Problem Solving Skill

Problem-solving skill is one of the key operational and leadership skills required to perform all kinds of jobs smoothly and successfully.

Being the critical elements of the workplace, problems must be attempted and resolved in a structured and effective manner.

Problems are the opportunities to improve systems as well as relationships with colleagues and customers as well.
Moreover, problems provide lots of information to perform a relatively far better job.

It is not appropriate to decide the immediate solution to the problem which is being mistaken by many professionals in their routine course of work.

Problem-solving is required to follow a process in an effective and disciplined manner.
The following steps must be attempted sincerely.

Step 1:
 It is very critical to identify and define the root cause/causes of the problem. There must be a deep analysis of the causes and effects/symptoms of the problem.
 If symptoms are determined as causes of the problems, wrong decisions will be made and the problem will be reoccurred.
Sometimes different people perceive the same things differently, therefore, all stakeholders observation must be entertained and reviewed before finalizing root causes.

Step 2:
Once the causes have been found out,  it is required to determine and create a list of alternative corrective actions/solutions. There must be a thorough analysis of all available facts & figures, and all stakeholders should be involved in brainstorming and discussions before designing the final list of options.

Step 3:
When the final list of alternative Solutions is ready, there must be an evaluation method to sort out the best possible solution/solutions. Once again all main stakeholders must be involved in finalizing the best option/options.

Step 4:
Decision making is the half work done in problem-solving process completion until and unless it is not implemented effectively. Therefore after deciding final corrective actions/solutions, it's critical to follow them and get executed rigorously.
The implementation of decisions involves the following actions. 

• Allocating & assigning different tasks and responsibilities to the suitable team members.
• Communication with the team regarding different tasks & processes and its compliances.
•  Providing clarity on the objectives of key tasks, different processes, and other ambiguities to third party workers & customers.

Step 5:
Post corrective action plan implementation, it is essential to follow a process to monitor the progress and if required, necessary Interventions have to be accomplished.

Step 6:
 After a certain period of time, evaluation of outcomes also has to be done.

In case results are not desirable & satisfactory because of some unexpected circumstances and other factors, the whole process has to be followed and repeated again and all steps must be performed in a disciplined way.

Problem-solving & decision making is a set of unique experiences that provide lots of learning to perform far better in the future course of time.

Please publish your valuable comments.

Courtesy

PKGoel

 Sales Trainer

9319155888

Pkgoel_22@yahoo.co.in