What are some successful problem solving strategies informed by stakeholder feedback?

Couple of things I've learned along the way: 1.The most knowledgeable stakeholder with the most crucial content isn't always confident/able to verbalise it. Find a way to give them the space they need 2.Not all feedback has reams of data to back it up, don't discount the human feedback especially from front line customer teams but seek validation 3.Synthesising sources of input is therefore key to gather the threads of the core messages and knit them together in a cohesive way 4.Try to be flexible in finding a way to keep the heartbeat of programme alive - formats can work so differently for different personality styles asking the group how you'll manage the governance aspect and in what format can be useful in building concensus

Focus on those really verbal stakeholders, people will listen to them and they will make sure they’re heard! If they are not supportive of the change be sure to keep them close and focus on driving them to advocacy. This is a huge win if you can turn them around, they will remain their vocal selves, other parties who have been on the fence or against will sit up and take notice. If they are supportive of the change give them plenty to talk about, keep them updated, they will do a lot of the engagement heavy lifting for you!

Effective problem-solving strategies that incorporate stakeholder feedback are crucial for addressing complex issues and ensuring that solutions meet the needs and expectations of all relevant parties. Some of the effective strategies can be :- 1. Engage Stakeholders Early and Often 2. Iterative Feedback Loops: Establish iterative feedback loops to gather input at different stages of problem-solving.Adapt and refine solutions based on ongoing feedback to enhance their effectiveness. 3.Active Listening: Practice active listening to understand the concerns, priorities, and perspectives of stakeholders.Use feedback mechanisms such as surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather input.

In every project/program you have the decision makers and the influencers. Identify both and ensure that their needs are met. The influencers are particularly key because they are the voice the senior stakeholders listen to and depend upon. So make sure you are aware of them and pay proper attention to meeting their requirements.

I agree that the first step in stakeholder engagement is identifying them and using the power-interest grid. You need to ascertain the relevance and influence of each stakeholder to design a target and effective engagement strategy. In solving a problem, using the most effective channel in your engagement strategy, it is important to reach out to each stakeholder group to ask pertinent questions and seek their feedback. Engaging your key stakeholders in problem-solving fosters innovative solutions and ensures they align with diverse expectations. After collating the feedback, present proposed solutions to stakeholders and actively solicit their feedback. This allows for course correction and ensures solutions meet all stakeholder needs.

In addition to identifying the senior stakeholders and influencers, it is important to ensure appropriate visibility is provided to the senior stakeholders on the progress in a language they can understand. Often the team is deep in the weeds of the program and they forget that not everyone will understand or want to understand the details. So tailor the message to the audience while ensuring integrity and transparency. Finally, remember that no one likes a surprise. So be upfront with the challenges and any slippages, issues etc. It is better to be transparent and seek assistance than to try and tailor a positive message which blows up in the end. That will not help anyone and will create a lack of trust in the program.

In the world of stakeholder-informed problem-solving, proactive communication and the feedback loop aren't just strategies; they're absolute musts! Don't just wait for questions or concerns to arise; take the lead in communication. Proactive outreach establishes a foundation of trust and ensures stakeholders feel heard and valued. Share updates, insights, and potential challenges before they become roadblocks. By being transparent and anticipatory, you set the stage for collaborative problem-solving.

Customers are critical stakeholders for the banking sector while often regulated to have a customer feedback framework. The leaders I’ve seen thrive don’t wait for feedback, poor customer experiences. They actively seek this feedback and make it a point to communicate regularly with their customers. More so to the fact that when business priorities shifts customer are proactively involved in the change management process. This is where relationships are critical and connections to the customer is authentic with clarity.

Few important aspects of communication with Stakeholders are: 1) Determine the right voice. Find the right authority who should be communicating. 2) Important to determine the right channel- whether it needs to be on phone, or email or in person. As wrong channel can desolve the message. 3) The timing- communication should be at both proactive as well as at reactive stage, depending on the situation. 4) Last but not least, package your message well. A positive tone and open for feedback style

Regularly engage with stakeholders to understand their perspectives, concerns, and expectations. Foster an open dialogue, encouraging stakeholders to share insights and feedback throughout the problem-solving process. Transparent communication builds trust and ensures that solutions are aligned with stakeholder needs. Regular updates on progress demonstrate responsiveness, keeping stakeholders informed and invested. This ongoing dialogue transforms problem-solving into a collaborative effort, enriching solutions with diverse viewpoints. By prioritizing effective communication, problem solvers not only address issues more comprehensively but also cultivate a culture of shared responsibility and satisfaction among stakeholders.

