Effective Problem Solving
Effective Problem Solving
Problem
Solving & Decision
M aking
EFFECTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION
MAKING
Job Outcomes
c omplex problems.
Distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant
information to make logical judgments.
Develops new insights into situations and applies innovative solutions to make organizational
improvements.
informed decisions.
Learning Objectives
Evaluate alternative solutions and select the best one based on available
data.
Definition of a Problem: A problem exists when there is a gap between what you expect to
happen and what actually happens.
Definition of Decision Making: Decision making is selecting a course of action from among
available alternatives.
1
Define the
Problem
2
Create Alternative
Solution Decision Making
s
3
Evaluate
alternatives
and select one
4
Implement and follow
up on the solution
1
Define the
Problem Diagnose a situation so that the focus is on the real problem, not
just on its symptoms. Symptoms become evident before the
problem does.
As a practical matter, this means that most of the problems we face (and decisions we make)
are done in “one step” fashion. We use existing knowledge, experience and skill to address issues
that are usually similar to – but not identical – many of the problems, decisions and issues we
have faced over time.
If a problem-solver can handle 75% to 80% of the issues he or she faces using experience and
current knowledge, doing so allows the problem solver to address issues efficiently. Put another
way, there is not enough time nor energy to use a structured, time-consuming problem solving
process to address each and every problem faced over a working career.
Efficiency in Step 1/Define the Problem means using the 4-step problem solving process on the
right problems in the first place.
Two guidelines to help problem solvers “choose the right problems” to solve:
Causes of Problems
Common categories of problem causes include:
Peopl
e
Problem solvers need not limit themselves to these categories. There may be more or fewer
categories, depending on the work group.
Ask “5 Whys”:
Put the answers to the first why on some flip chart paper for all to see,
with plenty of spac e between them.
Record each answer near its parent (the “why” that it came from).
Most likely, the answers will begin to converge—where 10 or 12 separate symptoms may
be traced back to the root cause.
As the whys are traced back to their root causes, it may become clear that the problem
is not just a single event or a single person’s decision—it is larger than that and has
been around for quite a while.
To be most effective, the answers to the “5 Whys” must not blame individuals. No real change
occurs when blaming happens, and the root cause of the problem will still exist.
When determining who should be involved in the problem solving process, four situational
factors
should be c onsidered.
Time – The problem-solver must determine if there is enough time to use the work group as
par- ticipants in the process.
Capability – Does the work group have the ability and willingness to be involved?
Notes
“I’ll decide.” The problem-solver makes the decision alone and announces it
after the fact. An explanation of the reason for the decision may be given. This
option is also used when the supervisor has no choice or flexibility regarding the
problem to be solved—he/she is following orders and transmits the orders to
the work group.
“Let’s talk, then I’ll decide.” The problem-solver consults the group for
information and then makes the decision. Consulting the group could be done
all at once at a meeting, or one-on-one if necessary. Before implementing the
decision, the supervisor explains the rationale behind it, and attempts to
convince the work group of the benefits. The problem-solver may invite
questions and have a discussion.
“Let’s talk, then we’ll decide.” The problem-solver may present a tentative
decision to the group and ask for input. If the decision needs changing, it is
changed based on group participation and input. This option does not require
voting, yet voting is one way to use the participative option. Another way could
be that the group convinces the problem-solver of something, and he/she
makes changes based on that strong belief by the (capable) group.
“You decide.” The problem-solver presents the situation to the group and
describes the criteria, resources, or outcomes limiting it. The group does the
problem solving and decision making. The problem-solver may join the group in
the process.
CREATE ALTERNATIVE
SOLUTIONS
2 Create Alternative
Once a problem has been defined, the next step is to create
alternative solutions.
Solutions
Good alternative solutions take into account both short and long-term issues.
Brainstorming
Nominal grouping
Brainstorming
“Freewheeling” is Quantity is
welcome welcomed
The sole purpose of brainstorming is creating ideas. When brainstorming, people often will mentally
evaluate the ideas being discussed, yet is it important not to evaluate them out loud during the
discussion.
Typically, many of the ideas created are impractical due to the nature of the problem itself. Also,
the brainstorming process (see the Brainstorming Guidelines below) is free-wheeling and
may result in some interesting yet impractical ideas. Impractical ideas will be eliminated when
problem solvers move to Step 3 and evaluate alternatives based on standards and criteria. For that
reason, each participant in a brainstorming discussion should work on “not evaluating” - the really
bad or impractical ideas will be eliminated in Step 3, so it is proper to avoid evaluating (a Step 3
activity) while doing Step 2.
