Decision Making and Problem Solving Training
Decision Making and Problem Solving Training
To a large degree, the quality of your life is based upon two abilities.
- Your ability to make good decisions.
- Your ability to solve the problems that face you.
If, whenever you need to make a decision, you always make the right decision, then your life would be wonderful.
If you always made the wrong decision, your life would be woeful.
Problem Solving
Whenever you are facing a problem, if you can quickly analyse the problem to discover its causes, and solutions, then your progress would be rapid and continuous. But if you were gaining problems faster than you could solve them, then your progress would be slow. You may even regress.
If you want things to improve the best way is to improve your ability to make good decisions and solve problems.
There are three problem solving methods and four decision making methods you need to know.
1. Problem cause solution analysis
All problems have causes. And all causes suggest possible solutions. You need to master the art of problem cause solution mapping. (Please note that causes of problems are in the past, so this is a retrospective exercise).
2. Problem Implication countermeasure
Most problems have implications: meaning if you have problem 1 that might be the trigger for a future problem 2, 3, and 4. Problems have implications and, therefore, you need to project forward in time, and think about the countermeasures that you could instigate NOW to prevent problem 1 from multiplying itself; like a virus.
3. Creative problem solving
The previous two methods of problem solving are logical analytical step-by-step thinking.
Creative problem solving is less methodical. It is intuitive, a leap of imagination. Eureka moment!
This type of problem solving has many names: creative thinking, thinking outside the box, Blue sky thinking, brainstorming. It is the kind of creative problem solving that can be made to happen if you set the conditions correctly, and if you have the right people in the right mood.
Decision Making
A decision is the act of selecting one option from more than one option. A good decision is the act of selecting the best option from more than one option.
If you can, always select the best option from those available then you will do very well for yourself!
There are fundamentally four kinds of decision you need to master.
1 The 'Yes' or 'No'? Decision
The world if full of yes or no decisions. Should you launch the rocket or not? There often is no half way house middle of the road compromise. YOU cannot 'sort of' launch the rocket. It either goes full on, or not at all. Many decisions are BINARY decision. Yes or no?
Yes/No Widget
Check out our Yes/No widget which can help you make this type of decision.
2 Which One / What Kind?
If you are going to get one, you need to decide, which one / what kind? The "which one /what kind" decision comes-up, practically every day.
- Which one, what kind of computer system should we invest in?
- Which one, what kind of vehicle would be best?
- Which one should we buy?
Which One/What Kind App
We have written a handy which one/what kind app to help you make this type of decision.
3 Prioritisation by Value
You need to decide to prioritise by reference to value. You often need to take a number of items and decide which is most important, which is second, which is third, etc.
For example in daily time management you need to decide, what is the most valuable use of my time right now? What job do I need to do first?
Prioritisation App
To help you prioritise your To Do List, we have developed a great prioritisation app called 'WhatsNext?' You can prioritise your tasks easily, check off the ones you've done, have different lists for business and personal stuff.
3 Prioritisation by Logical Sequence
Not only is prioritisation putting things into value order, it can also mean putting things into their logical sequence. Most things have a "proper sequence". If you do all right things, but you are doing them in the wrong order, then you may be making a colossal mistake. So you need to have two ways of thinking about making priority decisions,
- Prioritising by value.
- Prioritising by logical sequence.
These two forms of prioritisation have distinct modes of thinking. Each one has their own method. And each one needs to be known, understood, mastered and utilised.
Summary
When you are faced with a situation, you need to classify what kind of situation you are facing, then use the mode of thinking that is appropriate to that class of problem.
The seven classes of thinking are:
- Problem cause solution.
- Problem implication solution.
- Creative problem solving.
- Yes / No decisions.
- Which one / what kind decision.
- Periodization by value.
- Prioritisation by logical sequence.
If you would like some training on these modes of problems solving and decision making, please call me on 01452 856091.
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About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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Further Reading in Decision Making and Problem Solving
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10 Steps to Solving Problems at Work
Problem solving is an essential skill, not only at work, but in personal situations. Use these ten steps to improve your problem-solving skills. Learn how to identify the circumstances around the problem and the logical steps to take.
Read Article > -
Black and White Thinking
Right or wrong? Real life problems are often too complex to apply black and white thinking to. Instead, try using another concept, the Law of Identity, on which to base your analysis and decision making.
Read Article > -
What is the Law of Cause and Effect?
"Everything happens for a reason" is a commonly used expression, but not necessarily accurate. Everything that happens has a cause, or causes. "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."
Read Article > -
The Law of Diminishing Returns
More is not necessarily better. There is a point which is optimum. After this point comes diminishing returns, where additional amounts of time, money and effort are ineffective and may even be dangerous.
Read Article > -
Influencing Decisions When You're Not the Most Senior Person
Decisions are usually made by the most senior people in an organisation. But less senior employees can influence the decisions if they develop certain skills and attributes. We examine how you can influence decision-makers.
Read Article >
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