We all know that when you are faced with a problem it can seem overwhelming at first. Fear may creep in, and you may ask yourself, “What if I can’t figure out how to solve this problem?” Not to worry — we have you covered. Here are effective problem solving techniques that will help you be the most innovative you, so you can solve problems, quickly, efficiently, and easily.
What is Problem Solving?
Problem solving can be defined as “the act of defining a problem; determining the cause of the problem; identifying, prioritizing, and selecting alternatives for a solution; and implementing a solution.”
We will always face problems in our life — it comes with the territory of being human. Your ability to solve problems efficiently and quickly can help determine how successful you can be at work and in your personal life. Specific problem solving techniques can help you do just that!
Simple Steps to Solving Problems
1. Get clear on what the problem is.
Identify the problem simply and clearly, this will have an effect on the rest of your problem solving process. Keep in mind that everyone may see a problem from their own perspective and may define it differently.
2. Understand relevant people’s interests.
Get clear on all the key players that are affected by this problem and the solution that you are looking to find.
3. Get clear on what solutions are available.
Write out all the possible solutions you can come up with for the problem at hand. The more the better! Let your creative juices flow with this step.
4. Evaluate the options.
Below each option, compare all the pluses and minuses for choosing that as your option.
5. Choose one of the solutions.
Choose an option you think will be the best fit. Can you combine some of the options together? Are there several options you think will work equally well to solve your problem? Is there one option that stands out from the rest?
6. Document the agreement(s).
You may come up with the best solutions, but if they’re all just swimming around in your head, some may get lost or mixed up in the long problem solving process — no matter how excellent you think your memory is. It’s incredibly important to write them all out in clear and specific detail.
7. Take action and follow up.
Now that you have chosen your solution to your problem, get moving and take action. Implement what you have chosen and follow up after things have been set in place.
Techniques to Help You in the Problem Solving Process
1. Breathe
While this might seem like a no-brainer, this can have a positive effect on your problem solving process. By taking a moment to breathe and focus on your breath, you are calming all your nerves and allowing your brain to do what it does best — coming up with a solution in a calm and more effective manner.
2. Ask as many compelling questions as possible
This will fit under the pre-problem solving stage because you are getting yourself set up and ready to go. Before you dive in and ask as many compelling questions as possible. The more the better! Each question can help give you the right information to support you in making the best possible choice for a solution.
3. Separate ideation from evaluation
You don’t need to focus on prioritising the ideas you’re brainstorming and listing. This part is all about doing a “brain dump”: getting all the ideas you can think of written down first.
4. Judging will shut it down
Let your ideas be. No need to stop yourself mid-way and say, “Well, that’s a stupid idea.” That judgment will stop the creative flow process very quickly. Let it all flow out — good, bad, or otherwise. You can decide later which ideas are valuable and which are not.
5. Restate problems as questions
Reframe the problems as open-ended questions. This method will help the ideas flow more easily.
Types of Problem Solving Methods
1. Use analogies to get to a solution
It can help if you use information from one area to help you solve a problem in another area. This step is recommended if you have had some practice in critical thinking and problem solving techniques — it can be a little tricky if you are just starting out. An example: in the Radiation Problem, a doctor has a patient with a cancerous tumor that can’t be operated on directly. The doctor could use rays to destroy the tumor but the risk is that it also destroys healthy tissue.
In this case using an analogy would be to look at a war story for inspiration. It seems quite unrelated, but the mission is the same: An invading general has to capture the fortress of a king, but must be careful to avoid landmines that will detonate if large forces traverse the streets. The general then sends small forces of soldiers down different pathways so the army can converge at the fortress at the same time and can capture it with full force. The solution in this story can be the method used by the doctor to treat the tumor.
2. Rubber duck problem solving
This method is where you see if you can easily explain the problem you are faced with to a rubber duck (or any other inanimate object). The point is to think hard before you approach someone else with your question or problem.
3. Lateral thinking
This method is where you disregard implied rules — you get to think outside the box. This approach is creative and indirect. It may not be obvious to you at first, but through creative thinking, and not following any set rules, you may be able to come up with a great solution.
4. Trial and error
If you have a lot of time available to you to solve your problem, then trial and error could be a good method to try. It is where you keep going and try every option possible until something clicks. This method is based on repetition until you reach success.
Convergent thinking is the process of compiling and laying out seemingly different pieces of information and figuring out if there is one main solution from those options. Divergent thinking is the opposite, where you focus your energy on coming up with new ideas in order to see which may be combined to solve your problem.
Pragmatics vs. Semantics
Pragmatics refers to logic of the problem at hand, while semantics is how you interpret the problem to solve it.
Mathematical vs. Personal Problem Solving
Mathematical problem solving is based on logic and the expectation or belief that there is ultimately only one right solution or answer to your problem. This is a great option if your problem involves numbers or one clear solution. Personal problem solving focuses on interpersonal, collaborative, and emotional intuition.
Why Recruiters Look for Problem Solvers to Hire
In a study, it was reported that 62 percent of recruiters reported they would search for problem solvers as candidates to hire. They explained that being able to develop solutions on your own is invaluable, “because it drives innovation and increases efficiency.”
It could be incredibly frustrating to work with someone who constantly asks you questions that they easily could have searched for the answer on their own. That isn’t the type of person you would like to be your boss or leading the company you work for.
That’s why recruiters aim to find people that are proactive problem solvers, that will make their director’s life simpler and less stressful. Doing this will help you accelerate your career.
Another way to accelerate your career is to earn the degree that will help you get one step closer to your dreams from University of the People — a tuition-free and 100% online US-accredited university. Here at UoPeople, anyone, anywhere can achieve their dreams with us.
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