How can you use your problem solving skills to reduce food waste and increase food security?

2 Generate possible solutions

Once you have a clear picture of the problem, you can brainstorm possible solutions that address the root causes and the needs of the stakeholders. You can use techniques like the SCAMPER method, the Six Thinking Hats, or the Idea Matrix to generate diverse and creative ideas. You can also look for examples of best practices or innovative initiatives that have successfully reduced food waste or increased food security in other contexts.

3 Evaluate and select solutions

Not all solutions are equally feasible, effective, or sustainable. You need to evaluate and select the solutions that have the most potential to solve the problem and meet the criteria of your situation. You can use tools like the SWOT analysis, the Impact-Effort Matrix, or the Decision Matrix to compare and rank the solutions based on their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, impact, effort, cost, and benefits.

4 Implement and monitor solutions

After choosing the best solutions, you need to plan and execute them in a systematic and realistic way. You need to define the goals, activities, resources, roles, and timelines of your solutions, and communicate them clearly to the relevant stakeholders. You also need to monitor and measure the progress and outcomes of your solutions, and collect feedback and data to assess their effectiveness and impact.

5 Learn and improve solutions

Problem solving is an iterative and adaptive process that requires constant learning and improvement. You need to review and reflect on the results and feedback of your solutions, and identify what worked well and what didn't. You need to celebrate the successes and learn from the failures, and use the insights and lessons to improve your solutions or generate new ones. You need to keep testing and refining your solutions until you achieve your desired goals.

6 Share and scale solutions

The last step to solving a problem is to share and scale your solutions to reach more people and create more impact. You need to communicate and disseminate your solutions to the wider audience, and showcase their value and benefits. You need to collaborate and partner with other organizations or individuals who share your vision and mission, and leverage their resources and networks to scale your solutions. You need to inspire and empower others to join your cause and become part of the solution.