You’re struggling to solve a problem in Corporate Real Estate. What are the best ways to improve your skills?

1 Identify the problem

The first step to solving any problem is to define it clearly and accurately. You need to understand the root cause, the scope, the impact, and the stakeholders involved in the problem. You can use tools such as the 5 Whys, SWOT analysis, or fishbone diagram to help you identify the problem and its components. By doing this, you will avoid jumping to conclusions, making assumptions, or wasting time on irrelevant issues.

2 Gather information

The next step is to collect relevant and reliable information that can help you analyze the problem and generate solutions. You need to research the market trends, the industry standards, the best practices, and the legal and regulatory frameworks that affect your problem. You also need to consult with your colleagues, clients, vendors, and experts who can provide you with valuable insights, feedback, and suggestions. You can use tools such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or benchmarking to help you gather information.

3 Evaluate alternatives

The third step is to evaluate the possible alternatives that can solve your problem. You need to weigh the pros and cons, the costs and benefits, and the risks and opportunities of each option. You also need to consider the feasibility, the suitability, and the acceptability of each option for your organization and stakeholders. You can use tools such as decision matrix, cost-benefit analysis, or SWOT analysis to help you evaluate alternatives.

4 Implement solutions

The fourth step is to implement the best solution that you have chosen based on your evaluation. You need to plan the actions, the resources, the timeline, and the responsibilities for executing the solution. You also need to communicate the solution to your stakeholders and get their buy-in and support. You can use tools such as Gantt chart, RACI matrix, or SMART goals to help you implement solutions.

6 Learn and improve

The sixth step is to learn and improve from your problem-solving experience. You need to reflect on what worked well, what did not work well, and what can be done better in the future. You also need to share your learnings, your best practices, and your recommendations with your team and organization. You can use tools such as lessons learned, after action review, or feedback loop to help you learn and improve.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?