Problem Solving

Maksym Dovgopolyi

Faced with a problem

• get afraid or uncomfortable and wish it would go away

• feel that they have to come up with an answer and it has to be the right answer

• look for someone to blame

Maksym Dovgopolyi

Being faced with a problem becomes a problem

• it has to be solved and we're not sure how to find the best solution

• there will probably be conflicts about what the best solution is

Maksym Dovgopolyi

Look out!

• The most common mistake in problem solving is trying to find a solution right away

• That's a mistake because it tries to put the solution at the beginning of the process, when what we need is a solution at the end of the process.

Maksym Dovgopolyi

6 steps of problem-solving process

1. Problem definition• Be clear about what the problem is;• How is the current situation

different from what I actually want it to be?

• What do I actually want, or how do I actually want things to be?

• What is preventing me/team from achieving my goals?

Maksym Dovgopolyi

6 steps of problem-solving process

2. Problem Analysis• How is this problem affecting me?• How is this problem affecting project

team?• How is this problem affecting current

task and project overall?• Who else is experiencing this

problem?• What is preventing me from achieving

goals?

Maksym Dovgopolyi

6 steps of problem-solving process

3. Generate possible solutions • Analogy: using a solution that solved an

analogous problem;• Brainstorming;• Reduction: transforming the problem into

another problem for which solutions exist;• Research;• Divide and conquer: breaking down a

large, complex problem into smaller, solvable problems;

• Root cause analysis.

Maksym Dovgopolyi

6 steps of problem-solving process

4. Analyze Solutions• Is it relevant to my situation?• Is it realistic?• Is it manageable?• What are the consequences – both

good and bad?• What is the likelihood that it is going

to help me reach my goal?

Maksym Dovgopolyi

6 steps of problem-solving process

5. Select an option or options• How effective is the solution?• Did it achieve what is required?• What consequences (good and bad)

did it have in my situation?

Maksym Dovgopolyi

6 steps of problem-solving process

6. Implementation• Define affection on the Project

(Sprint time, resources);• Document the agreement (Jira); • Monitor compliance and follow-

through.

Maksym Dovgopolyi

Problem-solving is a cycle

Maksym Dovgopolyi

Issueresearcher

possible solutionsevaluate

EffectiveSolution

Thank you

Maksym Dovgopolyi

Links

Maksym Dovgopolyi

LinksEffective Problem Solving in the Workplace

http://www.mediate.com/articles/thicks.cfm

Problem Solving Strategieshttp://www.lorainccc.edu/current+students/advising+and+counseling/counseling/problem+solving.htm

Problem solvinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_solving