PROBLEM SOLVING THIS WAY
As we go into 2021 it is important to know that we are chasing a resource called time. It goes by at a huge cost and nothing can reverse it. this means in solving our day to day challenges. In the past I used to think the process of solving problems was linear but experience has taught me that it is more of a puzzle. So for example in my life as a comedian chef, creative, hotelier, speaker I have been solving a number of problems and now as we embark on a Rural TouriZIM experience I realise we were piecing together a giant jigsaw puzzle all along. I have split the solution process into puzzle pieces named Critique, Curate, Create, Collaborate, Consequence and Correction
Critique - What do we want
When we first encounter a problem we rarely CRITIQUE it besides just making an emotional judgement of how we feel about it. This approach leads to a slipper slope of mis diagnosis of what the problem actually is. Critiquing a problem is to dissect and study it thoroughly to know the problem very well to articulate it. Ask any two people about a problem and they will give you an entirely different diagnosis.
Curate - What do we know
Once we have studied the problem we need to know enough information we can put together about it. Curation is the process of finding out if there problem has ever occurred anywhere else before. Its collecting statistical data. Its getting expert opinions. This is not the time for solutions but there must be a habit to collect information.
Create - What is the solution
Creation is a very undemocratic process. It’s usually a small group company or individual that figures out something on their own based on the problem well presented before them. Creation is picking up on a clue and saying “OH EMM GEE!” thats what it is about.
Collaborate - How do we do this?
You now need to figure out how to get buy in. This is the inclusive nature of a solution that says here is something and how do you think we can go about implementing it. Different models are employed here in figuring out working teams, financing options.
Consequences - How is it working?
Once you are implementing a new idea you must know the consequences of each of your actions to the current situations. Not all ideas are good. sometimes there is something good about inefficiencies. for example in rural communities as the women would go to the well it was an opportunity to catch up with other women give advice. so putting taps in the homes has consequences on a sub culture. Not to say it is wrong but be aware.
Corrections - Can we do it better?
At this point you make corrections on your idea the prototype always becomes something different. It gets better or theres compromises but it certainly is an improvement either way.
The beauty with this system is that you can see where you are building a solution but in between steps you can still start new processes and keep them on file because often you will hit a brick wall and need to take a different approach. Problems, Ideas and Solutions are not linear. They are more of a puzzle of putting smaller pieces together towards a much bigger picture. so even when you reach the end, your solution has new problems you must solve and the process starts again.
