How to Problem Solve

By Avil M. Beckford

Table of Contents
Legal Notices .. 3 Introduction .. 4 Characteristics of Great Problem Solvers 5 4 Types of Problem Solvers .. 6 Problem Solving Process .. 8 4 Step Problem Solving Process .. 9 What Great Thinkers & Innovators Have in Common 11 Things to do to Become a Better Problem Solver ..13 Anatomy of a Problem Solving Process ..14 Reverse Problem Solving . 21 Conclusion 23 About the Author ..24 Websites/Resources 25

Legal Notices

Please feel free to distribute the presentation in its entirety with attribution to the author.

Disclaimer And/Or Legal Notices: The information presented herein represents the view of the author at the time of publication. Due to the rate at which conditions change, the right to update this publication is reserved based on new conditions. This toolkit is for informational purposes only, in regard to the subject matter, and not intended as professional advice. While every attempt has been made to verify the information provided in this work, the author does not assume any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. You should be aware of any laws which govern business transactions or other business practices in your country, province and state.

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Introduction

Any successful business or life activity demands the ability to problem solve
Employees who boldly face daily problems and challenges are worth more to an organization than those who passively rely on their supervisors Moving up the corporate ladder depends on the number and complexity of problems solved

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Characteristics of Great Problem Solvers

Observe Listen and hear Get along with others Secure reliable information Look at whats been done before Pay attention to detail Take a break Reflect on options Trust their instincts Adapt Take decisive actions Persistent

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4 Types of Problem Solvers

After distilling 60 interview responses to the question, Describe a business challenge you had and how you resolved it four types of problem solvers emerged.

Inspirers Reflectors Innovators Influencers

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4 Types of Problem Solvers

Inspirers: They nurture people and relationships and have the ability to inspire confidence. Whenever they face a challenge or problem, people rally around them offering their assistance. Reflectors: These problem solvers do not rush when making decisions, instead they take their time, mull things over for a while, step back from the situation to get a new perspective and then act.

Innovators: These individuals have the unique ability to come up with creative solutions to any challenge or problem that they might encounter. It could be an entirely new solution or the blending of two known solutions into something fresh and exciting.
Influencers: These problem solvers are expert at getting others to support their cause, and they excel at finding solutions to people problems that involve change. Influencers are great at getting people to buy in.

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Problem Solving Process

In his 1926 book The Art of Thought, Graham Wallas, the English political scientist and psychologist, adopted and expanded Hermann von Helmholtzs process to idea development.

Wallas describes a four-stage creativity process for generating great ideas preparation, incubation, illumination and implementation.
This process is ideal for problem solving because it taps into the idea of creative solutions rather than a one-size fits all template.

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4-Step Problem Solving Process

Preparation: A period of study and fact-finding, which includes conducting research to identify what has been done before, interviewing subject experts and participating in any other activity of collecting opinions or ideas on the subject. It is time to take a break when you become stressed, bored, overwhelmed, or distracted, or feel that its futile to gather more information. Incubation: Stop thinking about the problem and sleep on it. Though not consciously working on your issues, challenges or problems, your subconscious mind is busy working at connecting the different pieces of information to form ideas, and so creating something different and new.
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4-Step Problem Solving Process

Illumination: When you least expect it, a sudden flash of insight, an aha moment where the new idea(s) to resolve your issues, challenges or problems will surface to your conscious mind and you see the light.

Implementation: The great idea(s) or solution that surfaces could be implemented the way you conceived it, or you may have elements of a great idea that you have to refine before you can implement.

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What Great Thinkers & Innovators Have In Common

Ability to reflect Observation skills Openness to experiment Keep record of research Impossible was not an answer Open minded

Childlike sense of play Curious Voracious reader Read/study broadly Observe and collect facts Independent thinking Take breaks to reenergize

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What Great Thinkers & Innovators Have In Common

Total absorption in subject Look at the limitations of old inventions and devise a solution Modify present technologies for other uses Ability to make connections between two different things Have imagination

Have vision Didnt reinvent the wheel - built on present knowledge Ability to combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills Paid attention to detail Give vital ideas the opportunity to take root and grow

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Things You Can do to Become a Better Problem Solver

Each day spend some time reflecting on life Travel to places that you have never been before Eat different foods, interact with nature Take time to learn about another culture Read diverse books and other materials and think about what youve read

