6 Ways to Improve Your Problem Solving Skills

As a Business Analyst, I have been very fortunate to have worked on a number of complex projects with an abundance of problems that required solving. Having had the privilege of working with some amazing, positive people, together we have experienced the sense of satisfaction and achievement you get when the problem is solved.

Many people try to avoid problematic situations, but I see them as a challenge and this has allowed me to master some basic skills to help me become a more efficient problem solver.

There are hundreds of books and articles available on problem solving but I wanted to share my approach to problem solving with you today that you can adopt to help you look at problem solving from a different perspective and maybe add to your own problem solving skills.

“Every problem is a gift. Without them we wouldn’t grow” – Tony Robbins

1.      Understanding the problem

This may sound obvious, but the truth is, many problems remain unsolved because the problem itself has not been understood. Take the time to really get to the bottom of the problem. So often we find ourselves spending time trying to solve the wrong problem. Ask yourself the fundamental questions about the problem and keep probing until you fully understand the problem and the desired outcome. When you have fully understood the correct problem, the solution will follow.

“If I had an hour to solve a problem I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about the solution” ~ Albert Einstein

2.      Visualisation

Try to picture the process and where the problem fits in. It is amazing how drawing up the problem pictorially can change your perspective. Keep the drawing simple and just add to the complexity until you fully understand and can relay this to others around you. Use a flip chart, PowerPoint, Visio or even a piece of paper. Never shy away from drawing things up on the fly. Remember, some people understand complex problems by the use of bullet points and written description whilst others require pictures to understand. That is just the way our own unique brain works.

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein

3.      Don’t be a know it all

Try to understand the fundamentals of the process relating to the problem. It is very easy, when we have been in roles for many years, to believe we know everything. Try to get out of this mindset set because if you did know everything, you would already know the problem, cause and of course, the solution. Ask all the basic questions to really get to the bottom of the problem and make sure you have absolute clarity as to what you are attempting to solve.

“Solving problems means listening.” – Richard Branson

4.      Identify the root cause

It is all too easy to find yourself concentrating on the symptoms of the problem rather than looking for the root cause. When you think you have fully identified the problem but have not identified the cause, then think again. You cannot fully solve the problem if you do not address the cause.

Say for example, your car breaks down and there is steam coming from under the bonnet, you check the radiator and it is empty. You have now assessed the problem is the radiator. This may not be the case as you have not yet identified the cause. When you look closer you find a pipe has become disconnected at the bottom of the radiator allowing the water to flow out. The problem is the pipe not the radiator.

“If you are unable to understand the cause of a problem, it is impossible to solve it.” – Naoto Kan

5.      Keep your solutions simple but creative

Keep your solution as simple as possible. The more complex you make the solution, the more can go wrong in the future. Always consider several solutions if possible. Keep looking at the problem from a different perspective. Think of the solution from the viewpoint of the end user, the customer, management, etc. This will allow to you identify the best solution for the maximum number of people.

“Problems are nothing but wake-up calls for creativity” – Gerhard Gschwandtner

6.      Positivity

Stay positive. The minute you start bringing in negativity, the harder it becomes to find a solution. If you stay positive in knowing you will be able to solve this problem, you will allow inspiration to flow through your brain and the solution will come to you.

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