visual problem solving techniques

Problem-Solving Flowchart: A Visual Method to Find Perfect Solutions

Lucid Content

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“People ask me questions Lost in confusion Well, I tell them there's no problem Only solutions” —John Lennon, “Watching the Wheels”

Despite John Lennon’s lyrics, nobody is free from problems, and that’s especially true in business. Chances are that you encounter some kind of problem at work nearly every day, and maybe you’ve had to “put out a fire” before lunchtime once or twice in your career.

But perhaps what Lennon’s saying is that, no matter what comes our way, we can find solutions. How do you approach problems? Do you have a process in place to ensure that you and your co-workers come to the right solution?

In this article, we will give you some tips on how to find solutions visually through a problem-solving flowchart and other methods.

What is visual problem-solving?

If you are a literal thinker, you may think that visual problem-solving is something that your ophthalmologist does when your vision is blurry. For the rest of us, visual problem-solving involves executing the following steps in a visual way:

Define the problem.
Brainstorm solutions.
Pick a solution.
Implement solutions.
Review the results.

How to make your problem-solving process more visual

Words pack a lot of power and are very important to how we communicate on a daily basis. Using words alone, you can brainstorm, organize data, identify problems, and come up with possible solutions. The way you write your ideas may make sense to you, but it may not be as easy for other team members to follow.

When you use flowcharts, diagrams, mind maps, and other visuals, the information is easier to digest. Your eyes dart around the page quickly gathering information, more fully engaging your brain to find patterns and make sense of the data.

Identify the problem with mind maps

So you know there is a problem that needs to be solved. Do you know what that problem is? Is there only one problem? Is the problem sum total of a bunch of smaller problems?

You need to ask these kinds of questions to be sure that you are working on the root of the issue. You don’t want to spend too much time and energy solving the wrong problem.

To help you identify the problem, use a mind map. Mind maps can help you visually brainstorm and collect ideas without a strict organization or structure. A mind map more closely aligns with the way a lot of our brains work—participants can bounce from one thought to the next defining the relationships as they go.

Mind mapping to solve a problem includes, but is not limited to, these relatively easy steps:

In the center of the page, add your main idea or concept (in this case, the problem).
Branch out from the center with possible root causes of the issue. Connect each cause to the central idea.
Branch out from each of the subtopics with examples or additional details about the possible cause. As you add more information, make sure you are keeping the most important ideas closer to the main idea in the center.
Use different colors, diagrams, and shapes to organize the different levels of thought.

Alternatively, you could use mind maps to brainstorm solutions once you discover the root cause. Search through Lucidchart’s mind maps template library or add the mind map shape library to quickly start your own mind map.

Create a problem-solving flowchart

A mind map is generally a good tool for non-linear thinkers. However, if you are a linear thinker—a person who thinks in terms of step-by-step progression making a flowchart may work better for your problem-solving strategy. A flowchart is a graphical representation of a workflow or process with various shapes connected by arrows representing each step.

Whether you are trying to solve a simple or complex problem, the steps you take to solve that problem with a flowchart are easy and straightforward. Using boxes and other shapes to represent steps, you connect the shapes with arrows that will take you down different paths until you find the logical solution at the end.

Flowcharts or decision trees are best used to solve problems or answer questions that are likely to come up multiple times. For example, Yoder Lumber , a family-owned hardwood manufacturer, built decision trees in Lucidchart to demonstrate what employees should do in the case of an injury.

To start your problem-solving flowchart, follow these steps:

Draw a starting shape to state your problem.
Draw a decision shape where you can ask questions that will give you yes-or-no answers.
Based on the yes-or-no answers, draw arrows connecting the possible paths you can take to work through the steps and individual processes.
Continue following paths and asking questions until you reach a logical solution to the stated problem.
Try the solution. If it works, you’re done. If it doesn’t work, review the flowchart to analyze what may have gone wrong and rework the flowchart until you find the solution that works.

If your problem involves a process or workflow , you can also use flowcharts to visualize the current state of your process to find the bottleneck or problem that’s costing your company time and money.

Lucidchart has a large library of flowchart templates to help you analyze, design, and document problem-solving processes or any other type of procedure you can think of.

Draw a cause-and-effect diagram

A cause-and-effect diagram is used to analyze the relationship between an event or problem and the reason it happened. There is not always just one underlying cause of a problem, so this visual method can help you think through different potential causes and pinpoint the actual cause of a stated problem.

Cause-and-effect diagrams, created by Kaoru Ishikawa, are also known as Ishikawa diagrams, fishbone diagrams , or herringbone diagrams (because they resemble a fishbone when completed). By organizing causes and effects into smaller categories, these diagrams can be used to examine why things went wrong or might go wrong.

To perform a cause-and-effect analysis, follow these steps.

1. Start with a problem statement.

The problem statement is usually placed in a box or another shape at the far right of your page. Draw a horizontal line, called a “spine” or “backbone,” along the center of the page pointing to your problem statement.

2. Add the categories that represent possible causes.

For example, the category “Materials” may contain causes such as “poor quality,” “too expensive,” and “low inventory.” Draw angled lines (or “bones”) that branch out from the spine to these categories.

3. Add causes to each category.

Draw as many branches as you need to brainstorm the causes that belong in each category.

Like all visuals and diagrams, a cause-and-effect diagram can be as simple or as complex as you need it to be to help you analyze operations and other factors to identify causes related to undesired effects.

Collaborate with Lucidchart

You may have superior problem-solving skills, but that does not mean that you have to solve problems alone. The visual strategies above can help you engage the rest of your team. The more involved the team is in the creation of your visual problem-solving narrative, the more willing they will be to take ownership of the process and the more invested they will be in its outcome.

In Lucidchart, you can simply share the documents with the team members you want to be involved in the problem-solving process. It doesn’t matter where these people are located because Lucidchart documents can be accessed at any time from anywhere in the world.

Whatever method you decide to use to solve problems, work with Lucidchart to create the documents you need. Sign up for a free account today and start diagramming in minutes.

Lucidchart, a cloud-based intelligent diagramming application, is a core component of Lucid Software's Visual Collaboration Suite. This intuitive, cloud-based solution empowers teams to collaborate in real-time to build flowcharts, mockups, UML diagrams, customer journey maps, and more. Lucidchart propels teams forward to build the future faster. Lucid is proud to serve top businesses around the world, including customers such as Google, GE, and NBC Universal, and 99% of the Fortune 500. Lucid partners with industry leaders, including Google, Atlassian, and Microsoft. Since its founding, Lucid has received numerous awards for its products, business, and workplace culture. For more information, visit lucidchart.com.

Sometimes you're faced with challenges that traditional problem solving can't fix. Creative problem solving encourages you to find new, creative ways of thinking that can help you overcome the issue at hand more quickly.

Dialogue mapping is a facilitation technique used to visualize critical thinking as a group. Learn how you and your team can start dialogue mapping today to solve problems and bridge gaps in knowledge and understanding (plus get a free template!).

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Elevate your thinking and accelerate your results with visual thinking tools

Solve problems faster with these 9 visual thinking techniques

By Chuck Frey

Not surprisingly, visual thinking tools like mind maps and diagrams can help you cut your challenges down to size, achieve clarity and generate high-value solutions to them.

Here are 9 mind maps and diagrams that can help you creatively define and solve your most vexing problems:

Mind mapping software can help, because it acts like a prism, separating a major task or challenge into its component parts and enabling you to see the relationships between them, so you can more effectively develop creative solutions to address it. To subdivide the components of your task or challenge, ask yourself questions that begin with the famous “5 W’s”: who, what, when, where and why.

Fishbone diagram

Fishbone diagrams, also known as cause and effect or Ishikawa diagrams, are useful for determining the root cause of a problem or challenge. They are especially useful during the problem definition segment of brainstorming sessions, where they helps individuals and teams to deconstruct problems and challenges.

Force field analysis

A “force field analysis” is a little-known but powerful creative problem-solving technique that can help you to deconstruct your current challenge into its strengths and weaknesses in – and to focus on those that will help you ensure a successful outcome. Force field analysis gives you a visual way to better understand your challenges and visualize these forces at work, so you can brainstorm ways to minimize your weaknesses, build upon your strengths – or add new positive skills or conditions to better counterbalance your weaknesses.

Deconstruct your challenge into its attributes

One skill you ought to cultivate if you want to be more creative is deconstructing challenges and situations into their elements. In so doing, you will inevitably reveal the bits and pieces that may be turned to creative advantage. A mind map is the perfect medium for breaking bigger elements down into smaller ones – while also revealing the relationships between them.

25 creative lenses for problem solving

To help us solve our biggest challenges, my friend Stephen Shapiro has written a marvelous book called Invisible Solutions. It outlines 25 mental filters or “lenses” that can help us systematically frame our problems, challenges and opportunities and release our best thinking. I’ve created a mind map that lists each of them, along with questions to help you think creatively about them.

Board of directors

Have you ever been stumped by a creative challenge? It seems like your muse has flown away. Your creative well is dry. Maybe you just need to whack yourself upside the head, figuratively speaking. Maybe you just need to look at your challenge from a new, creative perspective. This technique gives you permission to REALLY throw off your creative blinders and create a “board” of remarkable thinkers to help you whack YOUR thinking!

Ultimate SCAMPER map

During the last several decades, one of the most widely used and successful brainstorming techniques has been SCAMPER. Its name is a mnemonic for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify/Magnify/Minify, Put to other uses, Eliminate and Reverse/Rearrange. The reason it is so popular is because it forces you to look at challenges or problems from a variety of creative perspectives. I’ve adapted it into a mind map – with over 200 creative prompts to jump-start your thinking in new directions!

5-step CPS process

A popular perception about creativity is that it’s random and uncontrollable. Terms like “a flash of insight,” “a bolt from the blue” and the iconic “A-ha!” support this notion. Writers and artists speak of a fickle creative “muse” that ebbs and flows unpredictably. A more reliable way to be consistently creative is to adopt a proven process for ideation and creative problem-solving, like this proven 5-step process – which I adapted into a mind map.

Personal problem-solving template

This mind map template contains 8 thought-provoking questions that you can use to help you with personal problem-solving – better defining problems and then brainstorming solutions for them. These questions have a lot of value for personal problem solving. And the mind map format is perfect for divergent thinking.

What problems will you solve?

Armed with this toolkit of visual creative problem-solving techniques, what challenges will you tackle?

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35 problem-solving techniques and methods for solving complex problems

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How do you identify problems?

How do you identify the right solution.

Tips for more effective problem-solving

Complete problem-solving methods

Problem-solving techniques to identify and analyze problems
Problem-solving techniques for developing solutions

Problem-solving warm-up activities

Closing activities for a problem-solving process.

Before you can move towards finding the right solution for a given problem, you first need to identify and define the problem you wish to solve.

Here, you want to clearly articulate what the problem is and allow your group to do the same. Remember that everyone in a group is likely to have differing perspectives and alignment is necessary in order to help the group move forward.

Identifying a problem accurately also requires that all members of a group are able to contribute their views in an open and safe manner. It can be scary for people to stand up and contribute, especially if the problems or challenges are emotive or personal in nature. Be sure to try and create a psychologically safe space for these kinds of discussions.

Remember that problem analysis and further discussion are also important. Not taking the time to fully analyze and discuss a challenge can result in the development of solutions that are not fit for purpose or do not address the underlying issue.

Successfully identifying and then analyzing a problem means facilitating a group through activities designed to help them clearly and honestly articulate their thoughts and produce usable insight.

With this data, you might then produce a problem statement that clearly describes the problem you wish to be addressed and also state the goal of any process you undertake to tackle this issue.

Finding solutions is the end goal of any process. Complex organizational challenges can only be solved with an appropriate solution but discovering them requires using the right problem-solving tool.

After you’ve explored a problem and discussed ideas, you need to help a team discuss and choose the right solution. Consensus tools and methods such as those below help a group explore possible solutions before then voting for the best. They’re a great way to tap into the collective intelligence of the group for great results!

Remember that the process is often iterative. Great problem solvers often roadtest a viable solution in a measured way to see what works too. While you might not get the right solution on your first try, the methods below help teams land on the most likely to succeed solution while also holding space for improvement.

Every effective problem solving process begins with an agenda . A well-structured workshop is one of the best methods for successfully guiding a group from exploring a problem to implementing a solution.

In SessionLab, it’s easy to go from an idea to a complete agenda . Start by dragging and dropping your core problem solving activities into place . Add timings, breaks and necessary materials before sharing your agenda with your colleagues.

The resulting agenda will be your guide to an effective and productive problem solving session that will also help you stay organized on the day!

Tips for more effective problem solving

Problem-solving activities are only one part of the puzzle. While a great method can help unlock your team’s ability to solve problems, without a thoughtful approach and strong facilitation the solutions may not be fit for purpose.

Let’s take a look at some problem-solving tips you can apply to any process to help it be a success!

Clearly define the problem

Jumping straight to solutions can be tempting, though without first clearly articulating a problem, the solution might not be the right one. Many of the problem-solving activities below include sections where the problem is explored and clearly defined before moving on.

This is a vital part of the problem-solving process and taking the time to fully define an issue can save time and effort later. A clear definition helps identify irrelevant information and it also ensures that your team sets off on the right track.

Don’t jump to conclusions

It’s easy for groups to exhibit cognitive bias or have preconceived ideas about both problems and potential solutions. Be sure to back up any problem statements or potential solutions with facts, research, and adequate forethought.

