Each of us has been in a team that “takes a lot” of effort and too much time to actually solve problems as a group. If you find this is true about your team, you may want to consider this five-step process of problem solving. *
What this process does is take the team’s mind off the problem to enable it to see the opportunity.
First: USE THE RIGHT DATA
With all this talk about BIG DATA, review the data that really matters.
Second: TARGET THE BIG GAP
The smaller gaps may just need some longer and harder work. The big gaps are going to require a change in HOW you work.
Third: FORGET “THE BOX”
Don’t “think outside the box.” Eliminate the box.
Fourth: CHANGE THE WAY YOUR TEAM USES RESOURCES
For instance, a key resource is your talent. Perhaps if you swap one person for another while addressing problem solving you will get a whole new perspective.
Fifth: USE CONSTRAINTS
Architects often say that the greatest architecture emerges from difficult constraints.
Use constraints you can’t eliminate as focal points for the solution.
As Albert Einstein said “If someone held a gun to my head and gave me one hour to solve a problem, I would spend 59 minutes of the hour identifying what the problem really was… In the last moment I’d be sure to find a solution.” These steps allow you to reframe problems so they can be addressed quickly.
