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15 Problem-Solving Techniques Every Employee Should Know
Problem-solving is a key skill for employees. They face day-to-day challenging tasks to handle complex problems which involve critical thinking to find the root cause of an issue and provide solutions.
Usually, the art of solving problems begins by clearly stating the problem for the solver and then searching for causes or solutions. If your team doesn’t have a clear plan, the attempt to tackle problems might be the worst situation. Good techniques help groups identify problems, think of solutions, and choose the best one.
In this blog, we’ll explore 15 problem-solving techniques. These methods can boost team productivity and decision-making at work.
How Important Problem-Solving Skills Are at Work
Problem-solving is the crucial element of improvement, change, and progress in the workplace. It is the process which helps companies adapt, seize opportunities, and overcome challenges.
It involves creating and refining day-to-day operations , finding possible solutions and, finally, the implementation of this approach. Strong problem-solving involves data collection, testing ideas, and evaluating results. It empowers employees and teams to improve their work.
DID YOU KNOW?
A survey by Wonderlic found 93% of employers value problem-solving skills highly when hiring.
15 Problem-Solving Techniques in Programming: Thinking Outside the Box
Here are 15 essential techniques for every employee:
1. Clearly Define the Problem
- Start with clarity: Gather information, ask questions, and make sure you understand the situation before any conclusions are drawn.
- Analogy: Just like in solving a puzzle, one must learn about all the pieces in order to see the whole picture.
2. Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
- Go deep—not wide: Treat the cause, not just the symptoms.
- Preventing recurrence: treating the main problem means you have ensured your solution lasts.
- Analogy: Don’t fix a leaky pipe, but find and fix the leak.
3. Brainstorming
- Nurture nonconformity: Your team should come together to generate as wide a range of solutions as possible.
- Generate quantity: will help to reach quality.
- Analogy: Like in a treasure hunt, collecting multiple clues allows one to make a discovery.
4. SWOT Analysis
- The SWOT analysis: Analyse through SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) to assess the full picture.
- Strategic advantage: use the information to reduce risk and increase success.
- Analogy: It’s like journey planning, where all routes should be analysed for pros and cons before choosing one.
5. 5 Whys
- Ask ”Why?” five times: that is how to drill down to the real cause from the repeated questioning of the issue.
- Uncover layers that are hidden.
- Analogy: Like peeling an onion, once peeled, it produces more insight.
Sakichi Toyoda: “By asking five times ‘why’, one can discover the true nature of problems and their solutions.”
6. Six Thinking Hats
- Six different lenses: logic, emotion, caution, optimism, creativity, and control.
- Facilitates thinking as a whole for balanced decision-making.
- Analogy: It’s like looking at a shining diamond from all directions to weigh its brilliance.
7. Trial and Error
- Testing, observing, learning, and repeating: This works best when a solution does not have obvious solutions.
- Iterative learning: leads to refinement.
- Analogy: It is like putting in puzzle pieces until the right one clicks.
8. The 80/20 Rule: Pareto Principle
- Focus on the 20% of causes that deliver 80% of results.
- Maximise impact with minimal effort.
- Analogy: do the corners of a puzzle first; these give the structure to the rest.
9. Using Analogical Thinking
- When solving a current problem, use the solution from similar previous problems.
- Make an attempt to approach one’s solution in terms of what one already knows.
- Analogy: Solving a new riddle by using a previously solved one as a reference.
10. Decision Matrix
- Allows the evaluation of multiple options by assigning weighting criteria to make the comparison.
- Objectivity: improves confidence in decisions.
- Analogy: If you want to compare ratings, distance, and price to choose a restaurant.
11. The GROW model
- Set a Goal: assess Reality, explore Options, and determine the Will to act.
- It provides support in the most popular coaching and development contexts.
- Analogy: Like mapping a road trip; knowing where you are, where you are going, and how to reach that destination.
12. SCAMPER Technique
- Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Rearrange.
- This is a creative booster that challenges anyone’s way of thinking.
- Analogy: It is the greatest process for innovation and product development.
13. Lateral Thinking
- Get out of traditional logical thinking: Think in a non-linear, imaginative way.
- Disrupt and redefine assumptions to generate a new idea.
- Analogy: Like zig-zagging to find your way through a maze instead of following the old path.
14. Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa)
- Visually display the possible causes that can cause a problem.
- Identify categories for root causes (people, processes, materials, etc.).
- Analogy: Like examining a skeleton of an issue to get to its core.
15. Force Field Analysis
- Weigh out forces that drive a decision against those that restrain or act against a decision.
- Helps to determine feasibility and preparedness.
- Analogy: Tug-of-war – you win by increasing pull on your side or reducing resistance.
Research Insight:
In a survey of 156 CEOs, presidents, and business leaders by The Predictive Index.
37% of CEOs identified “finding the right talent” as their biggest challenge.
28% of CEOs cited both “building better operational processes” and “aligning my employees with our strategy” as major challenges.
Do your employees have the right tools for complex workplace problems?
Explore the 15 TechniquesHow AITD Can Help Your Organisation Excel
Learning different problem-solving techniques is key for employees to do well in their roles. By using both creative and analytical ways, people and teams can identify problems, find new solutions, and make significant changes to face challenges and help their teams succeed.
At the Amity Institute of Training and Development (AITD), mastering problem-solving is not only a skill but a superpower. AITD prides itself on redefining and coaching modern-day professionals and teams in the best techniques for innovative problem-solving and problem-solving coaching models.
Become a Workplace Problem-Solving Hero with AITD
Whether team leaders are or plan to be, the AITD training programmes will help your team to learn to think clearly and make decisive action in confidence.
Are you prepared to transform your team into out-of-the-box thinkers and creative problem-solvers?
Connect with AITD today and elevate your workplace success!
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Namit
Namit Chauhan is a skilled professional with experience in digital marketing, content creation, and business administration. He holds an MBA in IT & Finance from Amity University and a BBA in International Business. He has demonstrated abilities in developing and executing marketing campaigns, creating engaging content, and contributing to organisational goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to commonly asked questions about Amity.
What is problem-solving?
Problem-solving refers to the process of defining a problem, determining its cause, generating and evaluating potential solutions, and implementing the best course of action. It requires critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making.
Why are problem-solving skills important for employees?
Problem-solving skills are required across industries. The more critically and creatively the employees think, the more efficiently they will find and solve problems, which saves much time and resources for the organisation. Those skills are also very helpful in team and organisation growth.
How can problem-solving skills benefit the workplace?
Strong problem-solving skills are key for employees to take on bigger roles. This is because they show they can think critically and make good decisions. They bring solutions to the organisation.
How can employees try to learn about problem-solving techniques?
AITD has bespoke programs for training employees in hundreds of problem-solving techniques and programming. Keep up with AITD to get the resources and knowledge to be a problem-solving hero at work.
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