The best techniques ask participants to be methodical and challenge preconceived notions. Make sure you give the group enough time and space to collect relevant information and consider the problem in a new way. By approaching the process with a clear, rational mindset, you’ll often find that better solutions are more forthcoming.

Try different approaches

Problems come in all shapes and sizes and so too should the methods you use to solve them. If you find that one approach isn’t yielding results and your team isn’t finding different solutions, try mixing it up. You’ll be surprised at how using a new creative activity can unblock your team and generate great solutions.

Don’t take it personally

Depending on the nature of your team or organizational problems, it’s easy for conversations to get heated. While it’s good for participants to be engaged in the discussions, ensure that emotions don’t run too high and that blame isn’t thrown around while finding solutions.

You’re all in it together, and even if your team or area is seeing problems, that isn’t necessarily a disparagement of you personally. Using facilitation skills to manage group dynamics is one effective method of helping conversations be more constructive.

Get the right people in the room

Your problem-solving method is often only as effective as the group using it. Getting the right people on the job and managing the number of people present is important too!

If the group is too small, you may not get enough different perspectives to effectively solve a problem. If the group is too large, you can go round and round during the ideation stages.

Creating the right group makeup is also important in ensuring you have the necessary expertise and skillset to both identify and follow up on potential solutions. Carefully consider who to include at each stage to help ensure your problem-solving method is followed and positioned for success.

Document everything

The best solutions can take refinement, iteration, and reflection to come out. Get into a habit of documenting your process in order to keep all the learnings from the session and to allow ideas to mature and develop. Many of the methods below involve the creation of documents or shared resources. Be sure to keep and share these so everyone can benefit from the work done!

Bring a facilitator

Facilitation is all about making group processes easier. With a subject as potentially emotive and important as problem-solving, having an impartial third party in the form of a facilitator can make all the difference in finding great solutions and keeping the process moving. Consider bringing a facilitator to your problem-solving session to get better results and generate meaningful solutions!

Develop your problem-solving skills

It takes time and practice to be an effective problem solver. While some roles or participants might more naturally gravitate towards problem-solving, it can take development and planning to help everyone create better solutions.

You might develop a training program, run a problem-solving workshop or simply ask your team to practice using the techniques below. Check out our post on problem-solving skills to see how you and your group can develop the right mental process and be more resilient to issues too!

Design a great agenda

Workshops are a great format for solving problems. With the right approach, you can focus a group and help them find the solutions to their own problems. But designing a process can be time-consuming and finding the right activities can be difficult.

Check out our workshop planning guide to level-up your agenda design and start running more effective workshops. Need inspiration? Check out templates designed by expert facilitators to help you kickstart your process!

In this section, we’ll look at in-depth problem-solving methods that provide a complete end-to-end process for developing effective solutions. These will help guide your team from the discovery and definition of a problem through to delivering the right solution.

If you’re looking for an all-encompassing method or problem-solving model, these processes are a great place to start. They’ll ask your team to challenge preconceived ideas and adopt a mindset for solving problems more effectively.

Six Thinking Hats
Lightning Decision Jam
Problem Definition Process
Discovery & Action Dialogue

Design Sprint 2.0

Open Space Technology

1. Six Thinking Hats

Individual approaches to solving a problem can be very different based on what team or role an individual holds. It can be easy for existing biases or perspectives to find their way into the mix, or for internal politics to direct a conversation.

Six Thinking Hats is a classic method for identifying the problems that need to be solved and enables your team to consider them from different angles, whether that is by focusing on facts and data, creative solutions, or by considering why a particular solution might not work.

Like all problem-solving frameworks, Six Thinking Hats is effective at helping teams remove roadblocks from a conversation or discussion and come to terms with all the aspects necessary to solve complex problems.

2. Lightning Decision Jam

Featured courtesy of Jonathan Courtney of AJ&Smart Berlin, Lightning Decision Jam is one of those strategies that should be in every facilitation toolbox. Exploring problems and finding solutions is often creative in nature, though as with any creative process, there is the potential to lose focus and get lost.

Unstructured discussions might get you there in the end, but it’s much more effective to use a method that creates a clear process and team focus.

In Lightning Decision Jam, participants are invited to begin by writing challenges, concerns, or mistakes on post-its without discussing them before then being invited by the moderator to present them to the group.

From there, the team vote on which problems to solve and are guided through steps that will allow them to reframe those problems, create solutions and then decide what to execute on.

By deciding the problems that need to be solved as a team before moving on, this group process is great for ensuring the whole team is aligned and can take ownership over the next stages.

Lightning Decision Jam (LDJ) #action #decision making #problem solving #issue analysis #innovation #design #remote-friendly The problem with anything that requires creative thinking is that it’s easy to get lost—lose focus and fall into the trap of having useless, open-ended, unstructured discussions. Here’s the most effective solution I’ve found: Replace all open, unstructured discussion with a clear process. What to use this exercise for: Anything which requires a group of people to make decisions, solve problems or discuss challenges. It’s always good to frame an LDJ session with a broad topic, here are some examples: The conversion flow of our checkout Our internal design process How we organise events Keeping up with our competition Improving sales flow

3. Problem Definition Process

While problems can be complex, the problem-solving methods you use to identify and solve those problems can often be simple in design.

By taking the time to truly identify and define a problem before asking the group to reframe the challenge as an opportunity, this method is a great way to enable change.

Begin by identifying a focus question and exploring the ways in which it manifests before splitting into five teams who will each consider the problem using a different method: escape, reversal, exaggeration, distortion or wishful. Teams develop a problem objective and create ideas in line with their method before then feeding them back to the group.

This method is great for enabling in-depth discussions while also creating space for finding creative solutions too!

Problem Definition #problem solving #idea generation #creativity #online #remote-friendly A problem solving technique to define a problem, challenge or opportunity and to generate ideas.

4. The 5 Whys

Sometimes, a group needs to go further with their strategies and analyze the root cause at the heart of organizational issues. An RCA or root cause analysis is the process of identifying what is at the heart of business problems or recurring challenges.

The 5 Whys is a simple and effective method of helping a group go find the root cause of any problem or challenge and conduct analysis that will deliver results.

By beginning with the creation of a problem statement and going through five stages to refine it, The 5 Whys provides everything you need to truly discover the cause of an issue.

The 5 Whys #hyperisland #innovation This simple and powerful method is useful for getting to the core of a problem or challenge. As the title suggests, the group defines a problems, then asks the question “why” five times, often using the resulting explanation as a starting point for creative problem solving.

5. World Cafe

World Cafe is a simple but powerful facilitation technique to help bigger groups to focus their energy and attention on solving complex problems.

World Cafe enables this approach by creating a relaxed atmosphere where participants are able to self-organize and explore topics relevant and important to them which are themed around a central problem-solving purpose. Create the right atmosphere by modeling your space after a cafe and after guiding the group through the method, let them take the lead!

Making problem-solving a part of your organization’s culture in the long term can be a difficult undertaking. More approachable formats like World Cafe can be especially effective in bringing people unfamiliar with workshops into the fold.

World Cafe #hyperisland #innovation #issue analysis World Café is a simple yet powerful method, originated by Juanita Brown, for enabling meaningful conversations driven completely by participants and the topics that are relevant and important to them. Facilitators create a cafe-style space and provide simple guidelines. Participants then self-organize and explore a set of relevant topics or questions for conversation.

6. Discovery & Action Dialogue (DAD)

One of the best approaches is to create a safe space for a group to share and discover practices and behaviors that can help them find their own solutions.

With DAD, you can help a group choose which problems they wish to solve and which approaches they will take to do so. It’s great at helping remove resistance to change and can help get buy-in at every level too!

This process of enabling frontline ownership is great in ensuring follow-through and is one of the methods you will want in your toolbox as a facilitator.

Discovery & Action Dialogue (DAD) #idea generation #liberating structures #action #issue analysis #remote-friendly DADs make it easy for a group or community to discover practices and behaviors that enable some individuals (without access to special resources and facing the same constraints) to find better solutions than their peers to common problems. These are called positive deviant (PD) behaviors and practices. DADs make it possible for people in the group, unit, or community to discover by themselves these PD practices. DADs also create favorable conditions for stimulating participants’ creativity in spaces where they can feel safe to invent new and more effective practices. Resistance to change evaporates as participants are unleashed to choose freely which practices they will adopt or try and which problems they will tackle. DADs make it possible to achieve frontline ownership of solutions.

7. Design Sprint 2.0

Want to see how a team can solve big problems and move forward with prototyping and testing solutions in a few days? The Design Sprint 2.0 template from Jake Knapp, author of Sprint, is a complete agenda for a with proven results.

Developing the right agenda can involve difficult but necessary planning. Ensuring all the correct steps are followed can also be stressful or time-consuming depending on your level of experience.

Use this complete 4-day workshop template if you are finding there is no obvious solution to your challenge and want to focus your team around a specific problem that might require a shortcut to launching a minimum viable product or waiting for the organization-wide implementation of a solution.

8. Open space technology

Open space technology- developed by Harrison Owen – creates a space where large groups are invited to take ownership of their problem solving and lead individual sessions. Open space technology is a great format when you have a great deal of expertise and insight in the room and want to allow for different takes and approaches on a particular theme or problem you need to be solved.

Start by bringing your participants together to align around a central theme and focus their efforts. Explain the ground rules to help guide the problem-solving process and then invite members to identify any issue connecting to the central theme that they are interested in and are prepared to take responsibility for.

Once participants have decided on their approach to the core theme, they write their issue on a piece of paper, announce it to the group, pick a session time and place, and post the paper on the wall. As the wall fills up with sessions, the group is then invited to join the sessions that interest them the most and which they can contribute to, then you’re ready to begin!

Everyone joins the problem-solving group they’ve signed up to, record the discussion and if appropriate, findings can then be shared with the rest of the group afterward.

Open Space Technology #action plan #idea generation #problem solving #issue analysis #large group #online #remote-friendly Open Space is a methodology for large groups to create their agenda discerning important topics for discussion, suitable for conferences, community gatherings and whole system facilitation

Techniques to identify and analyze problems

Using a problem-solving method to help a team identify and analyze a problem can be a quick and effective addition to any workshop or meeting.

While further actions are always necessary, you can generate momentum and alignment easily, and these activities are a great place to get started.

We’ve put together this list of techniques to help you and your team with problem identification, analysis, and discussion that sets the foundation for developing effective solutions.

Let’s take a look!

The Creativity Dice
Fishbone Analysis
Problem Tree
SWOT Analysis
Agreement-Certainty Matrix
The Journalistic Six
LEGO Challenge
What, So What, Now What?
Journalists

Individual and group perspectives are incredibly important, but what happens if people are set in their minds and need a change of perspective in order to approach a problem more effectively?

Flip It is a method we love because it is both simple to understand and run, and allows groups to understand how their perspectives and biases are formed.

Participants in Flip It are first invited to consider concerns, issues, or problems from a perspective of fear and write them on a flip chart. Then, the group is asked to consider those same issues from a perspective of hope and flip their understanding.

No problem and solution is free from existing bias and by changing perspectives with Flip It, you can then develop a problem solving model quickly and effectively.

Flip It! #gamestorming #problem solving #action Often, a change in a problem or situation comes simply from a change in our perspectives. Flip It! is a quick game designed to show players that perspectives are made, not born.

10. The Creativity Dice

One of the most useful problem solving skills you can teach your team is of approaching challenges with creativity, flexibility, and openness. Games like The Creativity Dice allow teams to overcome the potential hurdle of too much linear thinking and approach the process with a sense of fun and speed.

In The Creativity Dice, participants are organized around a topic and roll a dice to determine what they will work on for a period of 3 minutes at a time. They might roll a 3 and work on investigating factual information on the chosen topic. They might roll a 1 and work on identifying the specific goals, standards, or criteria for the session.

Encouraging rapid work and iteration while asking participants to be flexible are great skills to cultivate. Having a stage for idea incubation in this game is also important. Moments of pause can help ensure the ideas that are put forward are the most suitable.

The Creativity Dice #creativity #problem solving #thiagi #issue analysis Too much linear thinking is hazardous to creative problem solving. To be creative, you should approach the problem (or the opportunity) from different points of view. You should leave a thought hanging in mid-air and move to another. This skipping around prevents premature closure and lets your brain incubate one line of thought while you consciously pursue another.

11. Fishbone Analysis

Organizational or team challenges are rarely simple, and it’s important to remember that one problem can be an indication of something that goes deeper and may require further consideration to be solved.

Fishbone Analysis helps groups to dig deeper and understand the origins of a problem. It’s a great example of a root cause analysis method that is simple for everyone on a team to get their head around.

Participants in this activity are asked to annotate a diagram of a fish, first adding the problem or issue to be worked on at the head of a fish before then brainstorming the root causes of the problem and adding them as bones on the fish.

Using abstractions such as a diagram of a fish can really help a team break out of their regular thinking and develop a creative approach.

Fishbone Analysis #problem solving ##root cause analysis #decision making #online facilitation A process to help identify and understand the origins of problems, issues or observations.

12. Problem Tree

Encouraging visual thinking can be an essential part of many strategies. By simply reframing and clarifying problems, a group can move towards developing a problem solving model that works for them.

In Problem Tree, groups are asked to first brainstorm a list of problems – these can be design problems, team problems or larger business problems – and then organize them into a hierarchy. The hierarchy could be from most important to least important or abstract to practical, though the key thing with problem solving games that involve this aspect is that your group has some way of managing and sorting all the issues that are raised.