In my experience, one aspect which is amiss during this phase of analyzing and synthesizing the stakeholder feedback is the acknowledgement. It is very important to acknowledge the feedback received and if further follow up if required based on feedback received. Doing so allows the stakeholders to feel empowered and at the same time accountable to their feedback.

“Often, when we rush into solving a problem, we overlook the root issue, missing the key factors influencing the outcome (the x’s). Let’s assess customer feedback (VOC) to accurately identify the target outcome (the Y) we’re aiming for.”

Systematically collect and categorize diverse stakeholder perspectives, identifying common themes and concerns. Scrutinize feedback for underlying issues, transcending surface observations. Synthesize this data to form a holistic understanding, ensuring that solutions are comprehensive and address root causes. Prioritize feedback based on its impact and relevance. This analytical approach transforms stakeholder input into actionable insights, guiding problem-solving strategies with precision. By rigorously analyzing and synthesizing feedback, problem solvers ensure that their responses are informed, nuanced, and effectively meet the needs and expectations of the diverse stakeholders involved.

One can use the following process to analyze and synthesize feedback: 1. Group feedback into common themes or categories. 2. Identify key insights that align with business goals. 3. Look for recurring patterns or trends in the feedback. 4. Understand the context behind each piece of feedback. 5. Formulate actionable strategies based on the analysis. 6. Share synthesized insights

Looking out for gaps particularly for complex sectors where there are several stakeholder groups. - gaining a cross section, demographics and roles. - Going back to the problem to solve, the objectives. Compare the feedback with current practices, processes, what is the data saying? What is perception vs reality - Addressing and mitigating bias, this may skew the feedback and lead to suboptimal decisions. So develop awareness and techniques to be objective - validation and playback, feedback from stakeholders can be an iterative process. Refine it over time, ensure that there is accuracy and fairness

Brainstorm diverse solutions, considering the varied perspectives offered by stakeholders. Prioritize options based on stakeholder input and potential impact. Rigorously evaluate each solution against feasibility, effectiveness, and alignment with stakeholder expectations. This methodical approach ensures that the chosen solution is both practical and responsive to the diverse needs identified through stakeholder feedback. By involving stakeholders in the generation and evaluation of options, problem solvers cultivate a sense of collective ownership and increase the likelihood of implementing solutions that resonate with the broader range of perspectives involved in the problem-solving process.

It can be easy to skew your results by allowing the team’s perspective to dominate the options available at this point in the problem solving process. Success will depend upon keeping close to your stakeholders’ point of view. Understanding the voice of the customer can be difficult because their frame of reference can be very different from the team. The solution will need to be rooted in the stakeholders’ world but transformed by the skills and knowledge of the team. Having diverse voices within the team can help broaden the solutions and, in doing so, make the solutions more robust.

Effective problem-solving with stakeholders centres on open, regular communication. It's vital to relay both positive progress and challenges consistently. A data-driven, structured approach to feedback can reveal valuable insights, allowing strategic decisions and initiatives to align closely with stakeholder expectations and/or the business requirements.

Approaches like structured brainstorms, design sprints and co-creation sessions help convert stakeholder perspectives into original ideas for consideration. Evaluation criteria based directly on the wants and issues identified through community engagement initiatives ensure the viability of resulting options.

Depending on the problem you are trying to tackle, resources available and the desired outcome. A balance between being agile and versatile with a systematic approach. There are a number of problem solving tools, and they can be tailored to fit the context and requirements, it’s key to also check that the method chosen aligns with the business and stakeholder needs. Some examples, Root Cause Analysis (RCA) - if the problem is not as apparent Brainstorming- if the problem is open ended or creative solutions might be needed Design Thinking user-centric problems, then needs and empathizing with the user Lean Methodology- useful for process efficiency or focusing on quality control

Implement the chosen solution methodically, ensuring seamless integration and addressing identified issues. Simultaneously, institute a robust monitoring system to track the solution's effectiveness. Regularly assess its impact on stakeholders and project objectives. Solicit ongoing feedback to detect any emerging concerns. This dynamic process ensures that the implemented solution remains responsive and adaptive. By combining implementation with vigilant monitoring, problem solvers not only address immediate challenges but also cultivate a proactive environment, capable of swift adjustments, continuous improvement, and sustained stakeholder satisfaction.