Brainstorming creates a large number of ideas (high quantity) from which a few good solutions
(high quality) will emerge, leading to the desirable outcome of picking a solution in Step 3 that best
solves the problem.
Brainstorming Guidelines
“Freewheeling” is welcome.
Quantity is wanted.
Group Activity
Brainstorm ways that you can cope with the changes that are occurring at
work.
The primary benefit of nominal grouping is that it reduces the inhibiting effects of group
interaction when generating alternatives. Also, it is proactive rather than reactive because it
requires people to create their own ideas. Using this technique may help when a group is
brand-new (i.e., have not had time to develop as a group). Nominal grouping is also useful
when the work group is a mix of new employees and veterans because it tends to limit the “us
vs. them” dynamic that some- times occurs in groups.
Individuals (fewer than 10) are brought together and familiarized with a problem, such
as “What alternatives are available for increasing a certain output of the work group?”
Each group member is asked to work silently and alone to prepare a list of ideas to
solve the problem.
A period of structured interaction follows during which group members openly discuss
and evaluate each recorded idea. At this stage ideas may be reworded, combined,
deleted, or added.
Each member votes, privately ranking the recorded ideas in order of perceived
importance. Following a brief discussion of the outcome of the vote, one more private
vote is conducted. The group’s preference is finally determined by the total of the
ranked votes.
3
Evaluate
alternatives This step involves the careful weighing of the pros and cons of
and select one
the proposed alternatives in order to make a final selection.
Decision makers need to be sure that the alternatives are
judged in terms of the extent to which they will solve the problem without causing other
unanticipated problems. Judging alternatives means that people are using criteria –
standards or requirements that are important to solving the problem – in order to select
the best alternative(s).
Alternatives are evaluated only until one is found that is “satisfactory,” then it is
implemented. This means there are likely to be alternatives that do not get
evaluated, since the process is finished when one that is “good enough” is
found.
This process is usually faster, since the decision maker is trading quality for speed
on purpose. The risk is a lower quality decision that is less effective.
Current Reality
So, Paul has a turnover problem and a morale problem with the FIs who are still with him.
Also he has no senior staff/lead workers he can effectively delegate things to at the
moment, unless you consider his 18-month FI a “veteran,” and the overall performance of
his Region is barely adequate only because he is out in the field himself.
Optimal approac h
To achieve the best decision in a given situation, alternatives are identified and
evaluated with respect to decision criteria, and the best available alternative solution
(the optimum one) that meets those criteria is c hosen.
Choosing the optimum solution takes more time than the other approach (the satisfactory
approach), yet in the long run the quality and effectiveness of the decision is likely to be
higher since the decision maker is examining all of the available choices.
This process is slower than the satisfactory approach, since the decision maker is trading a
longer amount of time in order to gain quality. The risk is a higher quality decision that is
too late.
Select
and Does one meet the
Define Create evaluate criteria better than Implement
problem alternatives all all the others?
against Ye
criteria s
No
Decision Criteria
The function of criteria is to provide a detailed description of what is required for a successful decision
and to serve as a performance c hec k on the alternatives c reated in Step 2.
Most individual decision-making is done in a “semi-automatic” way, that is, without a lot of conscious
thought given to the standards and requirements that exist around an issue that will lead us to choose
one alternative over another. This is normal and necessary for a lot of individual decisions. It is also
often done in a work setting, where the decision-maker has to make many small or medium decisions in
a work day. The rapid pace and semi-conscious nature of such decision-making will probably not
benefit from a change toward some other decision-making approach.
When agency issues face us in a way that indicates a decision is going to involve many factors, a more
open and sturdy process is necessary. A process that involves discussing and writing criteria so all the
nec- essary information is out on the table — in writing — allowing for a free flow of information.
The policies, rules, regulations, goals, objectives, etc. of the agency and the work unit.
Characteristics of criteria
Includes consideration of factors that affect the decision, e.g., how likely is it that X will
happen or how much risk is there if we do X or do not do Y?
Written criteria is probably not necessary for most individual decisions and for small decisions with few
alter- natives and few separate characteristics of the alternatives. However, when decision-making is
part of 4- step problem solving, or is a standalone activity that will affect the work unit’s productivity,
employee mo- rale, the work processes at work, or the budget, the decision criteria should be plainly
written, specific enough to measure, and done in writing.
They must have clear, measurable statements of limitation, so that the elimination of
unsatisfactory alternatives is quick and relatively painless.
There are specific boundaries and constraints necessary for making a successful choice.