Once you have a list of problems that need to be solved and have organized them accordingly, you’re then well-positioned for the next problem solving steps.

Problem tree #define intentions #create #design #issue analysis A problem tree is a tool to clarify the hierarchy of problems addressed by the team within a design project; it represents high level problems or related sublevel problems.

13. SWOT Analysis

Chances are you’ve heard of the SWOT Analysis before. This problem-solving method focuses on identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats is a tried and tested method for both individuals and teams.

Start by creating a desired end state or outcome and bare this in mind – any process solving model is made more effective by knowing what you are moving towards. Create a quadrant made up of the four categories of a SWOT analysis and ask participants to generate ideas based on each of those quadrants.

Once you have those ideas assembled in their quadrants, cluster them together based on their affinity with other ideas. These clusters are then used to facilitate group conversations and move things forward.

SWOT analysis #gamestorming #problem solving #action #meeting facilitation The SWOT Analysis is a long-standing technique of looking at what we have, with respect to the desired end state, as well as what we could improve on. It gives us an opportunity to gauge approaching opportunities and dangers, and assess the seriousness of the conditions that affect our future. When we understand those conditions, we can influence what comes next.

14. Agreement-Certainty Matrix

Not every problem-solving approach is right for every challenge, and deciding on the right method for the challenge at hand is a key part of being an effective team.

The Agreement Certainty matrix helps teams align on the nature of the challenges facing them. By sorting problems from simple to chaotic, your team can understand what methods are suitable for each problem and what they can do to ensure effective results.

If you are already using Liberating Structures techniques as part of your problem-solving strategy, the Agreement-Certainty Matrix can be an invaluable addition to your process. We’ve found it particularly if you are having issues with recurring problems in your organization and want to go deeper in understanding the root cause.

Agreement-Certainty Matrix #issue analysis #liberating structures #problem solving You can help individuals or groups avoid the frequent mistake of trying to solve a problem with methods that are not adapted to the nature of their challenge. The combination of two questions makes it possible to easily sort challenges into four categories: simple, complicated, complex , and chaotic . A problem is simple when it can be solved reliably with practices that are easy to duplicate. It is complicated when experts are required to devise a sophisticated solution that will yield the desired results predictably. A problem is complex when there are several valid ways to proceed but outcomes are not predictable in detail. Chaotic is when the context is too turbulent to identify a path forward. A loose analogy may be used to describe these differences: simple is like following a recipe, complicated like sending a rocket to the moon, complex like raising a child, and chaotic is like the game “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” The Liberating Structures Matching Matrix in Chapter 5 can be used as the first step to clarify the nature of a challenge and avoid the mismatches between problems and solutions that are frequently at the root of chronic, recurring problems.

Organizing and charting a team’s progress can be important in ensuring its success. SQUID (Sequential Question and Insight Diagram) is a great model that allows a team to effectively switch between giving questions and answers and develop the skills they need to stay on track throughout the process.

Begin with two different colored sticky notes – one for questions and one for answers – and with your central topic (the head of the squid) on the board. Ask the group to first come up with a series of questions connected to their best guess of how to approach the topic. Ask the group to come up with answers to those questions, fix them to the board and connect them with a line. After some discussion, go back to question mode by responding to the generated answers or other points on the board.

It’s rewarding to see a diagram grow throughout the exercise, and a completed SQUID can provide a visual resource for future effort and as an example for other teams.

SQUID #gamestorming #project planning #issue analysis #problem solving When exploring an information space, it’s important for a group to know where they are at any given time. By using SQUID, a group charts out the territory as they go and can navigate accordingly. SQUID stands for Sequential Question and Insight Diagram.

16. Speed Boat

To continue with our nautical theme, Speed Boat is a short and sweet activity that can help a team quickly identify what employees, clients or service users might have a problem with and analyze what might be standing in the way of achieving a solution.

Methods that allow for a group to make observations, have insights and obtain those eureka moments quickly are invaluable when trying to solve complex problems.

In Speed Boat, the approach is to first consider what anchors and challenges might be holding an organization (or boat) back. Bonus points if you are able to identify any sharks in the water and develop ideas that can also deal with competitors!

Speed Boat #gamestorming #problem solving #action Speedboat is a short and sweet way to identify what your employees or clients don’t like about your product/service or what’s standing in the way of a desired goal.

17. The Journalistic Six

Some of the most effective ways of solving problems is by encouraging teams to be more inclusive and diverse in their thinking.

Based on the six key questions journalism students are taught to answer in articles and news stories, The Journalistic Six helps create teams to see the whole picture. By using who, what, when, where, why, and how to facilitate the conversation and encourage creative thinking, your team can make sure that the problem identification and problem analysis stages of the are covered exhaustively and thoughtfully. Reporter’s notebook and dictaphone optional.

The Journalistic Six – Who What When Where Why How #idea generation #issue analysis #problem solving #online #creative thinking #remote-friendly A questioning method for generating, explaining, investigating ideas.

18. LEGO Challenge

Now for an activity that is a little out of the (toy) box. LEGO Serious Play is a facilitation methodology that can be used to improve creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

The LEGO Challenge includes giving each member of the team an assignment that is hidden from the rest of the group while they create a structure without speaking.

What the LEGO challenge brings to the table is a fun working example of working with stakeholders who might not be on the same page to solve problems. Also, it’s LEGO! Who doesn’t love LEGO!

LEGO Challenge #hyperisland #team A team-building activity in which groups must work together to build a structure out of LEGO, but each individual has a secret “assignment” which makes the collaborative process more challenging. It emphasizes group communication, leadership dynamics, conflict, cooperation, patience and problem solving strategy.

19. What, So What, Now What?

If not carefully managed, the problem identification and problem analysis stages of the problem-solving process can actually create more problems and misunderstandings.

The What, So What, Now What? problem-solving activity is designed to help collect insights and move forward while also eliminating the possibility of disagreement when it comes to identifying, clarifying, and analyzing organizational or work problems.

Facilitation is all about bringing groups together so that might work on a shared goal and the best problem-solving strategies ensure that teams are aligned in purpose, if not initially in opinion or insight.

Throughout the three steps of this game, you give everyone on a team to reflect on a problem by asking what happened, why it is important, and what actions should then be taken.

This can be a great activity for bringing our individual perceptions about a problem or challenge and contextualizing it in a larger group setting. This is one of the most important problem-solving skills you can bring to your organization.

W³ – What, So What, Now What? #issue analysis #innovation #liberating structures You can help groups reflect on a shared experience in a way that builds understanding and spurs coordinated action while avoiding unproductive conflict. It is possible for every voice to be heard while simultaneously sifting for insights and shaping new direction. Progressing in stages makes this practical—from collecting facts about What Happened to making sense of these facts with So What and finally to what actions logically follow with Now What . The shared progression eliminates most of the misunderstandings that otherwise fuel disagreements about what to do. Voila!

20. Journalists

Problem analysis can be one of the most important and decisive stages of all problem-solving tools. Sometimes, a team can become bogged down in the details and are unable to move forward.

Journalists is an activity that can avoid a group from getting stuck in the problem identification or problem analysis stages of the process.

In Journalists, the group is invited to draft the front page of a fictional newspaper and figure out what stories deserve to be on the cover and what headlines those stories will have. By reframing how your problems and challenges are approached, you can help a team move productively through the process and be better prepared for the steps to follow.

Journalists #vision #big picture #issue analysis #remote-friendly This is an exercise to use when the group gets stuck in details and struggles to see the big picture. Also good for defining a vision.

Problem-solving techniques for developing solutions

The success of any problem-solving process can be measured by the solutions it produces. After you’ve defined the issue, explored existing ideas, and ideated, it’s time to narrow down to the correct solution.

Use these problem-solving techniques when you want to help your team find consensus, compare possible solutions, and move towards taking action on a particular problem.

Improved Solutions
Four-Step Sketch
15% Solutions
How-Now-Wow matrix
Impact Effort Matrix

21. Mindspin

Brainstorming is part of the bread and butter of the problem-solving process and all problem-solving strategies benefit from getting ideas out and challenging a team to generate solutions quickly.

With Mindspin, participants are encouraged not only to generate ideas but to do so under time constraints and by slamming down cards and passing them on. By doing multiple rounds, your team can begin with a free generation of possible solutions before moving on to developing those solutions and encouraging further ideation.

This is one of our favorite problem-solving activities and can be great for keeping the energy up throughout the workshop. Remember the importance of helping people become engaged in the process – energizing problem-solving techniques like Mindspin can help ensure your team stays engaged and happy, even when the problems they’re coming together to solve are complex.

MindSpin #teampedia #idea generation #problem solving #action A fast and loud method to enhance brainstorming within a team. Since this activity has more than round ideas that are repetitive can be ruled out leaving more creative and innovative answers to the challenge.

22. Improved Solutions

After a team has successfully identified a problem and come up with a few solutions, it can be tempting to call the work of the problem-solving process complete. That said, the first solution is not necessarily the best, and by including a further review and reflection activity into your problem-solving model, you can ensure your group reaches the best possible result.

One of a number of problem-solving games from Thiagi Group, Improved Solutions helps you go the extra mile and develop suggested solutions with close consideration and peer review. By supporting the discussion of several problems at once and by shifting team roles throughout, this problem-solving technique is a dynamic way of finding the best solution.

Improved Solutions #creativity #thiagi #problem solving #action #team You can improve any solution by objectively reviewing its strengths and weaknesses and making suitable adjustments. In this creativity framegame, you improve the solutions to several problems. To maintain objective detachment, you deal with a different problem during each of six rounds and assume different roles (problem owner, consultant, basher, booster, enhancer, and evaluator) during each round. At the conclusion of the activity, each player ends up with two solutions to her problem.

23. Four Step Sketch

Creative thinking and visual ideation does not need to be confined to the opening stages of your problem-solving strategies. Exercises that include sketching and prototyping on paper can be effective at the solution finding and development stage of the process, and can be great for keeping a team engaged.

By going from simple notes to a crazy 8s round that involves rapidly sketching 8 variations on their ideas before then producing a final solution sketch, the group is able to iterate quickly and visually. Problem-solving techniques like Four-Step Sketch are great if you have a group of different thinkers and want to change things up from a more textual or discussion-based approach.

Four-Step Sketch #design sprint #innovation #idea generation #remote-friendly The four-step sketch is an exercise that helps people to create well-formed concepts through a structured process that includes: Review key information Start design work on paper, Consider multiple variations , Create a detailed solution . This exercise is preceded by a set of other activities allowing the group to clarify the challenge they want to solve. See how the Four Step Sketch exercise fits into a Design Sprint

24. 15% Solutions

Some problems are simpler than others and with the right problem-solving activities, you can empower people to take immediate actions that can help create organizational change.

Part of the liberating structures toolkit, 15% solutions is a problem-solving technique that focuses on finding and implementing solutions quickly. A process of iterating and making small changes quickly can help generate momentum and an appetite for solving complex problems.

Problem-solving strategies can live and die on whether people are onboard. Getting some quick wins is a great way of getting people behind the process.

It can be extremely empowering for a team to realize that problem-solving techniques can be deployed quickly and easily and delineate between things they can positively impact and those things they cannot change.

15% Solutions #action #liberating structures #remote-friendly You can reveal the actions, however small, that everyone can do immediately. At a minimum, these will create momentum, and that may make a BIG difference. 15% Solutions show that there is no reason to wait around, feel powerless, or fearful. They help people pick it up a level. They get individuals and the group to focus on what is within their discretion instead of what they cannot change. With a very simple question, you can flip the conversation to what can be done and find solutions to big problems that are often distributed widely in places not known in advance. Shifting a few grains of sand may trigger a landslide and change the whole landscape.

25. How-Now-Wow Matrix

The problem-solving process is often creative, as complex problems usually require a change of thinking and creative response in order to find the best solutions. While it’s common for the first stages to encourage creative thinking, groups can often gravitate to familiar solutions when it comes to the end of the process.

When selecting solutions, you don’t want to lose your creative energy! The How-Now-Wow Matrix from Gamestorming is a great problem-solving activity that enables a group to stay creative and think out of the box when it comes to selecting the right solution for a given problem.

Problem-solving techniques that encourage creative thinking and the ideation and selection of new solutions can be the most effective in organisational change. Give the How-Now-Wow Matrix a go, and not just for how pleasant it is to say out loud.

How-Now-Wow Matrix #gamestorming #idea generation #remote-friendly When people want to develop new ideas, they most often think out of the box in the brainstorming or divergent phase. However, when it comes to convergence, people often end up picking ideas that are most familiar to them. This is called a ‘creative paradox’ or a ‘creadox’. The How-Now-Wow matrix is an idea selection tool that breaks the creadox by forcing people to weigh each idea on 2 parameters.

26. Impact and Effort Matrix

All problem-solving techniques hope to not only find solutions to a given problem or challenge but to find the best solution. When it comes to finding a solution, groups are invited to put on their decision-making hats and really think about how a proposed idea would work in practice.

The Impact and Effort Matrix is one of the problem-solving techniques that fall into this camp, empowering participants to first generate ideas and then categorize them into a 2×2 matrix based on impact and effort.

Activities that invite critical thinking while remaining simple are invaluable. Use the Impact and Effort Matrix to move from ideation and towards evaluating potential solutions before then committing to them.

