for day-to-day activities as well. Putting together a project plan gives you peace-of-mind because you will have a broader view of all the activities that you are undertaking. A plan gives you a long-term view of issues before they arise.
Also, if a problem comes up and you haven't anticipated it, you will be able to assess the impact on the entire project. What might appear to be a major issue when you are managing “on-the-fly” may not seem as significant to the overall scheme of the project if you are using a project plan.
Planning gives you a high-level view of the issue that will help you to calmly assess your options.
2. Don’t Panic
Some positive self-encouragement will go a long way towards helping you find a good solution. Rather than thinking, “I don’t know what to do” rephrase the statement to something like, “I know there’s a better solution to this issue; I just haven’t found it yet.”
Continue along this train of thought until you can say to yourself, “the answer is coming to me now.” The energy of this self-talk will attract new solutions and facilitate creative problem solving.
3. Short Team Meeting with Everyone Who Is Involved
I say short, because long, drawn-out meetings tend to quash creative thinking. Explain to the team what you are dealing with and ask for suggestions. Include every level of the team from managerial to administrative. If you don’t get a lot of viable solutions in the meeting, ask the meeting attendees to think about it and send you a follow-up email with their suggestions.
4. Bring in Someone Else Who Is Not Involved to Offer a Different Perspective
This is a good time to bring in your boss, who may have dealt with the problem before. Or it could be a colleague who doesn’t have experience in your area, but who has proven success at creative problem solving with other types of problems. Explain the problem in terms that someone who doesn't have your experience can understand and ask for their opinion.
5. Take a Break from the Problem
No matter what type of crisis you might be experiencing, find a way to go away from the location where the problem exists. If you have the luxury of time, take the weekend and relax completely .
Creative problem solving is a very creative process. Do something you enjoy, even if it’s for 20 minutes. Listen to some music you enjoy without distraction, take a walk outside, or do something recreational that completely takes your mind off the problem. You might think this is slacking off when you should be working hard to resolve the issue, but actually, the time you spend away from the issue will open you up to new possibilities. Taking time off is just as important as the time you spend working on it.
6. Evaluate All Possible Solutions by Listing Them
Visualize all the possible solutions making three columns next to the various solutions titled “issues, risks and rewards” and then have the project team fill out the various columns. Laying it out in this manner will help you identify the most attractive solution very quickly. It might be that the perfect solution is a combination of more than one solution. White-boarding the various scenarios makes the best pathway easier to identify.
7. Don’t Get Discouraged
Remember, you are the best person to make the decision in this particular situation because you have unique knowledge and you are the closest to the situation. So have the confidence that you will come up with the best possible solution! In this case, you should be rational and pay attention to everything. If you cannot cope with your problems or make a decision, just ask somebody to help you. It can be a stranger as well as your close friend.
#ProblemSolvingTechniques #BeDifferent