Organizations learning from doctors
I dare to affirm that there is a huge lack of Doctors in Organizations, let me explain. In my experience, I have been lucky enough to talk with leaders from different industries, and they have given me details of problems that they have lived with for many years, which they have tried to get off their backs, but they have not had success. We do not have to be very clever to understand that these problems have become a burden that has reduced speed, energy, encouragement, etc. In short, they have been decelerators and have caused them not to be able to focus on the tasks or projects that their strategy requires of them.
Next, I want to share the 6 steps to solve a problem effectively and how doctors apply them in each of their appointments.
1.- Collect information:
Gathering valuable data about the problem is the most basic stage when you want to determine what may be causing it.
I remember a visit to the Pediatrician when one of my children had a health problem. After the doctor's welcome, he began to question us about our visit and at the same time began to auscultate my son. I only told him of severe stomach pain, there were a group of additional questions about the types of food eaten in the last 24 hours. During this time, I observed with relative nervousness how He checked my son's ears, his weight, height, breathing, he touched his stomach under a certain technique, etc. So, what was the doctor doing? Very easily, he was gathering information that would help him to precisely know the possible causes of that severe stomach pain.
In organizations, we are not very adept at following this type of protocol, what we hear regularly is an accumulation of assumptions/judgments, in most cases without a basis that leads us to be completely lost from the beginning. With this, it is easy to forecast the type of alternatives that will be generated and the degree of assertiveness in solving the problem.
2.- Order the Information:
Structuring the data in such a way that it begins to give us clues as to what is happening. Graphics in their different options, matrixes, tables, etc.
After the pediatrician collected a large amount of data, he proceeded to write all the information he had in a notebook. For a few moments I saw him very thoughtful, the Doctor was ordering the valuable information to move on to the next stage.
To determine how developed we have this concept in Organizations, it is enough to analyze the degree of use that we give to the mentioned tools, it will surely surprise us. From my point of view, the maquiladora industry has greater maturity in this concept, they regularly develop statistical processes of a very good level.
3.- Analyze the information:
Observe the data already ordered and start with a series of information crosses in such a way that they begin to speak to us.
As I pointed out, the Pediatrician was thoughtful for a few moments until he broke the silence and walked toward us. I was able to realize that this period of time was dedicated to observing the information already ordered, crossing data, and reaching a conclusion.
It is important to develop the managerial ability of analysis in our Leaders, from my point of view a good Leader is capable of seeing through walls, that is, knowing what happens in a place without him being present, the above is you can come up with a good degree of analysis of the available data.
4.- Generate and Select Alternatives:
By knowing precisely, the causes of the problem, the next natural step is to generate alternatives and select the most viable one for the solution of the problem.
By this time the Pediatrician was ready to inform us of his conclusions. The cause for him was very clear, a medium-degree infection due to ingestion of bad food. He then listed a series of medications or treatments that would solve the problem, but, due to the degree of severity, he opted for two non-aggressive but effective medications for my son's body.
In organizations we can have access to apply different alternatives to mitigate a problem, it is advisable to take those that due to their cost, speed, and ease of installation, among others, are the most friendly and effective.
5.- Implementation and Monitoring:
The alternative selected must be applied or put into practice respecting a certain prioritization.
What remained, was to thank and pay for the services of the Pediatrician, our immediate task was to follow the instructions given and wait for the problem to gradually disappear.
In organizations, implementation is of particular importance. In addition, the complexity of the alternative solution will give us the depth with which we must address it. In my son's case, it was just consuming medicine and monitoring progress, in the organization, the task is much more complex, cost analysis, affected audiences, times, indicators to impact, etc. And most importantly, the least we can expect when applying any alternative solution is that current productivity levels are not affected.
6.- Learnings and Adjustments if the Problem continues:
The follow-up will provide us with learning and exact knowledge of the operation of the Alternatives applied.
I would surely have returned to the Pediatrician in case the treatment had not worked, then the doctor would have reconsidered his alternatives by assigning a new medication.
The same should happen in Organizations if things do not happen according to plan.
For all the above, it is that I affirm that we need more Doctors in Organizations, without a doubt medical schools have done a great job to empower their professionals with very effective methodologies when addressing a problem.
I hope this article has given you a clear introduction to Effective Troubleshooting.
Any doubts or comments I will be with the best disposition to receive them and to be able to give you an answer. Remember that I am at your service on my phone and/or social networks.
See you soon.
Pablo Gerardo Zayas Blanco
Cel 656 2375686