When solutions have been implemented, they need to be monitored using effective and transparent systems and processes to ensure the results and outputs to be discussed are not compromised or questionable. The tools used to monitor must not be questionable, they need to be robust and trustworthy tools that are tried and tested and will show true results of convincing and decisive success or failure.

In addition to metrics, transparency is the key. Keeping the stakeholders in lock and step with the problem solving effort helps not only in making sure the solution works but also helps gain their trust.

In my experience, blending stakeholder feedback is key for nailing effective problem-solving! Picture a strong starting document that fully captures what stakeholders say and the project needs. It not only guides the team on tasks but also makes rolling out solutions smoother. From there, keeping tabs on progress with friendly indicators, ongoing feedback, and easy-to-read dashboards keeps the whole team in sync with what stakeholders want. This not only makes sure the final product is accepted, but also makes putting our problem-solving plans into action a breeze for a more actionable and cohesive result throughout the project lifecycle.

Reflect on the entire problem-solving process, assessing the effectiveness of chosen solutions. Solicit feedback on the implemented measures from stakeholders, gauging their satisfaction and identifying areas for improvement. Embrace a continuous learning approach, analyzing successes and shortcomings. This reflective practice not only enhances future problem-solving but also fosters a culture of adaptability and responsiveness to stakeholder needs. By reviewing and learning from the problem-solving journey, organizations refine their strategies, ensuring that each challenge becomes an opportunity for improvement and an avenue for meeting stakeholder expectations more effectively.

Retrospective is an important exercise to reflect on what worked and what did not and how the process can be made better. In addition, never forget to celebrate the successes and the failures encountered during the problem solving process.

Como parte del aprendizaje de los procesos de resolución de problemas aplicados, es importante el destacar casos de éxito en los que una gestión efectiva de las partes interesadas condujo a resultados positivos, asimismo utilizar estas historias como ejemplos inspiradores dentro de la organización ya que al aplicar estas ideas, se podrá mejorar la comprensión y gestión de las partes interesadas en cualquier proyecto o problema que se enfrente.

In the end we’re talking people here. All of us are driven by the set of values we find most important. It’s likely my values are different from yours making it plausible we don’t make decisions in the same way / support the same directions. UNLESS… we manage to speak in the language of our stakeholders and truly involve them in the creation of our solutions. To speak the same language you have to listen first. And then be willing to change the shape of your solution. Try to have fun while you’re at it!

I view stakeholder feedback as the compass guiding a strategic journey. Early engagement is not just a practice; it's a commitment to understanding diverse perspectives. Thorough analysis serves as a map, helping teams navigate challenges and identify unforeseen opportunities. Embracing different viewpoints is a cornerstone of an innovation based strategy which further fosters a culture of continuous improvement.

As part of the stakeholder feedback it’s also important to perform active listening to identify what was said and understood about the problem. As also mentioned by other contributors it is always a good idea to proactively engage the stakeholder in all stages of this exercise.

Here's what I found useful when engaging senior stakeholders. At the core of this, it is both an art as much as it is an informed approached. Knowing how to manage and diffuse escalation is core to the art of dealing with people. Those stakeholders at the end of the day are driven by wants and concerns which need to be dealt with in a compassion-first approach. No matter what the situation is, people will cooperate and feel at ease once they witness your genuine intentions and kindness towards them, and nothing can be resolved in conflict promotion. It all boils down to you being authenically humane while striving to create win-win situations for all and if that is not attained, your kindness will remain remembered.

In my opinion, stakeholder feedback is a very critical element that helps in problem shaping, gives ability to find the most impactful probable causes and eventually the most negatively impacting root causes. Then it helps to choose the specific action that creates the most positive impact in solutioning. It is also important to note that, if stakeholders have to be part of the solution, they have to be engaged deeply at all stages consistently.