Impact and Effort Matrix #gamestorming #decision making #action #remote-friendly In this decision-making exercise, possible actions are mapped based on two factors: effort required to implement and potential impact. Categorizing ideas along these lines is a useful technique in decision making, as it obliges contributors to balance and evaluate suggested actions before committing to them.

27. Dotmocracy

If you’ve followed each of the problem-solving steps with your group successfully, you should move towards the end of your process with heaps of possible solutions developed with a specific problem in mind. But how do you help a group go from ideation to putting a solution into action?

Dotmocracy – or Dot Voting -is a tried and tested method of helping a team in the problem-solving process make decisions and put actions in place with a degree of oversight and consensus.

One of the problem-solving techniques that should be in every facilitator’s toolbox, Dot Voting is fast and effective and can help identify the most popular and best solutions and help bring a group to a decision effectively.

Dotmocracy #action #decision making #group prioritization #hyperisland #remote-friendly Dotmocracy is a simple method for group prioritization or decision-making. It is not an activity on its own, but a method to use in processes where prioritization or decision-making is the aim. The method supports a group to quickly see which options are most popular or relevant. The options or ideas are written on post-its and stuck up on a wall for the whole group to see. Each person votes for the options they think are the strongest, and that information is used to inform a decision.

All facilitators know that warm-ups and icebreakers are useful for any workshop or group process. Problem-solving workshops are no different.

Use these problem-solving techniques to warm up a group and prepare them for the rest of the process. Activating your group by tapping into some of the top problem-solving skills can be one of the best ways to see great outcomes from your session.

Check-in/Check-out
Doodling Together
Show and Tell
Constellations
Draw a Tree

28. Check-in / Check-out

Solid processes are planned from beginning to end, and the best facilitators know that setting the tone and establishing a safe, open environment can be integral to a successful problem-solving process.

Check-in / Check-out is a great way to begin and/or bookend a problem-solving workshop. Checking in to a session emphasizes that everyone will be seen, heard, and expected to contribute.

If you are running a series of meetings, setting a consistent pattern of checking in and checking out can really help your team get into a groove. We recommend this opening-closing activity for small to medium-sized groups though it can work with large groups if they’re disciplined!

Check-in / Check-out #team #opening #closing #hyperisland #remote-friendly Either checking-in or checking-out is a simple way for a team to open or close a process, symbolically and in a collaborative way. Checking-in/out invites each member in a group to be present, seen and heard, and to express a reflection or a feeling. Checking-in emphasizes presence, focus and group commitment; checking-out emphasizes reflection and symbolic closure.

29. Doodling Together

Thinking creatively and not being afraid to make suggestions are important problem-solving skills for any group or team, and warming up by encouraging these behaviors is a great way to start.

Doodling Together is one of our favorite creative ice breaker games – it’s quick, effective, and fun and can make all following problem-solving steps easier by encouraging a group to collaborate visually. By passing cards and adding additional items as they go, the workshop group gets into a groove of co-creation and idea development that is crucial to finding solutions to problems.

Doodling Together #collaboration #creativity #teamwork #fun #team #visual methods #energiser #icebreaker #remote-friendly Create wild, weird and often funny postcards together & establish a group’s creative confidence.

30. Show and Tell

You might remember some version of Show and Tell from being a kid in school and it’s a great problem-solving activity to kick off a session.

Asking participants to prepare a little something before a workshop by bringing an object for show and tell can help them warm up before the session has even begun! Games that include a physical object can also help encourage early engagement before moving onto more big-picture thinking.

By asking your participants to tell stories about why they chose to bring a particular item to the group, you can help teams see things from new perspectives and see both differences and similarities in the way they approach a topic. Great groundwork for approaching a problem-solving process as a team!

Show and Tell #gamestorming #action #opening #meeting facilitation Show and Tell taps into the power of metaphors to reveal players’ underlying assumptions and associations around a topic The aim of the game is to get a deeper understanding of stakeholders’ perspectives on anything—a new project, an organizational restructuring, a shift in the company’s vision or team dynamic.

31. Constellations

Who doesn’t love stars? Constellations is a great warm-up activity for any workshop as it gets people up off their feet, energized, and ready to engage in new ways with established topics. It’s also great for showing existing beliefs, biases, and patterns that can come into play as part of your session.

Using warm-up games that help build trust and connection while also allowing for non-verbal responses can be great for easing people into the problem-solving process and encouraging engagement from everyone in the group. Constellations is great in large spaces that allow for movement and is definitely a practical exercise to allow the group to see patterns that are otherwise invisible.

Constellations #trust #connection #opening #coaching #patterns #system Individuals express their response to a statement or idea by standing closer or further from a central object. Used with teams to reveal system, hidden patterns, perspectives.

32. Draw a Tree

Problem-solving games that help raise group awareness through a central, unifying metaphor can be effective ways to warm-up a group in any problem-solving model.

Draw a Tree is a simple warm-up activity you can use in any group and which can provide a quick jolt of energy. Start by asking your participants to draw a tree in just 45 seconds – they can choose whether it will be abstract or realistic.

Once the timer is up, ask the group how many people included the roots of the tree and use this as a means to discuss how we can ignore important parts of any system simply because they are not visible.

All problem-solving strategies are made more effective by thinking of problems critically and by exposing things that may not normally come to light. Warm-up games like Draw a Tree are great in that they quickly demonstrate some key problem-solving skills in an accessible and effective way.

Draw a Tree #thiagi #opening #perspectives #remote-friendly With this game you can raise awarness about being more mindful, and aware of the environment we live in.

Each step of the problem-solving workshop benefits from an intelligent deployment of activities, games, and techniques. Bringing your session to an effective close helps ensure that solutions are followed through on and that you also celebrate what has been achieved.

Here are some problem-solving activities you can use to effectively close a workshop or meeting and ensure the great work you’ve done can continue afterward.

One Breath Feedback
Who What When Matrix
Response Cards

How do I conclude a problem-solving process?

All good things must come to an end. With the bulk of the work done, it can be tempting to conclude your workshop swiftly and without a moment to debrief and align. This can be problematic in that it doesn’t allow your team to fully process the results or reflect on the process.

At the end of an effective session, your team will have gone through a process that, while productive, can be exhausting. It’s important to give your group a moment to take a breath, ensure that they are clear on future actions, and provide short feedback before leaving the space.

The primary purpose of any problem-solving method is to generate solutions and then implement them. Be sure to take the opportunity to ensure everyone is aligned and ready to effectively implement the solutions you produced in the workshop.

Remember that every process can be improved and by giving a short moment to collect feedback in the session, you can further refine your problem-solving methods and see further success in the future too.

33. One Breath Feedback

Maintaining attention and focus during the closing stages of a problem-solving workshop can be tricky and so being concise when giving feedback can be important. It’s easy to incur “death by feedback” should some team members go on for too long sharing their perspectives in a quick feedback round.

One Breath Feedback is a great closing activity for workshops. You give everyone an opportunity to provide feedback on what they’ve done but only in the space of a single breath. This keeps feedback short and to the point and means that everyone is encouraged to provide the most important piece of feedback to them.

One breath feedback #closing #feedback #action This is a feedback round in just one breath that excels in maintaining attention: each participants is able to speak during just one breath … for most people that’s around 20 to 25 seconds … unless of course you’ve been a deep sea diver in which case you’ll be able to do it for longer.

34. Who What When Matrix

Matrices feature as part of many effective problem-solving strategies and with good reason. They are easily recognizable, simple to use, and generate results.

The Who What When Matrix is a great tool to use when closing your problem-solving session by attributing a who, what and when to the actions and solutions you have decided upon. The resulting matrix is a simple, easy-to-follow way of ensuring your team can move forward.

Great solutions can’t be enacted without action and ownership. Your problem-solving process should include a stage for allocating tasks to individuals or teams and creating a realistic timeframe for those solutions to be implemented or checked out. Use this method to keep the solution implementation process clear and simple for all involved.

Who/What/When Matrix #gamestorming #action #project planning With Who/What/When matrix, you can connect people with clear actions they have defined and have committed to.

35. Response cards

Group discussion can comprise the bulk of most problem-solving activities and by the end of the process, you might find that your team is talked out!

Providing a means for your team to give feedback with short written notes can ensure everyone is head and can contribute without the need to stand up and talk. Depending on the needs of the group, giving an alternative can help ensure everyone can contribute to your problem-solving model in the way that makes the most sense for them.

Response Cards is a great way to close a workshop if you are looking for a gentle warm-down and want to get some swift discussion around some of the feedback that is raised.

Response Cards #debriefing #closing #structured sharing #questions and answers #thiagi #action It can be hard to involve everyone during a closing of a session. Some might stay in the background or get unheard because of louder participants. However, with the use of Response Cards, everyone will be involved in providing feedback or clarify questions at the end of a session.

Save time and effort discovering the right solutions

A structured problem solving process is a surefire way of solving tough problems, discovering creative solutions and driving organizational change. But how can you design for successful outcomes?

With SessionLab, it’s easy to design engaging workshops that deliver results. Drag, drop and reorder blocks to build your agenda. When you make changes or update your agenda, your session timing adjusts automatically , saving you time on manual adjustments.

Collaborating with stakeholders or clients? Share your agenda with a single click and collaborate in real-time. No more sending documents back and forth over email.

Explore how to use SessionLab to design effective problem solving workshops or watch this five minute video to see the planner in action!

Over to you

The problem-solving process can often be as complicated and multifaceted as the problems they are set-up to solve. With the right problem-solving techniques and a mix of creative exercises designed to guide discussion and generate purposeful ideas, we hope we’ve given you the tools to find the best solutions as simply and easily as possible.

Is there a problem-solving technique that you are missing here? Do you have a favorite activity or method you use when facilitating? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you!

thank you very much for these excellent techniques

Certainly wonderful article, very detailed. Shared!

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6 simple steps to visual problem solving.

Oct 30, 2018 | Productivity , Project management , Remote Work , Strategy , Thinking tools

Chances are, you’d describe yourself as a visual thinker. Scientific studies reveal between 65% and 80% of people fit this category. Visual thinking likely played a big role in our evolution; the ability to see a threat and react to it ensured our survival. Communicating ideas visually significantly improves effectiveness. A 1986 study from the University of Michigan showed that presentations using visuals were 43% more persuasive. [source: http://misrc.umn.edu/workingpapers/fullpapers/1986/8611.pdf ] Visual tools help us think more creatively and efficiently, especially when grappling with complex problems or pondering big decisions. Involving your team members or colleagues will create a larger pool of ideas to help solve your challenge. The more ideas you incorporate from people who understand the problem and its complexity, the more options you will have to solve it. Here at Cardsmith, we focus on visual problem solving every day. We’ve found that six simple steps can take you from struggle to success.

Here’s how to amp up your visual problem solving:

1: start with a clear objective..

Before brainstorming, you’ll want to set up the problem you’re aiming to solve. Try posing it as a question. For instance, “How can we increase our sales?” Or you might ask, “80% of our sales come from one large customer. How can we reduce the risk this poses to our business?”

2: Dump out all the Legos ®.

Get all the ideas out on the table. This is where you express as many ideas as possible in a rapid flow without judging, structuring or organizing them. You don’t want to disrupt the free flow of ideas. Even the crazy ones count, and the ones that don’t seem to fit into any particular category. These ideas may be symptoms of the problem or related thoughts, fears and hopes. Don’t worry if your thoughts are long or complex, and don’t try to edit them. Whatever is in your mind, dump it out! Once you write all these things down, your mind can relax. Move on when you feel like all participants’ brains are empty. Read more about “Dumping out the Legos” .

3: Create right-sized information chunks.

When working with cards at this point, make each one discrete and stick to single sentences. Avoid using the word “and” because that will introduce too many ideas at once. A card in Cardsmith or 2” x 2” sticky notes have the perfect amount of space to enforce this rule. These constraints also help you be concise and clear about each thought. If you have longer ideas from the previous step, this is the time to edit those down to make them shorter and more focused. Here are some examples of information chunks, right-sized by using Cardsmith cards.

Figure 1. Cardsmith Cards with information “chunks”.

4: Remember that problem solving is a creative act.

Be intentional about whether you are in the divergent or convergent phase of the creative process. These are phases of Design Thinking, the cognitive process from which design concepts emerge. A divergent phase is when you are looking for more: lots of thoughts, many ideas, etc. “Dump out the Legos” is the perfect example of a divergent activity. At some point, you’ll want to transition from divergent to convergent thinking. Convergent means using criteria to sort, group or organize the ideas. It’s making decisions that focus on fewer, rather than many. When you transition to the divergent phase, create a new framing question or objective, then repeat the process.

Figure 2. Example of divergent and convergent phases in Design Thinking.

5: Get clear on the problem before proceeding to solutions.

This concept is related to #4 but worth calling out as its own step. Often we think we understand the problem at hand and jump into problem-solving mode prematurely. First, spend a moment getting clear about the exact problem, and consider if it is the most important problem to solve. You will be more effective in the long run. Ask yourself questions like, “Are we jumping into solution space too quickly?” “Do we truly understand the problem?” “Is this the most important problem to solve now?” If you are not 100% certain, use step #1 to brainstorm all the possible problems. Try constraining the brainstorm to one area. For example, if you know you are having problems with sales, brainstorm to understand all the symptoms of the sales problem before moving on to seek a solution. Here’s a hypothetical brainstorm around this question:

Figure 3. Problem Brainstorm in Cardsmith.

