How can you improve communication with stakeholders using problem-solving skills?

Understanding a problem thoroughly is crucial, as it represents half the solution. Common pitfalls include integrating personal biases and rushing to solutions, often leading to suboptimal outcomes. It's essential to approach problems with an open mind, demonstrating patience and a willingness to critically examine any assumptions. Active listening and asking clarifying questions are key in achieving a complete understanding of the problem. This approach not only aids in crafting more effective solutions but also ensures a collaborative and trust-based problem-solving environment

In the identification of the problem you need to identify the boundary of the problem (Interface) and what is transacted across the interface and the limits of the Transactions. The identification should result in a clear understanding of what is included in the problem space and what is excluded from the problem space.

In this stage of problem solving, it is important to apply one's experience and present multiple cases related to the problem statement to the stakeholders. And once a consensus is reached on what exactly needs to be solved, the approach to solution should also be discussed and finalised. Additionally, communication skills of tech vs non-tech play a big role in deciding how quickly and efficiently ideas flow among all the stakeholders.

By asking probing questions and attentively absorbing their concerns.This active listening is crucial; it helps me understand the problem from their perspective.Once I've gathered their insights,I delve deeper into the root cause analysis.It's like peeling layers off an onion—I examine the visible symptoms and dig beneath the surface to identify the fundamental issue.This step is crucial in ensuring that I'm addressing the actual source of the problem, not just its manifestations.To facilitate this process, I utilize various problem-solving techniques. Frameworks like the 5 Whys or fishbone diagrams enable me to systematically dissect the problem, uncovering its origins.

From my experience, the biggest caveat is the "translation". Often stakeholders are not from tech, so they speak about their concerns differently Usually, this "translation" seems easy. In practice, however, it's a very difficult skill to master. So the biggest caveat is when we communicate the problem back to stakeholders to ensure that the translation is correct It's certainly a very bad idea to explain here how balancers and caches work. I suggest instead asking yourself: "What will change in the end product once this problem is fixed?". The answer to this should then be presented. The problem is identified correctly only if everyone agrees this is what they're looking for. Otherwise, we have to dig deeper with clarifying questions

If the problem is made up of multiple causes, it may be necessary to prioritise which elements you are going to try to tackle; which causes are impacting the problem most, or which problems are causing the biggest headache. You may not be in a position to tackle all of the problems from the get go.

Once I've identified the core issue through active listening and validation with stakeholders, the next step is to analyze it from various angles. I gather all available data, facts, and information related to the problem. This step is crucial; it's akin to collecting puzzle pieces scattered across the board.Then, I sort through these pieces meticulously, looking for patterns, connections, and discrepancies. I categorize and organize the information, searching for correlations or trends that might shed light on the root cause. This phase resembles arranging puzzle pieces to create a coherent image—I'm piecing together bits of information to form a comprehensive understanding of the problem.

Analyzing the problem effectively is?key to?finding the right solution. Think of?it?like being a?detective: you gather all the clues (data and feedback) and then connect the dots. Break the big problem into smaller pieces, making it?easier to?manage, like solving a?puzzle. This helps to understand the real issue, not just what’s on?the surface. Clear and simple communication ensures everyone understands the problem, building trust and collaboration.

Além de gerar solu??o é extremamente importante dar transparência aos benefícios atrelados a mesma. Para participa??o dos stakeholders e ado??o da solu??o eles precisam enxergar o que está solu??o melhorará as suas vidas, é este um dos principais fatores que movem as pessoas. Solu??o de problemas é apenas o “curar a ferida” mas hoje em dia precisamos ir além, precisamos prover melhora e qualidade de vida através das mudan?as em negócios e processos.

Not everything needs to be invented. When approaching big problem, break it down to smaller ones, then you may found solutions for many of them, and all you need to develop is how to integrate them and make them work together.

It can be important to bring in diverse perspectives to support the development of creative and innovative solutions. Tools such as an options appraisal can be useful to weigh up multiple options.

Once I've deeply analyzed the issue, it's time to brainstorm potential fixes. I gather stakeholders and team members to explore various avenues, encouraging diverse perspectives and creative ideas. It's like planting seeds in a garden—cultivating a fertile ground for solutions to sprout.Each potential solution undergoes rigorous evaluation. I assess their feasibility, considering factors like resources, timelines, and impact on stakeholders. Just like picking the ripest fruit from the tree, I prioritize solutions that are practical and have a high probability of success. Communication plays a pivotal role here. I articulate the proposed solutions clearly, highlighting their benefits and potential drawbacks.

It's important to know that choosing the right solution is not always choosing the best solution. The right solution always needs to have most of the stakeholders on board, and must be taken within a right amount of time. As they say, a late decision is as good as no decision.

The problem often holds the solution in itself. Sometimes multiple. When communicating to stakeholders, it is very important to understand the audience and “speak what they could understand and resonate with”.

"selling" the right solution is as great part of the task as developing or choosing the one correct decision. Stakeholders are people, prone to verious biases and ego-related opinion skeweness.

Prior to implementing the solution it’s important to think about how you will measure and monitor its success. What measures or KPIs can you identify that will help you in the evaluation stage? It may be necessary to establish baselines prior to implementation in order to have a comparison.

it's time to put plans into motion. I work closely with stakeholders,outlining clear steps, responsibilities, and timelines. It's like orchestrating a symphony—every instrument (or team member) plays their part harmoniously. Communication remains key throughout this phase. I keep stakeholders updated on progress, addressing concerns,and celebrating milestones.Transparency and regular updates build trust and keep everyone aligned toward achieving the common goal. I remain adaptable. Unexpected hurdles might arise, but by staying flexible and responsive, I ensure that the implementation stays on track. It's about navigating rough waters with resilience and agility,adjusting sails when needed to reach the desired destination

Stakeholders should also form part of the evaluation process; conducting a lessons learned exercise with stakeholders to capture what went well and what could be improved will support future iterations of the solution as well as provide important learning to take forward into future projects

Evaluating a?solution is?like reflecting on?a?journey. It’s crucial to?check if?the solution met its goals. Involve stakeholders in?this review. Ask, ?Did it?work as?expected? What can we?improve?? This feedback loop is?essential. It’s not just about celebrating success but learning from the process and planning better for next time. Think of?it?as?a?cycle of?continuous improvement, always aiming to?do?better.

Being able to communicate in a way that everyone understands is key. Not everyone maybe across the issue and/or familiar with the jargon. Explaining it in lay man terms usually makes a big difference to the overall communication experience!

Communication is?key at?every step. It’s like a?bridge between you and your stakeholders. Keep them in?the loop, not just with updates, but also by?seeking their opinions and ideas. This builds trust and makes them feel valued. Not once, by?simply asking for feedback, we?found a?small suggestion from a?stakeholder that significantly improved our project. It’s those small contributions that sometimes make the biggest difference.