How to solve the problem that you don’t understand completely…!

I was thinking the other day what could be the best way to manage unknown problem. The problem we don’t understand completely or getting familiar with time.

The uncanny things about such problems is that these are so involved that it makes it difficult to find their starting point. In order to start, first break your understanding of problems into several chunks and identify the start point based on the objective you want to accomplish. Then break problems into small compartments and see if there is any correlation among these in order to identify a similar chunk of issues or to put them in order (prioritization), however, please ensure that all these problems are dealt in isolation. We know that we are not anywhere close to solution and we also understand that there can’t be a fix solution to it as we are not aware of all facets linked to this problem. It means that we need to make and break mould many a times in the process to get the right shape. I have a strong belief that it will create great uncertainty in people’s mind who are looking up to you to solve the problem? What can be done to have their trust and further earn their respect even though you know deep down in your heart that this may or may not be the solution to the problem?

Whatever solution you may come up with will either solve or partially solve your problem. But people expect final solution that too in one attempt, which happen ones in millions times. Hence, to have people’s trust have open and to the point communication where if you come across bizarre outcomes during the process of finding solution everyone is aware of it and try them if you can involve in the process of finding solution, implementing solution. May be they are sitting at the periphery of it. You aim is to avoid any ambiguity and ensure that everyone talks the same language. Any deviation found should be sort out then and there to bring out clarity for everyone related to the problem. Every guideline or directives shared should be lucid.

People who are implementing directives should be aware of their responsibilities and boundaries and who to reach out to have clarity if there is any ambiguity. Everyone does the job one is responsible for the moment one commits an error it’s notified and get it fixed as per the guidelines. Doesn’t it sound so simple and straight forward? It’s simple if we really do it being one force.

Nonetheless in the process, there might be some ill forces or noises, which will deviate you from finding the solution. One need to have a strong monitoring and data collection mechanism to find out the issues at the earliest that can be achieved through impeccable organization structure and data analysis. Technology will pay dividends in this journey.

In short, we need better understanding of the problem that might develop with time, open and clear communication, clear directives and guidelines; use technology/ messengers to take the message to the roots, an organized team to collect data points, monitor, analyze, resolve, implement, and don’t forget to share feedback. And above all you need a great leader to govern this solution.

Do you relate it to something you recently experienced?