They are a form of protection for the decision maker because they restrict the decision
to alternatives that provide at least minimal success (i.e., failure to satisfy a limit makes
an alternative impossible to consider).
Desirables
The factors that are left over after the decision maker chooses the factors that are limits.
“Nice to have” instead of “need to have” (see the table below where there is a decision
to be made about renting an apartment)
Close to grocery
store
How to Begin Writing Decision Criteria
List the general fac tors to be c onsidered.
Once this list is built, convert it to criteria by completing this phrase for each of the factors on
the list: “Whatever I (or we) choose should . . .”
Organize the information about alternative solutions into a matrix to provide a comparison of the
in- formation about each alternative from Step 2 against the limits established in Step 3.
Use a “go/no-go” approach when comparing each alternative’s information against the limits.
If an alternative meets all of the limits then it is a “go” for further consideration. If not, it
must be disc arded as an alternative (“no-go”).
Use ranked desirables to finalize the decision if you have more than one alternative remaining after
comparing alternatives to the limits. Desirables are ranked #1, #2, #3, etc., and the decision is
made if one remaining alternative is better at desirable #1. If there is a tie, the comparison
continues using desirable #2, etc.
Using the information from the following table, a decision maker can create a matrix and make
comparisons of alternatives to the required limits, and if necessary, to the desirables (see next page).
Apartment Choices
#14 Bloom St #27 Phister Ave #32 Gate Ln #55 Pine Ct
Go No Go No Go No Go No
Go
Go Go Go
Limits
$1650 $1638 $1650 $1618
No Lease 1 yr lease 1yr lease 1 yr lease
2 bdrm 2 bdrm 3 bdrm 2 bdrm
Desirables
Secure
Price
Bus
Grocery
If a group is making the decision, they must be capable of engaging in an objective discussion
and evaluation of the desirability of each remaining alternative solution and its potential risks.
Using criteria limits to filter out the unacceptable alternatives, leaving several acceptable ones for
further comparison using criteria desirables to pick the best solution.
MAKING AN OPTIMAL
DECISION
STEP 3 Evaluate alternative solutions and pick one.
Desirables Use Desirables to make a final decision if more than one alternative remains after using
(ranked by the go/no-go Limits. If there is a tie for the highest ranking on Desirables #1, go on to
priority) #2, #3, etc., until you have one alternative that wins.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Follow-up not only sustains implementation, but also serves as a way to get feedback and
gain information that can be used to improve future problem solving. Below are some
guidelines for implementation:
Provide opportunities for feedback on how well the solution is addressing the
problem.
Gain acceptance of the solution by those who are affected by the problem.
Evaluate success based on how well the solution solved the problem, not on
some side benefits which may have left the problem unsolved.
IMPLEMENTATION
STRATEGY
Strategy to implement the solution:
Task 1
Task 2
Task 3
Task 4
Task 5
The tasks to be managed are the steps that complete the implementation. Following up on these
tasks with a written plan helps to assure that necessary deadlines are met. Follow-up is easier to do
when steps are written down in a format that helps the problem solver easily identify what will be
done, who will do it, when it will be done, and what resources are needed.
These issues are also dealt with earlier in Step 3. If the work group members are capable, they will
want some input into the problem solving process. Experienced, capable people will accept the re-
sponsibility that comes with participating in decision making. However, even when these
experienced, capable people don’t have any decision-making input they will still demonstrate
understanding (acceptance).
1 DEFINE THE
Ask “5 Whys.”
2 CREATE
PROBLEM ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS
REFERENCES
Alamo Consulting Group, Inc. Process Management Skills: Decision Making. Design and
development consultant: Margo Murray-Hicks. Walnut Creek, CA: The Alamo Consulting Group,
Inc. 1982
Bedeian, Arthur G. Management. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 1989.
Bittel, Lester R. and Newstrom, John W. What Every Supervisor Should Know: the Complete Guide
to Supervisory Management. New York: McGraw-Hill. 1990.
Certo, Samuel C. Supervision: Concepts and Skill Building. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher
Education. 2000.
Lussier, Robert N. Human Relations in Organizations: Applications and Skill Building. Boston:
Irwin/ McGraw-Hill. 1999.
Plunkett, Lorne C. and Hale, Guy A. The Proactive Manager: The Complete Book of Problem
Solving and Decision Making. New York: Wiley. 1982.
Senge, P.M.; Kleiner, A,; Roberts, C.; Ross, R.B.; Smith, B.J. The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook. New
York: Currency-Doubleday. 1994.