Problem Solving SkillsProblem Solving Skillsby by Farhan KhanFarhan Khan

Linkedin: Linkedin: SocialTechnocratSocialTechnocrat

Twitter:Twitter: LeadershipViewLeadershipView

Definition of Problem SolvingDefinition of Problem Solving

Problem solving refers to a state of desire Problem solving refers to a state of desire for reaching a definite 'goal' from a present for reaching a definite 'goal' from a present condition condition

"Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.""Problems are only opportunities in work clothes."– Henry Kaiser – Henry Kaiser 

(American industrialist) (American industrialist)

Four Basic StepFour Basic Step

There are four basic steps in problem solving:There are four basic steps in problem solving:

Defining the problem - Defining the problem - The key to a good problem The key to a good problem definition is ensuring that you deal with the real definition is ensuring that you deal with the real problem – not its symptoms. Use 5W2H Methodproblem – not its symptoms. Use 5W2H Method

Creativity Creativity (Generating alternatives)(Generating alternatives)

Decision Making (Evaluating & Selecting Decision Making (Evaluating & Selecting alternatives)alternatives)

Project Management (Implementing solutions)Project Management (Implementing solutions)

Help Help DEFINING PROBLEMDEFINING PROBLEMusing 5W2H Methodologyusing 5W2H Methodology

WhoWho

WhatWhat

WhyWhy

WhereWhere

WhenWhen

How MuchHow Much

How OftenHow Often

Help your Help your CREATIVITYCREATIVITY with with 6 Thinking Hats of Edward Debono6 Thinking Hats of Edward Debono

'Wearing' the red hat, you look at problems using intuition

The Blue Hat stands for process control The yellow hat

helps you to think positively

With this thinking hat you focus on the data available.

the Green Hat stands for creativity

Using black hat thinking, look at all the bad points of the decision

Help your Help your DECISION MAKINGDECISION MAKING with with PEST & SWOT Analysis PEST & SWOT Analysis

PEST Analysis helps you understand the PEST Analysis helps you understand the Political, Economic, Social, and Political, Economic, Social, and Technological changes that will shape Technological changes that will shape your business environment your business environment

SWOT Analysis help you understand the SWOT Analysis help you understand the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats for your business decision.Threats for your business decision.

Problem Solving MethodologiesProblem Solving Methodologies

Eight Disciplines (8D)Eight Disciplines (8D)

GROW ModelGROW Model

Eight Disciplines (8D)Eight Disciplines (8D)

– 0: 0: PlanPlan: Plan for solving the problem and determine the prerequisites.: Plan for solving the problem and determine the prerequisites.– D1: D1: Use a TeamUse a Team: Establish a team of people with product/process knowledge.: Establish a team of people with product/process knowledge.– D2: D2: Define and describe the ProblemDefine and describe the Problem : Specify the problem by identifying in quantifiable : Specify the problem by identifying in quantifiable

terms the who, what, where, when, why, how, and how many (5W2H) for the problem.terms the who, what, where, when, why, how, and how many (5W2H) for the problem.– D3: D3: Develop Interim Containment Plan; Implement and verify Interim ActionsDevelop Interim Containment Plan; Implement and verify Interim Actions : Define and : Define and

implement containment actions to isolate the problem from any customer.implement containment actions to isolate the problem from any customer.– D4: D4: Determine, Identify, and Verify Root Causes and Escape PointsDetermine, Identify, and Verify Root Causes and Escape Points : Identify all applicable : Identify all applicable

causes that could explain why the problem has occurred. Also identify why the problem has causes that could explain why the problem has occurred. Also identify why the problem has not been noticed at the time it occurred. All causes shall be verified or proved, not determined not been noticed at the time it occurred. All causes shall be verified or proved, not determined by fuzzy brainstorming. One can use by fuzzy brainstorming. One can use five whysfive whys or  or Ishikawa Ishikawa diagramsdiagramsto map causes against to map causes against the effect or problem identified.the effect or problem identified.

– D5: D5: Choose and Verify Permanent Corrections (PCs) for Problem/Non ConformityChoose and Verify Permanent Corrections (PCs) for Problem/Non Conformity : : Through pre-production programs quantitatively confirm that the selected correction will Through pre-production programs quantitatively confirm that the selected correction will resolve the problem for the customer. (Verify the correction will actually solve the problem)resolve the problem for the customer. (Verify the correction will actually solve the problem)

– D6: D6: Implement and Validate Corrective ActionsImplement and Validate Corrective Actions : Define and Implement the best corrective : Define and Implement the best corrective actions.actions.

– D7: D7: Take Preventive MeasuresTake Preventive Measures: Modify the management systems, operation systems, : Modify the management systems, operation systems, practices, and procedures to prevent recurrence of this and all similar problems.practices, and procedures to prevent recurrence of this and all similar problems.

– D8: D8: Congratulate Your TeamCongratulate Your Team: Recognize the collective efforts of the team. The team needs : Recognize the collective efforts of the team. The team needs to be formally thanked by the organization.to be formally thanked by the organization.

GROW ModelGROW Model

G: Goal: This is the end point, where you wants to be. The goal has G: Goal: This is the end point, where you wants to be. The goal has to be defined in such a way that it is very clear to you when they to be defined in such a way that it is very clear to you when they have achieved it.have achieved it.

R: Reality: The Current Reality is where you is now. What are the R: Reality: The Current Reality is where you is now. What are the issues, the challenges, how far are they away from their goal?issues, the challenges, how far are they away from their goal?

O: Obstacles: There will be Obstacles stopping you getting from O: Obstacles: There will be Obstacles stopping you getting from where they are now to where they want to go. If there were no where they are now to where they want to go. If there were no Obstacles you would already have reached their goal.Obstacles you would already have reached their goal.

O: Options: Once Obstacles have been identified, you needs to find O: Options: Once Obstacles have been identified, you needs to find ways of dealing with them if they are to make progress. These are ways of dealing with them if they are to make progress. These are the Options.the Options.

W: Way Forward: The Options then need to be converted into action W: Way Forward: The Options then need to be converted into action steps which will take you to their goal. These are the Way Forward.steps which will take you to their goal. These are the Way Forward.

Thank you Thank you