Using the 5 step process. Define the Problem. Research Ideas. Decide on a Solution. Implement the Solution. Review the Results. Problem-focused coping skills. Make Sure You’re Solving the Right Problem. It may be obvious that you can’t solve a problem that’s not well defined, but many people neglect this detail.
Next time you think you’re ready to go into problem-solving mode, consider the following: Root Cause Analysis - Problem Solving From MindTools.com. Tracing a Problem to its Origins Learn how to use Root Cause Analysis to fix problems more easily.
In medicine, it's easy to understand the difference between treating the symptoms and curing the condition. A broken wrist, for example, really hurts! But painkillers will only take away the symptoms; you'll need a different treatment to help your bones heal properly. But what do you do when you have a problem at work? However, if you look deeper to figure out what's causing the problem, you can fix the underlying systems and processes so that it goes away for good. Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a popular and often-used technique that helps people answer the question of why the problem occurred in the first place. The Problem-Definition Process - Problem-Solving Tools From MindTools.com.
Developing the Right Solution © iStockphotoklaravlas Understand your problem and its wider context.
When we try to solve business problems, we can often pressurize ourselves to find solutions quickly. The problem with this is that we can end up only partially solving the problem, or we can solve the wrong problem altogether, with all of the delay, expense, and lost business opportunity that goes with this. How to Make Decisions - Decision Making Tools From MindTools.com. Some decisions are so simple that you're barely aware you're making them, while others are time consuming, high risk, and can leave you feeling anxious.
Decisions can make or break a project or an entire business. And they often involve complex and unpredictable interpersonal issues, too. In this article and video, we explore a seven-step approach for improving the quality of your decision making, and for boosting your chances of a successful outcome. Priortise carefully. Effective executives do not make a great many decisions.
They concentrate on what is important. They try to make the few important decisions on the highest level of conceptual understanding. They try to find the constants in a situation, to think through what is strategic and generic rather than to “solve problems.” They are, therefore, not overly impressed by speed in decision making; rather, they consider virtuosity in manipulating a great many variables a symptom of sloppy thinking. They want to know what the decision is all about and what the underlying realities are which it has to satisfy. Effective executives know when a decision has to be based on principle and when it should be made pragmatically, on the merits of the case.
Sequential Steps The elements do not by themselves “make” the decisions. Decision Making Techniques and Skills from MindTools.com. Free Workbook Offer!
Find Out More JoinBefore Mar 22 FREE Toolkit Offer Get our new Take Control of Your Time Toolkit FREE when you join the Mind Tools Club before midnight, March 22. Loading... Got it! We use cookies to give you the best experience of our website. Cookie Consent plugin for the EU cookie law. Before You Make That Big Decision... (HBR Bestseller) This pricing is for PDFs that are purchased and downloaded from our website and printed copies that ship from our warehouse to your requested shipping location. 1-4 = $8.95 each 5-10 = $8.75 each 11-49 = $8.50 each 50-499 = $8.25 each 500+ = $8.00 each Note: Quantity pricing discounts will be reflected at Checkout, prior to submitting your order.
Avoiding Psychological Bias in Decision Making - From MindTools.com. How to Make Objective Decisions © iStockphotokemie Are you making a balanced judgement, or do you have confirmation bias?
Imagine that you're researching a potential product. You think that the market is growing, and, as part of your research, you find information that supports this belief. As a result, you decide that the product will do well, and you launch it, backed by a major marketing campaign. However, the product fails. In this scenario, your decision was affected by confirmation bias. Confirmation bias is one of many psychological biases to which we're all susceptible when we make decisions. What is Psychological Bias? Psychologists Daniel Kahneman, Paul Slovic, and Amos Tversky introduced the concept of psychological bias in the early 1970s.
They explained that psychological bias – also known as cognitive bias – is the tendency to make decisions or take action in an illogical way. Psychological bias is the opposite of common sense and clear, measured judgment. Cause and Effect Analysis (Fishbone Diagrams) - from MindTools.com. Importance of Building Commitment & Trust in Strategic Decision-Making.