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."

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

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

See also

• Mathematics
• Engineering
• Teamwork skills

External links

• Effective problem solving

• Creative problem solving

• Dr. Edward De Bono's Thinking Course from PBS

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

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

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
• Lateral thinking

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

VUCA ("VUCA stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. It describes the situation of constant, unpredictable change that is now the norm in certain industries and areas of the business world."[1]):

• VUCA slideshow
• VUCA article
• VUCA and decision making

Problem solving Videos

• Problem solving
• Problem Solving Ideas That Work

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

Mind mapping:

• Freemind documentation
• Mindmeister
• Mindmeister - Chrome store - Works with Google drive
• Mind mapping - Tony Buzan
• How to make a mind map - version 1
• How to make a mind map - version 2
• How to make a mind map the basics
• FreeMind - Free mind mapping software
• Mind mapping by Tony Buzan
• FreeMind tutorial

Lateral thinking:

• Dr. Edward de Bono discusses Lateral Thinking
• Lateral thinking
• Linear vs. Lateral Thinking - Team 49 Lateral thinking

Creative problem solving:

• Creative problem solving
• What is Creativity - Brian Tracy

Forecasting:

• Effective forecasting - questioning your assumptions
• Gerald Celente on trend forecasting

Multiple strategies

• Multiple strategies

VUCA ("VUCA stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. It describes the situation of constant, unpredictable change that is now the norm in certain industries and areas of the business world."[2]):

• VUCA slideshow
• VUCA article
• VUCA and decision making
• Vuca video - Get There Early - BK Business Book by Bob Johansen

Quote

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

External links

Videos:

• Problem solving - video playlist