What are some effective problem-solving frameworks for time-sensitive issues?

2 The SCAMPER Technique

The SCAMPER technique is a creative method that helps you generate and improve ideas for solving a problem. It stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Reverse. This technique is useful for complex or ambiguous problems that require innovation and experimentation. For example, if your team is trying to design a new product for a target market, you can use the SCAMPER prompts to come up with new ideas. Ask yourself what you can replace or change in the product to make it better; what you can merge or integrate with the product to create new value; what you can borrow or learn from other products or industries; what you can add or enhance in the product; what you can do with the product to serve a different purpose or audience; what you can remove or simplify in the product; and what you can invert or rearrange in the product to create a new effect or feature. By applying these questions, you can generate a variety of solutions and test them with your market.

3 The Cynefin Framework

The Cynefin framework is a strategic tool that helps you categorize and respond to problems based on their level of complexity and uncertainty. It divides problems into five domains: simple, complicated, complex, chaotic, and disorder. Each domain has different characteristics and requires different approaches and methods. This framework is especially useful when you have a dynamic or unpredictable problem that involves multiple factors and stakeholders. For instance, if your team is facing a crisis that threatens business continuity, the Cynefin framework can help you assess the situation and decide how to act; if the problem is clear and stable, you can apply best practices and standard procedures. On the other hand, if the problem is unclear but stable, you can analyze it and consult experts to solve it. If it’s unclear and unstable, you can experiment with the problem and learn from feedback to find a solution. In situations where the problem is urgent and unstable, you should act quickly to stabilize the situation before looking for solutions. Finally, if the problem is undefined and chaotic, you should try to make sense of it before moving on to another domain. By using the Cynefin framework, you can adapt your problem-solving strategy to the context and complexity of the issue.

4 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?