6: Select the right visual tool

Think about the type of question being asked. Would a tree, map or list best suit your problem-solving process? There are many options for mapping diagrams such as mind maps, fishbone diagrams, and affinity diagrams. We will discuss these options more in another post, but for now let’s focus on the affinity diagram. This is a great visual tool to use immediately after dumping out the Legos. Affinity diagramming is simply a way to group like with like. Cardsmith makes it easy to drag your ideas into clusters. If you are working in a team, doing this together yields benefits beyond the creation of the diagram itself, as you will discuss in detail why certain cards belong together with others. This will reveal hidden assumptions useful to downstream decision processes. Here is an affinity diagram example, based on the above problem brainstorm:

Figure 4. Affinity Diagram in Cardsmith.

Try out visual problem solving to improve your own life!

Now that you know the 6 steps, try this challenge to become more experienced in creative visual problem solving:

Create a Cardsmith board called “Life Problems”. Find a quiet time and place to reflect on all your dissatisfactions with your life. Add the first card to the board and title it something like, “What things in my life are less than ideal?”
Take a moment to thank your mind for all the problems and complaints it tracks on your behalf. Tell your mind it’s okay to think these things, and now is a chance to get free from such a heavy burden, by putting everything on the board.
Then just start dumping out all of the Legos. Write down any thought that comes, whether negative or positive. You have just practiced steps #1 through #4!
Now create an affinity diagram by grouping related cards together. You’ll likely start to see themes or areas of your life that you’d like to improve. I did this myself and while I came up with 27 things that I’m not happy about, when I created the affinity diagram I realized there were only three unique areas that I’d like to improve. Most of the cards are under health and fitness, so wellness activities are clearly worth pursuing!

What will you tackle next?

Now that you know the six simple steps, what problem shall we solve next? Tell us how you’ve used this process—and Cardsmith cards—to solve complex problems in your own work or life.

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Visual problem solving with flowcharts and mind maps

What’s life without problems? Probably a little boring, if we’re being honest. If everything were perfect all the time, there would be no challenges, and things would get pretty monotonous. This is a rather optimistic view on what many believe to be an aggravating part of life. No matter how you feel about problems, one thing is true: problems are inevitable . You can’t always control how many problems you encounter in your life, but you can learn better ways to solve them. So, what can we do for those really complex issues that aren’t easily solved? Visual problem solving is the perfect way to see solutions and break down complex issues.

Make your own flowchart with Gleek .

What is visual problem solving?

Visual problem solving is the process of using aids like charts or diagrams to display all the aspects of a problem in order to find viable solutions. When problem solving, sometimes it’s hard to see what’s causing the problem, or other relationships and correlations that are affecting whatever it is you’re working on. Two common methods for problem solving include mind maps and flowcharts . A mind map is a non-linear diagram, used for making new ideas or breaking down complex issues. A flowchart is a linear diagram, used for making action plans and describing processes.

5 steps to solve problems

Identify the true problem

Maybe you know what the issue is in clear terms, or perhaps it’s still a little confusing. A good way to get a concrete vision of the problem you need to solve is to pose it as a question, or a short statement. You might come up with something like ‘our sales have dropped’, or, as a question ‘what can we do to increase sales?’.

Get information

Now that you have a clear objective to solve, the next step is to gather all the relevant information that pertains to the issue. This can look like statistics, comments from customers, employee feedback, and more. Once you’ve collected the data, you’ll need to analyze it from all angles to get a clear view on the topic.

Brainstorming session

Get any and all potential solution ideas out on the table. Doesn’t matter how silly an idea seems, just put anything that comes to mind on the drawing board. This is where your visual aids will really come in handy, especially mind maps. You might need more than one chart, depending on how complicated the issue is.

Choose the best idea(s)

Whether on your own or with a team, you’ll have to eliminate the potential solutions that just won’t work. To find the solution that’ll work best, it’s good to analyze it in the same way you did the problem – by looking at potential outcomes, and all facets involved.

Make an action plan

So you think you’ve found the perfect solution! Now what? If your problem is complicated, usually the solution will be too. Here is where another visual aid, like a flowchart, will be helpful. Map out the specific steps you need in order to implement your solution. Then, it’s time to put your plan into action.

These are just the basic steps you can use to start problem solving. You may find that other actions are needed during your own journey.

Common mistakes when problem solving

Mistakes? We all make them from time to time. Here are some common mistakes we are prone to when trying to fix problems.

Undefined problem – When identifying the problem, it’s possible that the problem is too big, multi-faceted, or too complex to tackle all at once. A way to avoid this is to break the problem down into chunks, following common themes.

More problems arise – This isn’t always a direct result of anything we do, but it can happen nonetheless. The best way to deal with more problems that arise when you’re trying to solve the original one is to think of the possible things that could go wrong during the solution stage. When you’re prepared for any situation, you’ll rarely have any setbacks.

No action plan – Finding a way to solve your problem doesn’t mean that the planning is over. On the contrary, you need to create a strategy to properly execute your solution so you won’t end up with a half-solved problem and even more issues than you started with.

When to use flowcharts

One way to chart your problems and progress is through flowcharts. For those who like to think in a step-by-step or linear fashion, flowcharts are the best way to visualize things. Let’s have a look at some situations that are best suited to flowcharts.

Big problems – Flowcharts can help break down a large problem or solution into specific steps or stages from start to finish.

Decision trees – This type of flowchart is helpful when diagramming actions that will happen as a result of other actions, whether they be in a software system or actions taken by people.

Cause and effect – Similar to a decision tree, a cause and effect flowchart is where you can analyze the potential results of various actions, past or present.

Check out our 20 flowchart templates that you can also easily edit !

When to use mind maps

Mind maps are great for brainstorming sessions, and non-linear problem solving. Here are some situations that are best visualized through a mind map.

Finding the problem – So, what is the problem exactly? Sometimes it’s hard to see. Making a mind map offers you the opportunity to see all the moving parts involved with a situation, and how they relate to one another, and can help you suss out the true problem.

Core and branching ideas – You start with a core idea, such as ‘online sales’, then add related ideas or issues branching off from that, like maybe ‘ad revenue’, or ‘social media campaigns’. Then those ideas can have their own branches. This is an easy way to analyze all aspects of a problem.

Source: Problem Solving with Mind Maps (Tutorial)

Looking to create your own flowchart? Gleek has the solution for you. With Gleek, you can create your own flowcharts using a text-based command center, without ever using your mouse. Not only can you create flowcharts, you can create many other UML-based diagrams that will wow your colleagues and bring new life to your presentations. Get started for free today .

Uses for cross-functional flowcharts

20 editable flowchart templates & examples

What are flowchart symbols? Here’s a handy guide with examples

A step-by-step guide to creating a flowchart in Google Docs

7 stages of the product development process (flowchart example)

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Visual Thinking Hacks to Make You a Better Problem Solver

Introduction.

Problem solving is an essential skill in today’s fast-paced and complex world. Whether it’s in our personal lives or in the professional realm, being able to find solutions to challenges is crucial for success. However, traditional problem-solving methods may not always be effective in tackling the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of problems we face.

This is where visual thinking comes into play. Visual thinking is a cognitive process that utilizes visual elements, such as diagrams, drawings, and images, to enhance problem solving. It taps into the power of our visual processing capabilities to organize information, explore different perspectives, and uncover new insights.

In this blog, we will explore various visual thinking hacks that can help you become a better problem solver. These hacks are practical techniques that you can apply to a wide range of problem-solving scenarios, both in your personal and professional life. By incorporating visual thinking into your problem-solving process, you can gain a fresh perspective, unleash your creativity, and ultimately arrive at better and more innovative solutions.

Throughout this blog, we will dive into the following visual thinking hacks:

Mind Mapping: We will explore the concept of mind mapping, a technique that allows you to visually organize information, generate new ideas, and make connections between different elements of a problem.

Sketching: We will discuss the benefits of sketching as a problem-solving tool and provide tips on how to effectively use sketches to explore and communicate ideas.

Infographics: We will highlight the power of infographics in conveying complex information and guide you on creating effective infographics that can enhance problem-solving processes.

Storyboarding: We will explain the concept of storyboarding and its application in problem solving. You will learn how to create storyboards to visualize and refine your ideas.

Visual Note-Taking: We will discuss the advantages of visual note-taking and share techniques to capture and organize information visually, enabling more effective problem-solving.

By dedicating each section to a particular visual thinking hack, we aim to provide you with practical guidance, step-by-step instructions, and real-life examples that will help you understand and apply these hacks to your problem-solving endeavors. Ultimately, our goal is to empower you with the tools and strategies to become a more accomplished and innovative problem solver.

So, let’s dive in and discover how visual thinking can revolutionize your problem-solving skills!

Visual Thinking Hack #1: Mind Mapping

A mind map is a powerful visual thinking tool that can help to improve problem-solving skills. It allows you to organize thoughts and ideas in a non-linear and creative way. Mind mapping involves creating a diagram that represents different concepts and their relationships. By visually mapping out ideas, you can gain a better understanding of complex problems and come up with innovative solutions.

Definition and Explanation of Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is a technique that was popularized by Tony Buzan in the 1960s. It is a graphical way of representing information using a central idea or concept as the starting point. From this central idea, you create branches that radiate outwards, representing different subtopics or related ideas. Each branch can then be further expanded upon with more branches and sub-branches, forming a web-like structure.

The beauty of mind mapping lies in its simplicity and flexibility. It allows you to capture ideas quickly and easily, making it ideal for brainstorming and organizing thoughts. The visual nature of mind maps also makes it easier to understand and remember information, as it engages both the left and right sides of the brain.

Step-by-step Guide to Creating a Mind Map

Start with a blank sheet of paper or a whiteboard. Alternatively, you can also use mind mapping software or apps that provide digital canvases for creating mind maps.

Write down the main topic or problem in the center of the page. This will serve as the central idea of your mind map.

From the central idea, draw branches outward, representing different subtopics or related ideas. Use curved lines to add a visual element to your mind map.

Label each branch with a word or short phrase that captures the essence of the subtopic or idea it represents.

As you generate more ideas, create additional branches and sub-branches, linking them to the appropriate main topics and subtopics.

Use color, icons, and images to further enhance the visual aspect of your mind map. This can help to make connections between ideas more evident and memorable.

Continue expanding and refining your mind map as you work through the problem or explore different solutions. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to mind mapping. Feel free to add or rearrange branches as needed to accommodate new ideas or insights.

Examples of How Mind Mapping Can Be Used to Solve Problems

Mind mapping can be applied to a wide range of problem-solving scenarios. Here are a few examples:

Problem: Developing a Marketing Strategy

Central Idea: Marketing Strategy
Branches: Target Audience, Brand Positioning, Advertising Channels, Content Marketing, Social Media, Sales Promotion
Sub-branches: Demographics, Psychographics, Unique Selling Proposition, Print Ads, Blogging, Facebook, Coupons

By creating a mind map for developing a marketing strategy, you can visually see the different components and their relationships. This can help you identify gaps or areas that need further research, as well as generate new ideas for reaching your target audience effectively.

Problem: Solving a Technical Issue

Central Idea: Technical Issue
Branches: Symptoms, Possible Causes, Potential Solutions, Testing, Documentation
Sub-branches: Error Messages, Software Updates, Hardware Failure, Troubleshooting Steps, User Manual

When faced with a technical issue, a mind map can help you systematically analyze the problem and explore potential solutions. By breaking down the problem into smaller subtopics, you can identify the root cause more easily and develop a plan of action.

In conclusion, mind mapping is a valuable visual thinking hack that can enhance your problem-solving abilities. By organizing ideas in a visual and non-linear way, you can gain a better understanding of complex problems, generate new ideas, and come up with innovative solutions. So, grab a pen and some paper, or fire up your favorite mind mapping software, and start mind mapping your way to better problem solving!

Visual Thinking Hack #2: Sketching

Sketching is a powerful visual thinking hack that can greatly enhance problem-solving abilities. By putting pen to paper and visually representing ideas, concepts, and solutions, individuals can gain better clarity, generate new insights, and communicate more effectively. Sketching is an excellent tool for both brainstorming and refining ideas, making it an essential skill for problem solvers of all kinds.

Benefits of sketching in problem-solving

The act of sketching offers several benefits when it comes to problem solving. Here are some of the key advantages:

Visualization: Sketching allows problem solvers to translate abstract concepts and thoughts into tangible visual representations. By visually depicting ideas, it becomes easier to understand and analyze them.

Creative exploration: Sketching encourages divergent thinking and supports the exploration of multiple ideas and solutions. By sketching various possibilities, problem solvers can uncover new connections and possibilities that may not have been apparent before.

Clarity and comprehension: Sketching helps to simplify complex information and break it down into understandable components. Whether it’s a complex system, a user journey, or a problem statement, sketching enables individuals to see the big picture and grasp key details more easily.

Collaboration and communication: Sketching is a universal language that transcends barriers and facilitates effective collaboration. By sketching out ideas, problem solvers can communicate their thoughts to others quickly and clearly, leading to better collaboration and collective problem-solving.

Tips for sketching effectively

While sketching can be a natural and intuitive process, there are specific techniques and approaches that can make it even more effective. Here are some tips for sketching in problem solving:

Start with simple shapes: Begin by sketching basic shapes to represent various elements. This helps in breaking down complex problems into simpler components that can be easily understood and modified.

