Problem Solving and Decision Making

                                                           

Problems are the part and parcel of every organisation. We need a completely different approach to solve a problem. Following are the types of problems :

• Urgent Vs. Important                                             
• Big Vs. Small                                                                
• Rich people  Vs. Poor people
• Structured Vs. Unstructured 

                                         

The problem solving process consists of following steps.

A. SITUATION ANALYSIS

- Valuing and Examining the solutions :

   First of all we need to analyse the system thoroughly. Valuing and examining of various solutions is also a prime step of problem solving.

- Priority setting - Agree on problem :

      Team needs to accept that a problem exists and this should be of highest priority. Unless a team agrees on a problem, they can’t think of solving the problem                     

B. PROBLEM ANALYSIS

- Information Getting 

   All the data and information regarding the problem must be gathered. This data can be analysed later to find the causes of error and to find solution.

- Problem definition.

                                              “a problem well put is half solved.”
                                                                            ― John Dewey

   Problem should be defined clearly so as have clear understanding among team members about the problem. The clear definition of problem decided the direction of problem solving

C. SOLUTION ANALYSIS 

- Getting Ideas - Generate ideas 

   Team should discuss different ideas of solving the problem. Their brainstorming on ideas is of paramount importance in solving the problem

- Decision Making - Select idea 

  After evaluating the pros and cons of each idea, team members should select the best suitable idea for solving their problem. Dialectic method is most preferred to select the best idea.

D.  IMPLEMENTATION ANALYSIS

 - Participation  - Involve Others

Involving every stakeholder in solving the problem can provide a different perspective to problem solving process. Acceptance of idea by every stakeholder is of prime significance to implement it.

- Planning - Construct Plan

 Proper planning of implementation of solution is needed to remove the problem. Without planning the problem may persist and would not be resolved.

Manager plays following roles in solving the problem :

                                   

 Leader :

    

 Leading the team and giving the right direction for problem solving. Empowering the team so as to make it able to solve the problem.

 Detective :

 To identify the causes of problem and to ensure the same causes do not occur in future.

 Innovator

  

  To design a completely new system which would be error proof. It is different from improvising the existing system. Manager has to think completely different and needs to come out with totally new solution

  Coordinator :

  Manager need to coordinate with the team to implement the solution. Without proper coordination between manager and team member, team is bound to fail.

Happy Reading!!!