As a leader, you may encounter complex problems that require creative and collaborative solutions from your team. But how do you approach such problems and guide your team to find the best outcomes? In this article, we will share some tips and techniques that can help you and your team tackle complex problems effectively and efficiently.
The first step to solving any problem is to understand it clearly and accurately. You need to define the problem in a way that is specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). You also need to identify the root causes, the stakeholders, the constraints, and the desired results of the problem. You can use tools such as the 5 Whys, the Fishbone Diagram, or the Problem Statement to help you define the problem.
The first step I considere This first step, I consider it the most important. If there is no clarity in the problem, ideas can be deviated in addressing the effects and not the cause.
When I was a product manager at GE, we had a phase gated process built around the lean sig sigma “DMADOV” workflow. At Siemens Energy, this workflow was incorporated into the CAPA root cause analysis semi-automation; with attention to the complexity of the problem being matched with a correspondingly more or less complex RCA method. I love using Michael Marquadt’s Action Learning principles to work through my RCA’s. Our RCA’s ranged from 5 Why’s?, Ishikawa, Taproot, Apollo and KT…
The next step is to generate as many possible ideas as you can to solve the problem. You want to encourage your team to think creatively and divergently, without judging or filtering any ideas. You can use techniques such as brainstorming, mind mapping, SCAMPER, or Six Thinking Hats to help you generate ideas. The goal is to explore different perspectives, scenarios, and alternatives that could address the problem.
After you have generated a list of ideas, you need to evaluate and prioritize them based on their feasibility, impact, and alignment with your goals and values. You want to select the most promising ideas that can solve the problem effectively and efficiently. You can use tools such as the Decision Matrix, the SWOT Analysis, or the Impact-Effort Matrix to help you evaluate and prioritize ideas.
The next step is to develop and test the solutions that you have selected. You need to plan how to implement the solutions, what resources and actions are needed, and how to measure the results. You also need to test the solutions in a controlled and realistic environment, and collect feedback and data to validate their effectiveness. You can use tools such as the Action Plan, the PDCA Cycle, or the Prototype to help you develop and test solutions.
The final step is to implement and monitor the solutions that you have developed and tested. You need to communicate the solutions clearly and persuasively to your team and other stakeholders, and assign roles and responsibilities for the implementation. You also need to monitor the progress and outcomes of the solutions, and track the key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics that you have defined. You can use tools such as the Gantt Chart, the Dashboard, or the Feedback Loop to help you implement and monitor solutions.
Solving complex problems is not a one-time event, but a continuous process of learning and improvement. You need to review the results and feedback of the solutions, and identify what worked well and what could be improved. You also need to celebrate the successes and acknowledge the challenges of your team, and share the lessons learned and best practices with others. You can use tools such as the After Action Review, the Lessons Learned Log, or the Appreciative Inquiry to help you learn and improve.
When dealing with a complex problem, it's crucial to approach it methodically. Break down the problem into smaller parts and encourage open communication within the team to gather diverse insights. Collaboratively brainstorm potential solutions, prioritize them based on feasibility and impact, and implement a systematic testing and iteration process. Maintain clear communication, foster teamwork, and stay adaptable throughout the problem-solving journey.
Una vez establecido el contexto común: foco de interés y realidad una vez pasado el problema, ayuda mucho dividir a tu equipo en sub-equipos que trabajen en paralelo. Desde ahí se fomenta la riqueza de ideas y diversidad.