A B C D

1. Define the problem

• Questions to ask

What causes you to think there's a problem?

Triple Constraint Principle

 Something is a problem if:

Time
 It makes you LATE

Problem  It increases COST

 It degrades PERFORMANCE
Cost Performance
1. Define the problem
• Questions to ask

 What causes you to think there's a problem?

 Where is it happening?
 How is it happening?
 When is it happening?
 with Whom is it happening?
(HINT: NOT "Who is causing the problem?")

 Why is it happening?
1. Define the problem
• Prioritize the problems
1. Define the problem
• Prioritize the problems Urgent Not Urgent

Important
Urgent and Not Urgent
Important but Important
A B

Not Important
Urgent but Not Urgent and
Not Important Not Important
C D
1. Define the problem
• Defining complex problems - Reframe problem

I need to find a way to

unlock all of these locks

I need to find a way to open this door

1. Define the problem
• Understand your role in the problem
Your role influences how you perceive the role of others.

Examples,
1. Define the problem
• Verifying your understanding of the problems
2. Look at Root cause of the problem
Problem: You got caught speeding.
 1st “Why?” : You were late for work.
 2nd “Why?” : You got up late.
 3rd “Why?” : When the alarm rang you were too tired
to get up and you hit the snooze button.

 4th “Why?” : You went to sleep late.

 5th “Why?” : You were watching TV past midnight. (This
is the root cause of the problem.)

Solution: turn the TV off at 10:30 p.m. every night.

3. Generate Alternatives
3. Generate Alternatives
• Tips

 Brainstorming

 Involve Outsiders

 External Benchmarking

 Encourage members to step out of their traditional roles

 Ask probing questions

 Be willing to consider views differing from yours

 Revisit abandoned alternatives

3. Generate Alternatives
• Vertical & Lateral Thinking

 Vertical Thinking is selective.

 One may reach a conclusion by

a valid series of steps.

 Lateral Thinking is generative.

 Vertical thinking develops the

ideas generated by lateral
thinking.

"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." - Albert Einstein
Activity
4. Select an approach to resolve
4. Select an approach to resolve
Consider:

 For the long term?

 Most realistic?

 Do you have the resources?

 Are they affordable?

 Have enough time to implement?

 Extent of risk associated with each alternative?

5. Action plan
 Situation once the problem is solved

 Indicators

 Resources needed in terms of people, money and facilities

 Schedule

 Communicate
6. Monitor implementation of the plan

 Monitor the indicators of success:

 Are you seeing what you would expect from the indicators?

 Will the plan be done according to schedule?

Verification – Product Right

Validation - Right Product

 Fill in the blanks

___ + ___ + ___ = 30

Using
1 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 13 , 15
7. Verify

Former U.S. Senator