Six-Step Problem-Solving Process
#The Six-Step Problem-Solving Process
Problem-solving is a part of our everyday lives. We encounter problems at work, at home, and even at school. In order to solve problems efficiently and effectively, we need to have a problem-solving strategy. In this class, you will learn a six-step problem-solving process:
1. Research and define the problem
2. Determine the causes
3. Generate possible solutions
4. Decide on the best solution
5. Implement the solution
6. Evaluate the solution
Step 1: Research and Define the Problem
To define your problem, answer the following questions:
· What do you know about the problem?
· What information do you have?
· What don’t you know and should probably find out? What additional information do you need?
· When did this problem first occur?
· When did it not occur?
· How could you research this problem? How would you state the problem in the Present State and the Desired State? (p.97-99)
Step 2: Determine the Cause(s) of the Problem
In Step 2 you need to determine the causes of the problem by answering the following questions:
1. What IS Present? What IS NOT present? What is different here? What are the reasons for the difference?
2. Why is this a problem? Why could this not be the problem? What is the difference between why this is a problem and why it's not? What could account for these differences?
3. Who IS having the problem or being impacted by it? Who IS NOT having the problem or being impacted by it? Who is unaware of this situation?
4. Where IS the problem occurring? Where is the problem NOT occurring? What is the difference between these locations? What could account for this difference?
5. When is the problem occurring? When is the problem NOT occurring? What is the difference between these times? What could account for this difference?
6. How much is the problem bothering the stakeholders? How many people are at risk? How specific or localized is the risk? What is the difference between
Problem-solving is a part of our everyday lives. We encounter problems at work, at home, and even at school. In order to solve problems efficiently and effectively, we need to have a problem-solving strategy. In this class, you will learn a six-step problem-solving process:
1. Research and define the problem
2. Determine the causes
3. Generate possible solutions
4. Decide on the best solution
5. Implement the solution
6. Evaluate the solution
Step 1: Research and Define the Problem
To define your problem, answer the following questions:
· What do you know about the problem?
· What information do you have?
· What don’t you know and should probably find out? What additional information do you need?
· When did this problem first occur?
· When did it not occur?
· How could you research this problem? How would you state the problem in the Present State and the Desired State? (p.97-99)
Step 2: Determine the Cause(s) of the Problem
In Step 2 you need to determine the causes of the problem by answering the following questions:
1. What IS Present? What IS NOT present? What is different here? What are the reasons for the difference?
2. Why is this a problem? Why could this not be the problem? What is the difference between why this is a problem and why it's not? What could account for these differences?
3. Who IS having the problem or being impacted by it? Who IS NOT having the problem or being impacted by it? Who is unaware of this situation?
4. Where IS the problem occurring? Where is the problem NOT occurring? What is the difference between these locations? What could account for this difference?
5. When is the problem occurring? When is the problem NOT occurring? What is the difference between these times? What could account for this difference?
6. How much is the problem bothering the stakeholders? How many people are at risk? How specific or localized is the risk? What is the difference between