Having the ability to solve problems is an important life skill. We know that no one gets through life without running into some trouble, whether it is trying to figure out how to get the rent paid to figure out what to eat for dinner. I developed a training class at work on solving problems. I noticed that some employees on my team needed to learn how to identify problems effectively, and when they could locate them, they needed to learn how to set up a plan to resolve them.
Did you know that an entrepreneur is a problem solver who takes risks? Yes. The whole concept of enterprise is about finding solutions to a pain in the marketplace. My job as a boss and entrepreneur is to address problems and find working solutions to those problems. Here are significant problem-solving steps that will help you identify and solve problems.
The Steps to Solving Problems Are Simple:
- Identify Issues
- Determine Cause and Effects
- Discover Possible Solutions
- Evaluate Solutions
- Execute a Solution
- Track Progress
- Monitor Outcomes
Identify Issues:
The first step in the problem-solving process is to determine the problem. You can only solve a problem once you determine what it is. These are the steps you follow when identifying issues.
- Access the situation
- Be clear about the problem(s) you observe
- Consider who the problem affects
Use a tracking mechanism to identify and track how the problem will be resolved. Consider project management tools that are beneficial for this.
Who Does the Problem affect?
Every problem affects someone. If it didn’t, then it wouldn’t be a problem. Your first step is to identify the problem, and now you must determine who the problem affects and why it’s a problem. Be diligent with finding who a problem affects. Make a notation of the concerns in a list. This will help you identify solutions to the problem. Those solutions will lead to how to solve problems.
Brainstorm Solutions
Now that you have a list of problems and the effects they cause respond to each item with a solution. This is just brainstorming, so don’t spend a lot of effort trying to validate the solutions just yet. Whether good or bad, listing solutions is a way to ensure that you are considering a possible outcome that is available.
Evaluate the Solutions
This is where you take the solutions you have brainstormed and evaluate them to rule out which solutions will not work or be sufficient to resolve the problem. You should end up with a narrow list of solutions or a solution that would be the best to resolve the problem. Remember, the best solution will fix the problem(s) and prevent the problem(s) from reoccurring. If they can’t be prevented from reoccurring, then your solution should address how to respond to the problem quickly in the future effectively.
Choose your Best Solution and Apply It
You can now execute a plan to resolve the issue you identified in the beginning. From your narrow list of solutions, this is where you must be strategic. Consider which solution will be the best choice. You can plan out the solution and ensure it is appropriately executed to resolve the problem.
Accountability
Your solution may require that you follow up later on a task, or it may require you to delegate a task to someone else. Always schedule a follow-up to ensure that the solutions you have tasked or scheduled out or being completed or on schedule to be completed. It will benefit you none to find solutions to a problem but not ensure the solutions are being carried out.
Review the Results
After a solution has been implemented and tested, you must review the outcome. Evaluate whether your problem(s) have been resolved. Are there any new problems that have been created? Does your solution prevent the problem from reoccurring? If it doesn’t, has a plan been established to address the problem the next time it happens?
If you find yourself faced with an issue, it seems you don’t know what to do. Don’t freeze. Take action. I have found the best way to manage the problem is to step back and make observations. It’s tempting to panic; when we panic, we create problems in our minds that do not exist. Stepping back and using these problem-solving tips will aid you in being realistic about your problem and finding a working solution.