Use visual metaphors: Incorporate visual metaphors into your sketches to represent abstract concepts or complex ideas. Metaphors can make your sketches more memorable and relatable while conveying meaning quickly.

Iterate and refine: Don’t be afraid to iterate and refine your sketches. Sketching is an iterative process, and each iteration can bring new insights and improvements. Embrace the notion of “thinking through drawing” and continue to refine your sketches until you reach the desired solution.

Combine words and visuals: Use a combination of words and visuals in your sketches to provide additional context and clarity. Labels, annotations, and short descriptions can help in conveying specific details or explanations that may not be immediately apparent from the visuals alone.

Case studies illustrating the use of sketching to solve complex problems

To illustrate the power of sketching in problem solving, let’s look at a couple of case studies:

Case Study 1: Redesigning a user interface A team of designers is tasked with redesigning a complex user interface for a mobile app. By sketching different layout options, navigation structures, and interaction patterns, the team is able to visualize and explore various design solutions. Through sketching, they identify potential usability issues, determine the optimal layout, and refine their designs iteratively.

Case Study 2: Solving a logistical problem A logistics company is facing challenges in optimizing their supply chain. By sketching out the current process, including transportation routes, warehousing, and delivery schedules, they can visually identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies. With sketching, they are able to propose alternative solutions, such as new routes, improved warehouse layouts, and optimized delivery schedules, resulting in significant cost savings and operational improvements.

In conclusion, sketching is a valuable visual thinking hack that enhances problem-solving abilities. By embracing sketching as a tool, individuals can gain better clarity, develop more innovative solutions, and communicate their ideas effectively. Whether it’s brainstorming new ideas or refining existing ones, sketching can be a powerful asset in the problem-solving toolkit. So grab a pen and paper, and start sketching your way to better problem-solving skills!

Visual Thinking Hack #3: Infographics

Infographics are powerful tools that can effectively convey complex information in a visual and easily understandable format. In problem-solving scenarios, infographics can be particularly useful in presenting data, illustrating relationships, and simplifying a concept or problem. Here, we will explore the potential of infographics as a visual thinking hack in problem-solving processes.

The Power of Infographics in Conveying Complex Information

Infographics have gained popularity because they are visually engaging and can present information more effectively than plain text alone. The combination of images, icons, graphs, and text in an infographic helps to break down complex concepts and data into bite-sized, digestible chunks. This makes it easier for the audience to comprehend and retain information, which is crucial for problem-solving scenarios.

How to Create an Effective Infographic for Problem Solving

Creating an effective infographic requires careful planning and consideration of the problem at hand. Here are some key steps to follow when designing an infographic for problem solving:

Define the problem: Clearly identify the problem you are trying to solve. This will help you determine the main focus of your infographic.

Gather relevant data: Collect all the necessary data and information related to the problem. This can include statistics, research findings, case studies, or any other relevant data sources.

Organize the information: Analyze the collected information and identify the key points to be included in your infographic. Organize the information in a logical sequence to ensure clarity and coherence.

Choose an infographic format: Select the appropriate infographic format that best suits the information and problem at hand. This could be a timeline, comparison chart, flowchart, or any other format that effectively presents the information.

Design the layout: Create a visually appealing layout for your infographic. Use color, typography, and icons to enhance the visual representation and make it more engaging.

Simplify and streamline: Remember, the goal of an infographic is to simplify complex information. Avoid cluttering the design with unnecessary details and focus on presenting the most relevant and important information.

Test and revise: Before finalizing your infographic, test it with a sample audience to ensure that the information is conveyed clearly and effectively. Incorporate any feedback received and make necessary revisions to improve the overall design.

Examples of Infographics Used in Problem-Solving Scenarios

Infographics can be applied to a wide range of problem-solving scenarios. Here are some examples of how infographics have been used effectively:

Healthcare: An infographic showing the spread of a disease outbreak and the preventive measures to be taken.

Education: An infographic illustrating the steps involved in a complex mathematical problem or explaining a scientific concept.

Business: An infographic presenting market trends and statistics to analyze the performance of a company or industry.

Environment: An infographic depicting the impact of human activities on the environment and suggesting sustainable solutions.

By using infographics in problem-solving scenarios, you can effectively communicate complex information, engage your audience, and facilitate a better understanding of the problem at hand. Infographics have the power to simplify and clarify information, making them an indispensable tool for problem solvers.

In the next visual thinking hack, we will explore the concept of storyboarding and how it can assist in problem solving. Stay tuned!

Visual Thinking Hack #4: Storyboarding

Storytelling is a powerful tool that can be harnessed to foster creativity and innovation. In problem solving, one effective way to visualize a solution is through the use of storyboarding. Storyboarding involves creating a sequence of visualizations or sketches that tell a story about a problem or challenge. It allows problem solvers to break down complex issues into manageable chunks and helps them to explore different possibilities and potential solutions.

Explanation of storyboarding and its relationship to problem solving

Storyboarding is a technique commonly used in the film and animation industry to plan out the visual narrative of a story. It involves creating a series of storyboard frames or panels, each depicting a different scene or action. In problem solving, storyboarding can be used to visually map out the steps or actions needed to solve a problem or to illustrate different scenarios and outcomes.

Storyboarding helps problem solvers to think through the different stages of a problem-solving process and to anticipate potential challenges or roadblocks. By visually mapping out the steps, it enables problem solvers to see the big picture and understand how each component is interconnected. This can lead to more innovative and creative solutions, as well as ensure that all necessary steps are considered and accounted for.

Steps to create a storyboard for problem solving

Creating a storyboard for problem solving involves a series of steps that can be customized depending on the specific problem or challenge at hand. Here is a general framework that can be followed:

Identify the problem: Clearly define the problem or challenge that needs to be solved. This will serve as the central theme or focus of the storyboard.

Break down the problem: Analyze the problem and break it down into smaller components or stages. This will help in setting the sequence of frames in the storyboard.

Define the key actions or steps: Determine the key actions or steps that need to be taken to solve the problem. These actions will form the basis for each frame in the storyboard.

Create the frames: Sketch out each frame or panel of the storyboard, focusing on capturing the key actions or steps identified in the previous step. Use simple and concise visuals to convey the essence of each action.

Arrange the frames: Arrange the frames in a logical sequence that tells a cohesive story. Consider the cause-and-effect relationships between each frame and ensure a smooth flow of actions.

Review and iterate: Review the storyboard and make any necessary revisions or improvements. Seek feedback from others if possible to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the storyboard.

Implement the solution: Once the storyboard is finalized, use it as a guide to implement the solution. The storyboard serves as a visual roadmap, ensuring that all necessary steps are followed and that the problem is effectively addressed.

Case studies demonstrating how storyboarding can lead to innovative solutions

Company X: Company X was facing a decrease in customer satisfaction due to delays in their product delivery. By creating a storyboard that depicted each stage of the delivery process, the problem solvers were able to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks. This led to the implementation of a more streamlined and efficient delivery system, resulting in improved customer satisfaction.

Non-profit organization Y: Non-profit organization Y wanted to increase awareness and donations for their cause. They created a storyboard that showcased the impact of their work and the stories of the individuals they had helped. The storyboard was used in their fundraising campaigns and effectively conveyed the organization’s mission and the importance of supporting their cause.

Storyboarding can be a valuable tool in problem solving as it helps to break down complex problems, visualize potential solutions, and ensure that all necessary steps are considered. By incorporating storyboarding into the problem-solving process, problem solvers can foster creativity, innovation, and effective decision-making.

Visual Thinking Hack #5: Visual Note-Taking

Visual note-taking is a powerful tool that can greatly enhance problem-solving processes. It involves capturing key information, ideas, and insights through a combination of words and visuals. This approach not only helps organize thoughts but also facilitates better retention and recall of information.

The benefits of visual note-taking in problem solving

Visual note-taking offers several advantages that can contribute to more effective problem solving. Here are some of the key benefits:

Enhanced comprehension : Visual notes provide a visual representation of ideas and concepts, making it easier to understand and grasp complex information. By using images, symbols, and diagrams, visual note-taking can help break down complex concepts into simpler components, improving overall comprehension.

Improved memory retention : Research shows that visual information is more memorable than text-based information. When we combine words with visuals, we engage multiple aspects of our brain, which can lead to better retention and recall of information. This can be especially valuable when solving problems that require us to remember and connect multiple pieces of information.

Facilitates connections and insights : Visual note-taking encourages us to make connections between different ideas and concepts. By visually representing relationships, patterns, and associations, we can identify new insights and alternative perspectives. This can lead to more innovative and creative problem-solving approaches.

Techniques for taking visual notes effectively

To maximize the benefits of visual note-taking, consider employing the following techniques:

Use a combination of words and visuals : Visual note-taking involves the integration of both words and visuals. Instead of relying solely on written notes, try incorporating simple sketches, symbols, diagrams, and arrows to illustrate and represent ideas. This visual representation can help reinforce understanding and aid in memory recall.

Keep it visual : Focus on creating visual representations of ideas rather than trying to replicate the text verbatim. Use images, icons, and symbols to summarize and convey key points. This not only makes your notes more visually appealing but also helps trigger memory recall.

Organize and hierarchy : Create a clear hierarchical structure to organize your visual notes. Use different font sizes, colors, and visual elements to indicate importance, relationships, and levels of detail. This organization will make your notes easier to navigate and comprehend.

Experiment and personalize : Visual note-taking is a highly individual process, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Experiment with different techniques and styles to find what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to personalize your notes with your own creative flair.

Real-world examples of visual note-taking in problem-solving situations

Visual note-taking can be applied to various problem-solving scenarios. Here are some real-world examples:

Meetings and brainstorming sessions : Instead of traditional meeting minutes, try capturing key ideas, action items, and decisions through visual note-taking. This approach not only makes meetings more engaging but also helps participants remember and understand the discussion points.

Lectures and presentations : Visual note-taking can be a valuable tool for students and professionals attending lectures or presentations. By visually summarizing the main points, key concepts, and supporting examples, you can better absorb and retain the information.

Project planning and management : When planning and managing projects, visual note-taking can help organize tasks, timelines, and dependencies. By creating visual representations of project plans, you can easily identify bottlenecks, prioritize tasks, and communicate the overall project vision to stakeholders.

Problem solving and decision making : Visual note-taking can be particularly helpful when working through complex problems or making decisions. By visually mapping out the problem or decision factors, you can identify patterns, connections, and potential solutions more effectively.

In conclusion, visual note-taking is a valuable visual thinking hack that can greatly enhance problem-solving processes. By combining words and visuals, it improves comprehension, memory retention, and encourages creative connections and insights. Experiment with different techniques and apply visual note-taking in various problem-solving scenarios to unlock its full potential. Embrace the power of visual thinking and take your problem-solving skills to the next level.

In conclusion, visual thinking is a powerful tool that can greatly enhance problem-solving skills. The visual thinking hacks covered in this blog provide practical techniques and strategies that can be applied in a variety of problem-solving scenarios.

By incorporating mind mapping as a way to visually organize information, individuals can gain a clearer understanding of complex problems and identify possible solutions. The step-by-step guide to creating a mind map, along with the examples provided, demonstrate how this visual thinking hack can be effectively utilized.

Sketching is another visual thinking hack that offers numerous benefits in problem solving. By visually representing ideas and concepts, sketching allows for better communication and collaboration. The tips provided for effective sketching, as well as the case studies presented, illustrate how sketching can lead to creative and innovative solutions.

Infographics, as a visual representation of complex information, have the power to simplify and clarify problems. The guidance on creating effective infographics for problem-solving purposes, along with the examples showcased, highlight the potential of this visual thinking hack in conveying information and generating insights.

Storyboarding, a technique commonly used in the film industry, can also be a valuable tool in problem solving. By creating a visual narrative, storyboarders are able to identify the key components of a problem and explore different solutions. The steps provided for creating a storyboard, along with the case studies shared, demonstrate the impact of storyboarding in fostering innovation and problem solving.

Visual note-taking, the final visual thinking hack covered, is a technique that enhances memory retention and understanding. By using images, diagrams, and symbols, individuals can better capture and organize information. The techniques for effective visual note-taking, as well as the real-world examples included, showcase its effectiveness in problem-solving situations.

Incorporating visual thinking into problem-solving processes offers numerous benefits. It fosters creativity, promotes innovation, and enhances communication and collaboration. By utilizing the visual thinking hacks discussed, individuals can become better problem solvers and approach challenges with a fresh perspective.

It is important to recognize the value of visual thinking in problem solving and to encourage its adoption in various fields and professions. By embracing visual thinking, we can unlock new insights, generate creative solutions, and tackle complex problems in more effective and efficient ways.

In conclusion, visual thinking is not just a powerful problem-solving tool, but also a catalyst for creativity, innovation, and growth. So, embrace visual thinking and unlock your full problem-solving potential!

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Nine essential problem solving tools: The ultimate guide to finding a solution

October 26, 2023 by MindManager Blog

Problem solving may unfold differently depending on the industry, or even the department you work in. However, most agree that before you can fix any issue, you need to be clear on what it is, why it’s happening, and what your ideal long-term solution will achieve.

Understanding both the nature and the cause of a problem is the only way to figure out which actions will help you resolve it.

Given that most problem-solving processes are part inspiration and part perspiration, you’ll be more successful if you can reach for a problem solving tool that facilitates collaboration, encourages creative thinking, and makes it easier to implement the fix you devise.

