LESSON 4: SOLVING PROBLEMS ANALYTICALLY AND CREATIVELY

STEPS IN ANALYTICAL PROBLEM SOLVING

STEP 1: DEFINING THE PROBLEM

1. factual information is differentiated from opinion or speculation
2. all individuals involved are tapped as information sources
3. the problem is stated explicitly
4. the problem definition clearly identifies what standard or expectation has been violated
5. "whose problem is this?"
6. the definition is not simply a disguised solution

STEP 2: GENERATING ALTERNATIVES

1. the evaluation of each proposed alternative is postponed
2. alternatives are proposed by all individuals involved in the problem
3. alternative solutions are consistent with organizational goals or policies
4. alternatives take into consideration both short-term and long-term consequences
5. alternatives build on one another
6. alternatives solve the problem that has been defined

STEP 3: EVALUATING ALTERNATIVES

1. alternatives are evaluated relative to an optimal rather than a satisfactory standard
2. evaluation of alternatives occur systematically
3. evaluated in terms of goals of the organizations and individuals involved
4. evaluated in terms of probable effects
5. alternative ultimately selected is stated explicitly

STEP 4: IMPLEMENTING THE SOLUTION

1. occurs at the right time and in the proper sequence
2. occurs using a "small-wins" strategy
3. includes opportunities for feedback
4. participation by individuals affected by the problem solution
5. ongoing monitoring system
6. evaluation of success is based on problem solution not on the side benefits

Problems can't be eliminated in the workplace. To be able to solve the problem, it is best to follow the different steps so that the problem will be solved immediately and efficiently. By defining the problem, the organization will be able to know the real problem but entails a lot of information. In order for the organization to know that it is a real problem, they have to get information about the said problem and start generating alternatives for it. Here, the more alternatives there is, the better. This will give the organization a wider scope on how to solve the problem. "Judgment and evaluation should be postponed so the first acceptable solution suggested is not the one immediately selected." Alternatives should not be evaluated as it is proposed because the first one evaluated is chosen. Evaluating alternatives means weighing out the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative. This takes a lot of time because the people involved will judge each alternative and should be accepted by everyone as the best alternative to solve the problem. The last step is implementing the alternative. This involves following up on the solution to check if it solved the problem.