How to Solve a Problem

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

How to Solve a Problem

Here is how you could figure out how to solve your current problem. Draw out a Problem-Cause-Solution mind map, and spend time filling it in.

Remember: All problems have causes

All problems have causes; in fact, all problems have multiple causes.

All problems are created and maintained by a network of related causes.

If you want to stop a problem, then you need to:

• Identify the network of related causes.
• Remove the causes or
• Nullify their effects.

If you remove the causes, or nullify their effects, then the problem will disappear.

For example, a fire. There are three causes of a fire: Heat, Oxygen, Fuel.

If you put heat, oxygen and fuel together in the same time and place, you will have a fire. And if you remove any one of those three elements, then the fire will immediately go out.

Since we live in a cause-effect universe, if you stop the causes, then you stop their problematic effects.

When you have a problem, your task is to sit down and try to figure out the major causes of the problem and interrupt them.

How could you do that? The simplest way I know of, is to draw a diagram that looks like this.

Use this diagram to frame your problem - cause - solution - analysis.

Example: On 27th January 1967, there was a terrible fire on board the Apollo 1 service module test rig, which killed all three crew members: "Gus" Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee. The fire completely destroyed the Command Module.

The three major causes of the deaths were found to be:

1. High oxygen content of the atmosphere in the command module.
2. Electrical cables capable of generating sufficient heat to ignite surrounding combustible materials.
3. Escape hatches that could not be opened by the astronauts.

Each of these three causes, had subset causes and each of these subset-causes suggested remedies.

1. Reduce the oxygen content.
2. Insulate the cables.
3. Reduce the amount of combustible material.
4. Redesign the escape hatch.

All these steps were then taken.

Forward Planning

It is a shame that things have to go wrong before someone thinks to fix the problem.

A better way would be to use this method to pre-empt problems and to figure out how we, (you) could prevent problems from happening in the first place.

Use the diagram above to predict, pre-empt and prevent problems before they even have a chance to occur.

Prevention is better than cure.

FREE Training Needs Analysis

FREE Training Needs Analysis!

In order to get the best from your training, you need to discover your relative strengths and weaknesses. Take our FREE training needs analysis questionnaire now and get a report in less than five minutes!

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.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Further Reading in Decision Making and Problem Solving

• Decision Making and Problem Solving Training
  When you are faced with a situation, you need to classify what kind of situation it is, then use the appropriate mode of thinking for the problem.
  Read Article >
• How to Solve a Problem
  When you have a problem, your task is to sit down and try to figure out the major causes of the problem and interrupt them.
  Read Article >
• The Four Causes of all Your Problems
  There are four main causes of all your problems. Find out the major causes of all problems and learn how to find the right solution to those you can fix.
  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 >
• Creative problem solving and decision making
  Creative problem solving and decision making Have you got problems? Of course! We all have problems. And we all want to know how to solve them. How can you solve your problems? Here are some notes on problem solving. What is "a problem"? A problem is the difference between your...
  Read Article >

Advert