Problem solving

“Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.” - Sun Tzu

According to the American Society for Quality: "Problem solving is the act of defining a problem; determining the cause of the problem; identifying, prioritizing, and selecting alternatives for a solution; and implementing a solution." Being adept at problem solving is vital to thriving in one's personal and professional endeavors. Fields that are especially known for problem solving are management, engineering, mathematics and a variety of scientific fields.

Problem solving process

According to the American Society for Quality the problem solving process includes:

1. Define the problem

2. Generate alternative solutions

3. Evaluate and select an alternative

4. Implement and follow up on the solution

Additional resources:

• The problem-solving process, American Society for Quality
• Problem solving resources, American Society for Quality

Creative problem solving

Statue of the creative Renaissance man Leonardo da Vinci in Tuscany, Italy.

See also: Creative problem solving

Creative problem solving "involves breaking down a problem to understand it, generating ideas to solve the problem and evaluating those ideas to find the most effective solutions. It uses techniques to make the problem solving process engaging and collaborative."

The six stages of creative problem solving, often referred to as the Osborn-Parnes model, are: Objective Finding, Fact Finding, Problem Finding, Idea Finding, Solution Finding, and Acceptance Finding; essentially, defining the problem, gathering information, identifying the core issue, brainstorming ideas, selecting the best solution, and planning for implementation. Explanation of each stage:

1. Objective Finding: Clearly state the goal or desired outcome of the problem-solving process.

2. Fact Finding: Gather all relevant information and data about the problem situation.

3. Problem Finding: Analyze the information to identify the root cause or key issues that need to be addressed.

4. Idea Finding: Generate a wide range of potential solutions through brainstorming or other creative techniques. See also: Ideation

5. Solution Finding: Evaluate the generated ideas, select the most promising solution, and refine it.

6. Acceptance Finding: Develop a plan to implement the chosen solution and address potential obstacles to acceptance.

How to come up with brilliant solutions

See also: Creativity and Openness and Ideation and Brainstorming and Innovation and Collaboration and Brilliant

• 6 Expert-Backed Tips for Coming Up With Brilliant New Ideas All the Time

• 10 Tactics that Produce Brillian Solutions

• 6 Steps to Develop and Implement An Optimal Solution

Problem solving and resourcefulness

See also: Creativity and Innovation and Openness and Ideation and Brainstorming and Perfectionism

Articles on problem solving and resourcefulness:

• Solving problems with what you have: The Art of Resourcefulness by Dr. Rajesh Parekh

• What Are Resourcefulness Skills? (And How to Develop Them), Indeed

• Resourcefulness Skills: Definition and Examples, Indeed

• 11 Ways on How To Be More Resourceful

• How to Be Resourceful, Morning Coach website

Quote

“Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.” - Sun Tzu

See also

• Decision making
• Teamwork skills
• Forecasting
• Abstract thinking

External links

Articles:

• Problem solving skills
• Non-linear problem solving
• Systems thinking
• Overview of systems thinking
• Problem Solving With Six Sigma Root Cause Analysis
• Systems Thinking and Systems Tools
• Enhancing the Six Sigma problem-solving methodology using the systems thinking methodologies
• Systems and complexity thinking
• From “solution” to “contextualized solution systems”
• Systems thinking applied to business
• TRIZ

Ray Dalios 5 steps to success (problem solving included):

• Ray Dalio's 5 Step Process (To Getting What You Want Out Of Life)

Systems thinking:

• Systems thinking

George Polya's 4 steps to problem solving:

• How to solve it - overview by George Polya

• 4 steps to problem solving

• Polya's problem solving techniques

Problem solving Videos

• Problem solving - video playlist
• Problem solving
• Problem Solving Ideas That Work
• Effective problem solving

General problem solving:

• Problem Solving Ideas That Work
• How to become a better problem solver
• Problem Solving Using the Why Tree By Creative Safety Supply