How do you gather input for better problem solving?

2 Identify the sources of input

Once you have defined the problem and the objective, you need to identify the sources of input that can help you answer your key questions and hypotheses. These sources can be internal or external, qualitative or quantitative, primary or secondary, depending on the nature and scope of the problem. For example, stakeholders such as clients, customers, employees, suppliers, competitors, and regulators can provide insights, opinions, feedback, and expectations. Data like financial reports, market research, surveys, benchmarks, and metrics can provide evidence, trends, patterns, and comparisons. Additionally, experts with specialized knowledge or experience in the problem domain can offer guidance, advice, best practices and frameworks. All of these sources of input can help you structure and solve the problem in a systematic and rigorous way.

3 Choose the methods and tools

Once you have identified the sources of input, you need to decide on the methods and tools that can help you collect and organize the input in an efficient and effective way. The choice of methods and tools may depend on the type and quality of the input, the availability and accessibility of the sources, time and budget constraints, as well as the level of detail and accuracy required. Some common methods and tools include interviews, surveys, observations, and tools. Interviews can be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured, while surveys can be closed-ended, open-ended, or mixed. Observations can be participatory, non-participatory, or covert and done in natural or artificial settings. Tools can be generic such as spreadsheets or databases or specific such as data analysis or survey design software. Additionally, tools can be desktop, web-based, or mobile depending on the accessibility and mobility you need.

4 Synthesize the input

Finally, after collecting and organizing the input, it must be synthesized in a meaningful way to help solve the problem and reach the objective. This requires filtering, sorting, grouping, prioritizing, and interpreting the information in a logical and coherent manner. Additionally, it's important to identify the key findings, insights, implications, and gaps that can aid in formulating and testing solutions and recommendations. To synthesize the input effectively, a synthesis framework should be employed; for instance, a SWOT analysis to recognize strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the problem or solution; a root cause analysis to distinguish underlying causes and effects; a value proposition canvas to determine customer segments and their jobs, pains, and gains; or a decision matrix to evaluate and compare alternatives and criteria of the solution. Gathering input is essential in problem solving but requires planning, execution, and synthesis skills. By following these tips and best practices you can gather input for improved problem solving that will result in high-quality outcomes for your clients and stakeholders.