Consider problems that you know need solving and work on ways to solve them
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Anatomy of a Problem Solving Process

Stage I: Preparation (Research/Gather ideas) 1. Describe a challenge or problem that youre having. Writing down the problem makes it more concrete for you. Make sure that your problem statement is not too broadly or narrowly defined 2. Develop a set of decision criteria to judge the quality of the solutions 3. Describe the root causes (not symptoms) of the problem or challenge. Uncover the facts surrounding the problem

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Anatomy of a Problem Solving Process

Stage I: Preparation (Research/Gather ideas) 4. Who do you know that has experienced a similar problem? If you know someone: a. How did they resolve the problem? b. Would that solution work for you? Collect all the information that you can find relating to possible solutions
a)
b) c) d) e)

5.

Look for case studies in your industry and unrelated industries Conduct research on the internet Interview subject matter experts Brainstorm with colleagues Conduct focus group interviews

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Anatomy of a Problem Solving Process

Stage I: Preparation (Research/Gather ideas)

6.Read all the information gathered and synthesize them 7.Extract all the relevant information by distilling the facts pertinent to your problem 8.Formulate options and test alternatives

This is the most critical stage for Inspirers, Influencers & Innovators

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Anatomy of a Problem Solving Process

Stage II: Incubation (Lay the issue aside for a period of time) 1.Take a break, or work on another project 2.Let all the information sit for a while This is an important stage for Reflectors.

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Anatomy of a Problem Solving Process

Stage III: Illumination (The moment when the new solution (idea) emerges) 1. 2. 3. 4. You have an aha moment You see the problem in a completely different light Or a solution (s) comes to you You now have an opening to develop a strategy to resolve your problem This is another important stage for Reflectors & Innovators.
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Anatomy of a Problem Solving Process

Stage IV: Verification/Implementation (Test out the idea then apply it) 1. Test the idea to see if its a workable solution to your problem Use the criteria you developed in Stage I to judge the quality of the solution Refine the idea if you have to

2.

3.

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Anatomy of a Problem Solving Process

4. 5.

Implement the solution Evaluate the solution

6.

If you find that the solution doesnt work, go through the process again
This is an important step for all types of problems solvers, but more so for Influencers who have to get buy in and Innovators who take pride in doing whats never been done.

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Reverse Problem Solving

In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey says, Begin with the end in mind. There are times when you have a specific outcome for a problem. In such instances, you have to reverse the problem solving process, that is, work backwards methodically and fill in the missing information.

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Reverse Problem Solving

To reverse problem solve:

Define the problem What are the knowns? What are the unknowns? What is the end result (goal)? Why is it important to achieve this goal? Develop a strategy to achieve the goal (solve the problem), working from the end result What are the necessary steps to achieve the goal? Solve the problem using the steps identified to achieve the goals Does the solution make sense? Is it the best solution? Check the solution by working forwards

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Conclusion

The type of problem solver you are informs how you approach the challenges, problems and issues that you will inevitably face in your work and life. The problem solving process outlined above is solid and has been used successfully for decades. The entire process can take hours or it can take months depending on the complexity of the problem.

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About The Author

Avil Beckford President of Ambeck Enterprise and Chief Invisible Mentor, is an accomplished writer, researcher, and analyst with over 15 years of experience. Her strong service orientation, dedication to learning and exploring new ways of improving her own life as well as the many she touches, has underpinned her success to date. A published author, her new book, Tales of People Who Get It is the culmination of her life experiences. It has often been said of Avil that her life informs her work. She has also created a companion workbook Journey to Getting It.
Avils many readers look forward to Ambeck Edge, her companys regular e-Newsletter that is a rich resource those interested in selfimprovement, as well as those professionals who struggle with life balance issues. More recently, she created The Invisible Mentor Blog to use books, articles and interviews by and about successful people to mentor her readers.

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Websites/Resources
Websites Ambeck Enterprise http://www.ambeck.com The Invisible Mentor Blog http://theinvisiblementor.com Resources Website Resources: http://www.ambeck.com/resources.html Blog Resources: http://theinvisiblementor.com/resources/ Books: Tales of People Who Get It, Journey to Getting It, The Invisible Mentor Tool Kit, The Problem Solver Tool Kit, WorkLife Balance Self Discovery Worksheet , Regret Disengagement Worksheet http://stores.lulu.com/avilbeckford

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