20/08/2021 Problem solving techniques: Steps and methods

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Problem solving techniques: Steps

and methods

Home Blog Problem solving techniques: Steps and methods

Blog Education Posted on May 29, 2019

Constant disruption has become a hallmark of the modern workforce and organisations

want problem solving skills to combat this. Employers need people who can respond to

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change – be that evolving technology, new competitors, di erent models for doing
business, or any of the other transformations that have taken place in recent years.
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In addition, problem solving techniques encompass many of the other top skills
employers seek. For example, LinkedIn’s list of the most in-demand soft skills of 2019
includes creativity, collaboration and adaptability, all of which fall under the problem-
solving umbrella.

Despite its importance, many employees misunderstand what the problem solving
method really involves.

Tom Wujec: Got a wicked problem? First, tell me how you make toast

What constitutes effective problem solving?

E ective problem solving doesn’t mean going away and coming up with an answer
immediately. In fact, this isn’t good problem solving at all, because you’ll be running with
the rst solution that comes into your mind, which often isn’t the best.

Instead, you should look at problem solving more as a process with several steps involved
that will help you reach the best outcome. Those steps are:

1. De ne the problem
2. List all the possible solutions
3. Evaluate the options
4. Select the best solution

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20/08/2021 Problem solving techniques: Steps and methods

5. Create an implementation plan

6. Communicate your solution
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Let’s look at each step in a little more detail.

The rst solution you come up with won’t always be the best – taking the time to consider your
options is an essential problem solving technique.

1. Define the problem

The rst step to solving a problem is de ning what the problem actually is – sounds
simple, right? Well no. An e ective problem solver will take the thoughts of everyone
involved into account, but di erent people might have di erent ideas on what the root
cause of the issue really is. It’s up to you to actively listen to everyone without bringing
any of your own preconceived notions to the conversation. Learning to di erentiate facts
from opinion is an essential part of this process.

The same can be said of data. Depending on what the problem

An e ective is, there will be varying amounts of information available that
problem solver will help you work out what’s gone wrong. There should be at
least some data involved in any problem, and it’s up to you to
will take the
gather as much as possible and analyse it objectively.
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opinions of 2. List all the possible solutions

everyone Menu
Once you’ve identi ed what the real issue is, it’s time to think of

involved into solutions. Brainstorming as many solutions as possible will help

you arrive at the best answer because you’ll be considering all
account potential options and scenarios. You should take
everyone’s thoughts into account when you’re brainstorming
these ideas, as well as all the insights you’ve gleaned from your data analysis. It also helps
to seek input from others at this stage, as they may come up with solutions you haven’t
thought of.

Depending on the type of problem, it can be useful to think of both short-term and long-
term solutions, as some of your options may take a while to implement.

Getting everyone involved in the brainstorming process will ensure you get multiple
perspectives when problem solving.

3. Evaluate the options

Each option will have pros and cons, and it’s important you list all of these, as well as how
each solution could impact key stakeholders. Once you’ve narrowed down your options to
three or four, it’s often a good idea to go to other employees for feedback just in case
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20/08/2021 Problem solving techniques: Steps and methods

you’ve missed something. You should also work out how each option ties in with the
broader goals of the business.
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There may be a 4. Select an option

way to merge Only now should you choose which solution you’re going to go
with. What you decide should be whatever solves the problem
two options
most e ectively while also taking the interests of everyone
together in order involved into account. There may be a way to merge two options
together in order to satisfy more people.
to satisfy more
people.
5. Create an implementation plan
At this point you might be thinking it’s time to sit back and relax – problem solved, right?
There are actually two more steps involved if you want your problem solving method to
be truly e ective. The rst is to create an implementation plan. After all, if you don’t carry
out your solution e ectively, you’re not really solving the problem at all. 

Create an implementation plan on how you will put your solution into practice. One
problem solving technique that many use here is to introduce a testing and feedback
phase just to make sure the option you’ve selected really is the most viable. You’ll also
want to include any changes to your solution that may occur in your implementation plan,
as well as how you’ll monitor compliance and success.

6. Communicate your solution

There’s one last step to consider as part of the problem solving methodology, and that’s
communicating your solution. Without this crucial part of the process, how is anyone
going to know what you’ve decided? Make sure you communicate your decision to all the
people who might be impacted by it. Not everyone is going to be 100 per cent happy with
it, so when you communicate you must give them context. Explain exactly why you’ve
made that decision and how the pros mean it’s better than any of the other options you
came up with.

Problem solving credential

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Prove your problem solving skills with Deakin

Employers are increasingly seeking soft skills, but unfortunately, while you can show that
you’ve got a degree in a subject, it’s much harder to prove you’ve got pro ciency in things
like problem solving skills. But this is changing thanks to Deakin’s micro-credentials. These
are university-level micro-credentials that provide an authoritative and third-party
assessment of your capabilities in a range of areas, including problem solving. Reach out
today for more information.

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