STEPS FROM DATA TO DECISION - 1

Problems are often opportunities in disguise, and they are almost always portals for learning. A
methodical approach based on business problem-solving steps increases the odds of developing long-
term solutions that can satisfy management, employees, and customers.

Source: ecmhc.org

Following a clearly delineated set of problem-solving strategies can stop you from acting
rashly and making decisions that aren't in your best interests or the best interests of your
customers or investors. Taking a systematic approach to business management problems and
solutions won't keep you from having problems in the future, but it gives you important tools to keep
future situations from turning into crises.

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 Define the Problem

When you understand which aspect of a situation needs to be untangled and addressed, you position
yourself to get to the heart of the issue rather than wasting time addressing irrelevant concerns. Say
you hear through the grapevine that an indispensable employee is dissatisfied and looking
for work elsewhere. Before offering that employee higher pay or a more flexible schedule, it's
worth looking into whether the problem is unique to this individual employee or are all your
workers dissatisfied. The former approach may retain a single staff member, while the latter could
preempt ongoing staffing issues in the future.

Dissect the Problem

Most problems present themselves as specific situations that have spiraled out of control, but a
problem may be short or long-term, and it may be confined to a single person, or it may be
widespread. If you include more variables in your analysis, you increase the odds of addressing a
problem holistically and comprehensively.

Identify Grounds for Decision-Making

After you finish identifying and analyzing the problem, chart a course of action for forging a
solution. To define your decision-making criteria, you need to clarify your priorities. In the case of
the dissatisfied indispensable employee, your decision-making depends on your desired
outcome, whether that is keeping the employee on staff, keeping more employees longer term, or
saving money by hiring new workers at a ground-level pay scale.

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 Develop Problem-Solving Strategies

The first solution that comes to mind may not be the best one for your situation. A solution to which
you've given considerable thought isn't always the best option either. Position yourself to implement
a thoughtful and useful solution if you have multiple options and evaluate the pros and cons
of each. In addition to developing multiple solutions, it's prudent to engage multiple stakeholders
when solving problems, especially if these problems call for systems-level solutions.

Choose the Best Solution

If you've given quality thought and attention to identifying and analyzing a problem and then
developing possible solutions, you have already laid the groundwork for choosing an optimal solution.
No solution is foolproof, but if you use clarity and logic and avoid acting rashly, you're
unlikely to do something you regret, and you could even make a wise decision that benefits
everyone involved.

© 2023 Athena Global Education. All Rights Reserved