The TRUTH of Solving Problems

Any problem can be solved with the right resources, people, and time. The key is to address it as soon as possible. The earlier you act, the better your chances of success. Conversely, delay and it might cost you dearly.? Without intervention, almost any problem will begin to spiral downward quickly. The quicker you can address it the more options you generally have.

Success in solving problems begins with identifying the problem. While this might seem obvious, one of the greatest failures is in identifying the source of the problem. By analyzing the components of a problem and breaking them down into manageable parts you may get to a full understanding sooner. Most problems can seem extremely large and unsolvable if looked at in total. As you break them down into smaller, more actionable parts they become more manageable and solvable.

This is the point that you start applying resources, both knowledgeable and human. Research and experience provide understanding and solutions. Almost every problem has been faced previously and you do not have to go it alone. Often the problem is knowing what questions to ask and where to go to find answers. You need to also determine what aspects of the problem are facts and which are assumptions.

The next step is to define a specific strategy for solving the problem. The approach taken will vary with the unique properties of the problem, but they basically break down into two strategies.

• Heuristics ?are mental shortcuts that are often based on solutions that have worked in the past. They can work well if the problem is like something you have encountered before and are often the best choice if you need a fast solution.
• Algorithms ?are step-by-step strategies that are guaranteed to produce a correct result. While this approach is great for accuracy, it can also consume time and resources.

How you move forward may also be based upon the number of resources you have available.? At this stage, it is important to consider all the factors that might affect the problem at hand. This includes looking at the available resources, deadlines that need to be met, and any possible risks involved in each solution. After careful evaluation, a decision can be made about which solution to pursue.

Now it is time to act. This step might involve trying out different solutions to see which one is the most effective. You may need to make adjustments or even reverse your course as you learn from the actions being taken. Remember Edison once said that his problem-solving process was to find a thousand ways that did not work.

Finally, make sure you repay the knowledge and wisdom of others by sharing your experiences. Experience, they say, is the best teacher. Most of us have difficulty with this step because we have difficulty with admitting that we have problems. We are embarrassed and ashamed to admit that we do not have all the answers. We have a problem with asking for help, so we are not very quick to say that we have answers others may want or need. ?

There have been thousands of books written about problem solving and hundreds of methods or processes offered. What works for you? It is often the simplest and most straight forward approach. The real battle might just be in believing that the problem can be solved.