Problem Solving by Varduhi Surmalyan

Why solve problems For moveing from a given state to a desired goal state.

Problem Defined• A problem is simply the difference between what you

have and what you want. It may be a matter of getting something, of getting rid of something, of avoiding something, or of getting to know what you want.

• There can be problems as obstacles in the way of what we want to achieve. To succeed we must remove or overcome these obstacles.

• A problem is like a headache or a stone in your throat.

What are the seven steps of the Problem Solving Model?

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Problem Solving (PSM) Process

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2Step 7Verify if the problem has been resolved or not

Step 1Define the Problem

Step 22. Look at potential causes

Step 3Identify alternatives for approaches to resolve the problem

Step 4Select an approach to resolve the problem

Step 5 Plan the implementation of the best alternative

Step 6 Monitor implementation of the plan

1. Define the problem

•Appreciation - Extracting Maximum Information from Facts Asking 'so what?' repeatedly helps you to extract all

important information implied by a fact. • Verifying your understanding of the problems:• Prioritize the problems:

a. If you discover that you are looking at several related problems, then prioritize which ones you should address first. b. Note the difference between "important" and "urgent" problems. Important problems deserve more attention.

• Understand your role in the problem: If you're very stressed out, it'll probably look like others are. If you feel very guilty about your role in the problem, you may ignore the accountabilities of others.

2. Look at potential causes for the problem

Asking "why" repeatedly directs the focus toward real causes so problems can be solved permanently.

It's critical to get input from other people who notice the problem and who are effected by it. 

Thinking Outside the Box !

3. Identify alternatives for approaches to resolve the problem

• At this point, it's useful to keep others involved . Brainstorm for solutions to the problem. Brainstorming is collecting as many ideas as possible, then screening them to find the best idea. It's critical when collecting the ideas to not pass any judgment on the ideas. Celebrate diversity. Let others' ideas take you somewhere else. Combine, synergize, and improve upon ideas...

• It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.

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4. Select an approach to resolve the problem

ACTION EXERCISES

Here are two things you can do immediately to become a better problem solver and decision maker.

• Take some time to be absolutely clear about the problem that is under discussion. Give some thought to what an ideal decision or solution would accomplish. Instead of focusing on the situation as it is, talk about the situation, as you would like it to be.

• The more you think and talk about solutions, the more positive and creative everyone will be and the better ideas you will come up with.

• When selecting the best approach, consider:a. Which approach is the most likely to solve the problem for the long term?b. Which approach is the most realistic to accomplish for now? Do you have the resources? Are they affordable? Do you have enough time to implement the approach?c. What is the extent of risk associated with each alternative? 

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Turning Problems in Opportunities

• There's an old saying "There are no problems – only opportunities." So, change how you see your problems. To turn things around, start by focusing on finding a solution. Even if you don't come up with any answers immediately, when you accept that you will find a solution you'll begin to experience a shift. You'll go from feeling like you can't do anything to gaining confidence and "can-do" attitude.

• As you change your attitude and regularly start to look for solutions, as you continue to think of finding a solution you will begin to discover and attract unlimited opportunities.

When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work." – Thomas Edison

Given the situation you are in now as a starting point, consider various options: what opportunities for and a roadmap to ultimate success can you see or imagine?

Having looked at the scene from your view, look at it from different perspectives, try each of these views:

Positive Thinking

When you encounter a problem, try to look for the good points. Everything has at least one good point. Even sickness has its positive side. You get some extra rest or have more time to spend with your family or you use the period of recuperation as an opportunity to turn to "protection“.

You can become a positive thinker simply by becoming a solution-oriented person rather than a problem-oriented person.

How to solve problems and make decisions more effectively in discussions with other people.

Your ability to communicate is the most important skill you can develop to get on to the fast track in your career. Perhaps the most important thing you do in business is to solve problems and make decisions, both by yourself and with other people.

• Too many problem-solving discussions end up focusing all of the attention of all the people present on what happened in the past and who is to blame. The effective executive uses this type of communication to focus on where the company and the individuals are going, and what can happen in the future – the only part of the situation over which anyone has any control.

5. Plan the implementation of the best alternative (this is your action plan)

What steps should be taken to implement the best alternative to solving the problem?

How much time will you need to implement the solution? Write a schedule that includes the start and stop times, and when you expect to see certain indicators of success. 

Communicate the plan to those who will involved in implementing it.(An important aspect of this step in the problem-solving process is continually observation and feedback.)

6. Monitor implementation of the plan

Monitor the indicators of success: Are you seeing what you would expect from the

indicators? Will the plan be done according to schedule?

7. Verify if the problem has been resolved or not

You should consider:What changes should be made to avoid this type of problem in the future? What did you learn from this problem solving?

You should took it upon yourself to fix the path so that nobody have a similar accident. Positive thinking might ease our suffering while we are sick, but we need prevent ourselves from getting sick again; we may need to exercise more…

When I am working on a problem I never think about beauty. I only think about how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong." – Buckminster Fuller.

Tips & Warnings forProblem Solving Always try to

remain calm and logical when

approaching a problem, resolution

ultimately lies in this approach.

If you feel like you can't do anything,

stop thinking about what you CAN'T do

and start thinking about what you CAN do. Little step might just lead to another,

bigger step.Don't turn away from your problems. It will come back sooner or

later and it will be more difficult to solve.

Naturally, common sense is vital to

solving any problem.

 It may take you some time to solve a problem. Your odds of success often go to 0 when you give up.

Problem Solving

Good luck &

Thank You!

"What God Looks Like"A kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She walked around to look at the artwork. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what  the drawing was.The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like.Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing the girlreplied,  "They will in a minute."