The problem solving tools include three unique categories: problem solving diagrams, problem solving mind maps, and problem solving software solutions.

They include:

Fishbone diagrams
Strategy maps
Mental maps
Concept maps
Layered process audit software
Charting software
MindManager

In this article, we’ve put together a roundup of versatile problem solving tools and software to help you and your team map out and repair workplace issues as efficiently as possible.

Let’s get started!

Problem solving diagrams

Mapping your way out of a problem is the simplest way to see where you are, and where you need to end up.

Not only do visual problem maps let you plot the most efficient route from Point A (dysfunctional situation) to Point B (flawless process), problem mapping diagrams make it easier to see:

The root cause of a dilemma.
The steps, resources, and personnel associated with each possible solution.
The least time-consuming, most cost-effective options.

A visual problem solving process help to solidify understanding. Furthermore, it’s a great way for you and your team to transform abstract ideas into a practical, reconstructive plan.

Here are three examples of common problem mapping diagrams you can try with your team:

1. Fishbone diagrams

Fishbone diagrams are a common problem solving tool so-named because, once complete, they resemble the skeleton of a fish.

With the possible root causes of an issue (the ribs) branching off from either side of a spine line attached to the head (the problem), dynamic fishbone diagrams let you:

Lay out a related set of possible reasons for an existing problem
Investigate each possibility by breaking it out into sub-causes
See how contributing factors relate to one another

Fishbone diagrams are also known as cause and effect or Ishikawa diagrams.

2. Flowcharts

A flowchart is an easy-to-understand diagram with a variety of applications. But you can use it to outline and examine how the steps of a flawed process connect.

Made up of a few simple symbols linked with arrows indicating workflow direction, flowcharts clearly illustrate what happens at each stage of a process – and how each event impacts other events and decisions.

3. Strategy maps

Frequently used as a strategic planning tool, strategy maps also work well as problem mapping diagrams. Based on a hierarchal system, thoughts and ideas can be arranged on a single page to flesh out a potential resolution.

Once you’ve got a few tactics you feel are worth exploring as possible ways to overcome a challenge, a strategy map will help you establish the best route to your problem-solving goal.

Problem solving mind maps

Problem solving mind maps are especially valuable in visualization. Because they facilitate the brainstorming process that plays a key role in both root cause analysis and the identification of potential solutions, they help make problems more solvable.

Mind maps are diagrams that represent your thinking. Since many people struggle taking or working with hand-written or typed notes, mind maps were designed to let you lay out and structure your thoughts visually so you can play with ideas, concepts, and solutions the same way your brain does.

By starting with a single notion that branches out into greater detail, problem solving mind maps make it easy to:

Explain unfamiliar problems or processes in less time
Share and elaborate on novel ideas
Achieve better group comprehension that can lead to more effective solutions

Mind maps are a valuable problem solving tool because they’re geared toward bringing out the flexible thinking that creative solutions require. Here are three types of problem solving mind maps you can use to facilitate the brainstorming process.

4. Mental maps

A mental map helps you get your thoughts about what might be causing a workplace issue out of your head and onto a shared digital space.

Because mental maps mirror the way our brains take in and analyze new information, using them to describe your theories visually will help you and your team work through and test those thought models.

5. Idea maps

Idea maps let you take advantage of a wide assortment of colors and images to lay down and organize your scattered thought process. Idea maps are ideal brainstorming tools because they allow you to present and explore ideas about the best way to solve a problem collaboratively, and with a shared sense of enthusiasm for outside-the-box thinking.

6. Concept maps

Concept maps are one of the best ways to shape your thoughts around a potential solution because they let you create interlinked, visual representations of intricate concepts.

By laying out your suggested problem-solving process digitally – and using lines to form and define relationship connections – your group will be able to see how each piece of the solution puzzle connects with another.

Problem solving software solutions

Problem solving software is the best way to take advantage of multiple problem solving tools in one platform. While some software programs are geared toward specific industries or processes – like manufacturing or customer relationship management, for example – others, like MindManager , are purpose-built to work across multiple trades, departments, and teams.

Here are three problem-solving software examples.

7. Layered process audit software

Layered process audits (LPAs) help companies oversee production processes and keep an eye on the cost and quality of the goods they create. Dedicated LPA software makes problem solving easier for manufacturers because it helps them see where costly leaks are occurring and allows all levels of management to get involved in repairing those leaks.

8. Charting software

Charting software comes in all shapes and sizes to fit a variety of business sectors. Pareto charts, for example, combine bar charts with line graphs so companies can compare different problems or contributing factors to determine their frequency, cost, and significance. Charting software is often used in marketing, where a variety of bar charts and X-Y axis diagrams make it possible to display and examine competitor profiles, customer segmentation, and sales trends.

9. MindManager

No matter where you work, or what your problem-solving role looks like, MindManager is a problem solving software that will make your team more productive in figuring out why a process, plan, or project isn’t working the way it should.

Once you know why an obstruction, shortfall, or difficulty exists, you can use MindManager’s wide range of brainstorming and problem mapping diagrams to:

Find the most promising way to correct the situation
Activate your chosen solution, and
Conduct regular checks to make sure your repair work is sustainable

MindManager is the ultimate problem solving software.

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Learn Creative Problem Solving Techniques to Stimulate Innovation in Your Organization

By Kate Eby | October 20, 2017 (updated August 27, 2021)

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In today’s competitive business landscape, organizations need processes in place to make strong, well-informed, and innovative decisions. Problem solving - in particular creative problem solving (CPS) - is a key skill in learning how to accurately identify problems and their causes, generate potential solutions, and evaluate all the possibilities to arrive at a strong corrective course of action. Every team in any organization, regardless of department or industry, needs to be effective, creative, and quick when solving problems.

In this article, we’ll discuss traditional and creative problem solving, and define the steps, best practices, and common barriers associated. After that, we’ll provide helpful methods and tools to identify the cause(s) of problematic situations, so you can get to the root of the issue and start to generate solutions. Then, we offer nearly 20 creative problem solving techniques to implement at your organization, or even in your personal life. Along the way, experts weigh in on the importance of problem solving, and offer tips and tricks.

What Is Problem Solving and Decision Making?

Problem solving is the process of working through every aspect of an issue or challenge to reach a solution. Decision making is choosing one of multiple proposed solutions — therefore, this process also includes defining and evaluating all potential options. Decision making is often one step of the problem solving process, but the two concepts are distinct.

Collective problem solving is problem solving that includes many different parties and bridges the knowledge of different groups. Collective problem solving is common in business problem solving because workplace decisions typically affect more than one person.

Problem solving, especially in business, is a complicated science. Not only are business conflicts multifaceted, but they often involve different personalities, levels of authority, and group dynamics. In recent years, however, there has been a rise in psychology-driven problem solving techniques, especially for the workplace. In fact, the psychology of how people solve problems is now studied formally in academic disciplines such as psychology and cognitive science.

Joe Carella is the Assistant Dean for Executive Education at the University of Arizona . Joe has over 20 years of experience in helping executives and corporations in managing change and developing successful business strategies. His doctoral research and executive education engagements have seen him focus on corporate strategy, decision making and business performance with a variety of corporate clients including Hershey’s, Chevron, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Intel, DP World, Essilor, BBVA Compass Bank.

He explains some of the basic psychology behind problem solving: “When our brain is engaged in the process of solving problems, it is engaged in a series of steps where it processes and organizes the information it receives while developing new knowledge it uses in future steps. Creativity is embedded in this process by incorporating diverse inputs and/or new ways of organizing the information received.”

Laura MacLeod is a Professor of Social Group Work at City University of New York, and the creator of From The Inside Out Project® , a program that coaches managers in team leadership for a variety of workplaces. She has a background in social work and over two decades of experience as a union worker, and currently leads talks on conflict resolution, problem solving, and listening skills at conferences across the country.

MacLeod thinks of problem solving as an integral practice of successful organizations. “Problem solving is a collaborative process — all voices are heard and connected, and resolution is reached by the group,” she says. “Problems and conflicts occur in all groups and teams in the workplace, but if leaders involve everyone in working through, they will foster cohesion, engagement, and buy in. Everybody wins.”

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What Is the First Step in Solving a Problem?

Although problem solving techniques vary procedurally, experts agree that the first step in solving a problem is defining the problem. Without a clear articulation of the problem at stake, it is impossible to analyze all the key factors and actors, generate possible solutions, and then evaluate them to pick the best option.

Dr. Elliott Jaffa is a behavioral and management psychologist with over 25 years of problem solving training and management experience. “Start with defining the problem you want to solve,” he says, “And then define where you want to be, what you want to come away with.” He emphasizes these are the first steps in creating an actionable, clear solution.

Bryan Mattimore is Co-Founder of Growth Engine, an 18-year old innovation agency based in Norwalk, CT. Bryan has facilitated over 1,000 ideation sessions and managed over 200 successful innovation projects leading to over $3 billion in new sales. His newest book is 21 Days to a Big Idea . When asked about the first critical component to successful problem solving, Mattimore says, “Defining the challenge correctly, or ‘solving the right problem’ … The three creative techniques we use to help our clients ‘identify the right problem to be solved’ are questioning assumptions, 20 questions, and problem redefinition. A good example of this was a new product challenge from a client to help them ‘invent a new iron. We got them to redefine the challenge as first: a) inventing new anti-wrinkle devices, and then b) inventing new garment care devices.”

What Are Problem Solving Skills?

To understand the necessary skills in problem solving, you should first understand the types of thinking often associated with strong decision making. Most problem solving techniques look for a balance between the following binaries:

Convergent vs. Divergent Thinking: Convergent thinking is bringing together disparate information or ideas to determine a single best answer or solution. This thinking style values logic, speed, and accuracy, and leaves no chance for ambiguity. Divergent thinking is focused on generating new ideas to identify and evaluate multiple possible solutions, often uniting ideas in unexpected combinations. Divergent thinking is characterized by creativity, complexity, curiosity, flexibility, originality, and risk-taking.
Pragmatics vs. Semantics: Pragmatics refer to the logic of the problem at hand, and semantics is how you interpret the problem to solve it. Both are important to yield the best possible solution.
Mathematical vs. Personal Problem Solving: Mathematical problem solving involves logic (usually leading to a single correct answer), and is useful for problems that involve numbers or require an objective, clear-cut solution. However, many workplace problems also require personal problem solving, which includes interpersonal, collaborative, and emotional intuition and skills.

The following basic methods are fundamental problem solving concepts. Implement them to help balance the above thinking models.

Reproductive Thinking: Reproductive thinking uses past experience to solve a problem. However, be careful not to rely too heavily on past solutions, and to evaluate current problems individually, with their own factors and parameters.
Idea Generation: The process of generating many possible courses of action to identify a solution. This is most commonly a team exercise because putting everyone’s ideas on the table will yield the greatest number of potential solutions.

However, many of the most critical problem solving skills are “soft” skills: personal and interpersonal understanding, intuitiveness, and strong listening.

Mattimore expands on this idea: “The seven key skills to be an effective creative problem solver that I detail in my book Idea Stormers: How to Lead and Inspire Creative Breakthroughs are: 1) curiosity 2) openness 3) a willingness to embrace ambiguity 4) the ability to identify and transfer principles across categories and disciplines 5) the desire to search for integrity in ideas, 6) the ability to trust and exercise “knowingness” and 7) the ability to envision new worlds (think Dr. Seuss, Star Wars, Hunger Games, Harry Potter, etc.).”

“As an individual contributor to problem solving it is important to exercise our curiosity, questioning, and visioning abilities,” advises Carella. “As a facilitator it is essential to allow for diverse ideas to emerge, be able to synthesize and ‘translate’ other people’s thinking, and build an extensive network of available resources.”

MacLeod says the following interpersonal skills are necessary to effectively facilitate group problem solving: “The abilities to invite participation (hear all voices, encourage silent members), not take sides, manage dynamics between the monopolizer, the scapegoat, and the bully, and deal with conflict (not avoiding it or shutting down).”

Furthermore, Jaffa explains that the skills of a strong problem solver aren’t measurable. The best way to become a creative problem solver, he says, is to do regular creative exercises that keep you sharp and force you to think outside the box. Carella echoes this sentiment: “Neuroscience tells us that creativity comes from creating novel neural paths. Allow a few minutes each day to exercise your brain with novel techniques and brain ‘tricks’ – read something new, drive to work via a different route, count backwards, smell a new fragrance, etc.”

What Is Creative Problem Solving? History, Evolution, and Core Principles

Creative problem solving (CPS) is a method of problem solving in which you approach a problem or challenge in an imaginative, innovative way. The goal of CPS is to come up with innovative solutions, make a decision, and take action quickly. Sidney Parnes and Alex Osborn are credited with developing the creative problem solving process in the 1950s. The concept was further studied and developed at SUNY Buffalo State and the Creative Education Foundation.

The core principles of CPS include the following:

Balance divergent and convergent thinking
Ask problems as questions
Defer or suspend judgement
Focus on “Yes, and…” rather than “No, but…”

According to Carella, “Creative problem solving is the mental process used for generating innovative and imaginative ideas as a solution to a problem or a challenge. Creative problem solving techniques can be pursued by individuals or groups.”

When asked to define CPS, Jaffa explains that it is, by nature, difficult to create boundaries for. “Creative problem solving is not cut and dry,” he says, “If you ask 100 different people the definition of creative problem solving, you’ll get 100 different responses - it’s a non-entity.”

Business presents a unique need for creative problem solving. Especially in today’s competitive landscape, organizations need to iterate quickly, innovate with intention, and constantly be at the cutting-edge of creativity and new ideas to succeed. Developing CPS skills among your workforce not only enables you to make faster, stronger in-the-moment decisions, but also inspires a culture of collaborative work and knowledge sharing. When people work together to generate multiple novel ideas and evaluate solutions, they are also more likely to arrive at an effective decision, which will improve business processes and reduce waste over time. In fact, CPS is so important that some companies now list creative problem solving skills as a job criteria.

MacLeod reiterates the vitality of creative problem solving in the workplace. “Problem solving is crucial for all groups and teams,” she says. “Leaders need to know how to guide the process, hear all voices and involve all members - it’s not easy.”

“This mental process [of CPS] is especially helpful in work environments where individuals and teams continuously struggle with new problems and challenges posed by their continuously changing environment,” adds Carella.

Problem Solving Best Practices

By nature, creative problem solving does not have a clear-cut set of do’s and don’ts. Rather, creating a culture of strong creative problem solvers requires flexibility, adaptation, and interpersonal skills. However, there are a several best practices that you should incorporate:

Use a Systematic Approach: Regardless of the technique you use, choose a systematic method that satisfies your workplace conditions and constraints (time, resources, budget, etc.). Although you want to preserve creativity and openness to new ideas, maintaining a structured approach to the process will help you stay organized and focused.
View Problems as Opportunities: Rather than focusing on the negatives or giving up when you encounter barriers, treat problems as opportunities to enact positive change on the situation. In fact, some experts even recommend defining problems as opportunities, to remain proactive and positive.
Change Perspective: Remember that there are multiple ways to solve any problem. If you feel stuck, changing perspective can help generate fresh ideas. A perspective change might entail seeking advice of a mentor or expert, understanding the context of a situation, or taking a break and returning to the problem later. “A sterile or familiar environment can stifle new thinking and new perspectives,” says Carella. “Make sure you get out to draw inspiration from spaces and people out of your usual reach.”
Break Down Silos: To invite the greatest possible number of perspectives to any problem, encourage teams to work cross-departmentally. This not only combines diverse expertise, but also creates a more trusting and collaborative environment, which is essential to effective CPS. According to Carella, “Big challenges are always best tackled by a group of people rather than left to a single individual. Make sure you create a space where the team can concentrate and convene.”
Employ Strong Leadership or a Facilitator: Some companies choose to hire an external facilitator that teaches problem solving techniques, best practices, and practicums to stimulate creative problem solving. But, internal managers and staff can also oversee these activities. Regardless of whether the facilitator is internal or external, choose a strong leader who will value others’ ideas and make space for creative solutions. Mattimore has specific advice regarding the role of a facilitator: “When facilitating, get the group to name a promising idea (it will crystalize the idea and make it more memorable), and facilitate deeper rather than broader. Push for not only ideas, but how an idea might specifically work, some of its possible benefits, who and when would be interested in an idea, etc. This fleshing-out process with a group will generate fewer ideas, but at the end of the day will yield more useful concepts that might be profitably pursued.” Additionally, Carella says that “Executives and managers don’t necessarily have to be creative problem solvers, but need to make sure that their teams are equipped with the right tools and resources to make this happen. Also they need to be able to foster an environment where failing fast is accepted and celebrated.”
Evaluate Your Current Processes: This practice can help you unlock bottlenecks, and also identify gaps in your data and information management, both of which are common roots of business problems.

MacLeod offers the following additional advice, “Always get the facts. Don’t jump too quickly to a solution – working through [problems] takes time and patience.”

Mattimore also stresses that how you introduce creative problem solving is important. “Do not start by introducing a new company-wide innovation process,” he says. “Instead, encourage smaller teams to pursue specific creative projects, and then build a process from the ground up by emulating these smaller teams’ successful approaches. We say: ‘You don’t innovate by changing the culture, you change the culture by innovating.’”

Barriers to Effective Problem Solving

Learning how to effectively solve problems is difficult and takes time and continual adaptation. There are several common barriers to successful CPS, including:

Confirmation Bias: The tendency to only search for or interpret information that confirms a person’s existing ideas. People misinterpret or disregard data that doesn’t align with their beliefs.
Mental Set: People’s inclination to solve problems using the same tactics they have used to solve problems in the past. While this can sometimes be a useful strategy (see Analogical Thinking in a later section), it often limits inventiveness and creativity.
Functional Fixedness: This is another form of narrow thinking, where people become “stuck” thinking in a certain way and are unable to be flexible or change perspective.
Unnecessary Constraints: When people are overwhelmed with a problem, they can invent and impose additional limits on solution avenues. To avoid doing this, maintain a structured, level-headed approach to evaluating causes, effects, and potential solutions.
Groupthink: Be wary of the tendency for group members to agree with each other — this might be out of conflict avoidance, path of least resistance, or fear of speaking up. While this agreeableness might make meetings run smoothly, it can actually stunt creativity and idea generation, therefore limiting the success of your chosen solution.
Irrelevant Information: The tendency to pile on multiple problems and factors that may not even be related to the challenge at hand. This can cloud the team’s ability to find direct, targeted solutions.
Paradigm Blindness: This is found in people who are unwilling to adapt or change their worldview, outlook on a particular problem, or typical way of processing information. This can erode the effectiveness of problem solving techniques because they are not aware of the narrowness of their thinking, and therefore cannot think or act outside of their comfort zone.

According to Jaffa, the primary barrier of effective problem solving is rigidity. “The most common things people say are, ‘We’ve never done it before,’ or ‘We’ve always done it this way.’” While these feelings are natural, Jaffa explains that this rigid thinking actually precludes teams from identifying creative, inventive solutions that result in the greatest benefit.

“The biggest barrier to creative problem solving is a lack of awareness – and commitment to – training employees in state-of-the-art creative problem-solving techniques,” Mattimore explains. “We teach our clients how to use ideation techniques (as many as two-dozen different creative thinking techniques) to help them generate more and better ideas. Ideation techniques use specific and customized stimuli, or ‘thought triggers’ to inspire new thinking and new ideas.”

MacLeod adds that ineffective or rushed leadership is another common culprit. “We're always in a rush to fix quickly,” she says. “Sometimes leaders just solve problems themselves, making unilateral decisions to save time. But the investment is well worth it — leaders will have less on their plates if they can teach and eventually trust the team to resolve. Teams feel empowered and engagement and investment increases.”

Strategies for Problem Cause Identification

As discussed, most experts agree that the first and most crucial step in problem solving is defining the problem. Once you’ve done this, however, it may not be appropriate to move straight to the solution phase. Rather, it is often helpful to identify the cause(s) of the problem: This will better inform your solution planning and execution, and help ensure that you don’t fall victim to the same challenges in the future.

Below are some of the most common strategies for identifying the cause of a problem:

Root Cause Analysis: This method helps identify the most critical cause of a problem. A factor is considered a root cause if removing it prevents the problem from recurring. Performing a root cause analysis is a 12 step process that includes: define the problem, gather data on the factors contributing to the problem, group the factors based on shared characteristics, and create a cause-and-effect timeline to determine the root cause. After that, you identify and evaluate corrective actions to eliminate the root cause.

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Problem Solving Techniques and Strategies

In this section, we’ll explain several traditional and creative problem solving methods that you can use to identify challenges, create actionable goals, and resolve problems as they arise. Although there is often procedural and objective crossover among techniques, they are grouped by theme so you can identify which method works best for your organization.

Divergent Creative Problem Solving Techniques

Brainstorming: One of the most common methods of divergent thinking, brainstorming works best in an open group setting where everyone is encouraged to share their creative ideas. The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible – you analyze, critique, and evaluate the ideas only after the brainstorming session is complete. To learn more specific brainstorming techniques, read this article .

Mind Mapping: This is a visual thinking tool where you graphically depict concepts and their relation to one another. You can use mind mapping to structure the information you have, analyze and synthesize it, and generate solutions and new ideas from there. The goal of a mind map is to simplify complicated problems so you can more clearly identify solutions.

Appreciative Inquiry (AI): The basic assumption of AI is that “an organization is a mystery to be embraced.” Using this principle, AI takes a positive, inquisitive approach to identifying the problem, analyzing the causes, and presenting possible solutions. The five principles of AI emphasize dialogue, deliberate language and outlook, and social bonding.

Lateral Thinking: This is an indirect problem solving approach centered on the momentum of idea generation. As opposed to critical thinking, where people value ideas based on their truth and the absence of errors, lateral thinking values the “movement value” of new ideas: This means that you reward team members for producing a large volume of new ideas rapidly. With this approach, you’ll generate many new ideas before approving or rejecting any.

Problem Solving Techniques to Change Perspective

Constructive Controversy: This is a structured approach to group decision making to preserve critical thinking and disagreement while maintaining order. After defining the problem and presenting multiple courses of action, the group divides into small advocacy teams who research, analyze, and refute a particular option. Once each advocacy team has presented its best-case scenario, the group has a discussion (advocacy teams still defend their presented idea). Arguing and playing devil’s advocate is encouraged to reach an understanding of the pros and cons of each option. Next, advocacy teams abandon their cause and evaluate the options openly until they reach a consensus. All team members formally commit to the decision, regardless of whether they advocated for it at the beginning. You can learn more about the goals and steps in constructive controversy here .

Carella is a fan of this approach. “Create constructive controversy by having two teams argue the pros and cons of a certain idea,” he says. “It forces unconscious biases to surface and gives space for new ideas to formulate.”

Abstraction: In this method, you apply the problem to a fictional model of the current situation. Mapping an issue to an abstract situation can shed extraneous or irrelevant factors, and reveal places where you are overlooking obvious solutions or becoming bogged down by circumstances.

Analogical Thinking: Also called analogical reasoning , this method relies on an analogy: using information from one problem to solve another problem (these separate problems are called domains). It can be difficult for teams to create analogies among unrelated problems, but it is a strong technique to help you identify repeated issues, zoom out and change perspective, and prevent the problems from occurring in the future. .

CATWOE: This framework ensures that you evaluate the perspectives of those whom your decision will impact. The factors and questions to consider include (which combine to make the acronym CATWOE):

Customers: Who is on the receiving end of your decisions? What problem do they currently have, and how will they react to your proposed solution?
Actors: Who is acting to bring your solution to fruition? How will they respond and be affected by your decision?
Transformation Process: What processes will you employ to transform your current situation and meet your goals? What are the inputs and outputs?
World View: What is the larger context of your proposed solution? What is the larger, big-picture problem you are addressing?
Owner: Who actually owns the process? How might they influence your proposed solution (positively or negatively), and how can you influence them to help you?
Environmental Constraints: What are the limits (environmental, resource- and budget-wise, ethical, legal, etc.) on your ideas? How will you revise or work around these constraints?

Complex Problem Solving

Soft Systems Methodology (SSM): For extremely complex problems, SSM can help you identify how factors interact, and determine the best course of action. SSM was borne out of organizational process modeling and general systems theory, which hold that everything is part of a greater, interconnected system: This idea works well for “hard” problems (where logic and a single correct answer are prioritized), and less so for “soft” problems (i.e., human problems where factors such as personality, emotions, and hierarchy come into play). Therefore, SSM defines a seven step process for problem solving:

Begin with the problem or problematic situation
Express the problem or situation and build a rich picture of the themes of the problem
Identify the root causes of the problem (most commonly with CATWOE)
Build conceptual models of human activity surrounding the problem or situation
Compare models with real-world happenings
Identify changes to the situation that are both feasible and desirable
Take action to implement changes and improve the problematic situation

SSM can be used for any complex soft problem, and is also a useful tool in change management .

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA): This method helps teams anticipate potential problems and take steps to mitigate them. Use FMEA when you are designing (redesigning) a complex function, process, product, or service. First, identify the failure modes, which are the possible ways that a project could fail. Then, perform an effects analysis to understand the consequences of each of the potential downfalls. This exercise is useful for internalizing the severity of each potential failure and its effects so you can make adjustments or safeties in your plan.

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Problem Solving Based on Data or Logic (Heuristic Methods)

TRIZ: A Russian-developed problem solving technique that values logic, analysis, and forecasting over intuition or soft reasoning. TRIZ (translated to “theory of inventive problem solving” or TIPS in English) is a systematic approach to defining and identifying an inventive solution to difficult problems. The method offers several strategies for arriving at an inventive solution, including a contradictions matrix to assess trade-offs among solutions, a Su-Field analysis which uses formulas to describe a system by its structure, and ARIZ (algorithm of inventive problem solving) which uses algorithms to find inventive solutions.

Inductive Reasoning: A logical method that uses evidence to conclude that a certain answer is probable (this is opposed to deductive reasoning, where the answer is assumed to be true). Inductive reasoning uses a limited number of observations to make useful, logical conclusions (for example, the Scientific Method is an extreme example of inductive reasoning). However, this method doesn’t always map well to human problems in the workplace — in these instances, managers should employ intuitive inductive reasoning , which allows for more automatic, implicit conclusions so that work can progress. This, of course, retains the principle that these intuitive conclusions are not necessarily the one and only correct answer.

Process-Oriented Problem Solving Methods

Plan Do Check Act (PDCA): This is an iterative management technique used to ensure continual improvement of products or processes. First, teams plan (establish objectives to meet desired end results), then do (implement the plan, new processes, or produce the output), then check (compare expected with actual results), and finally act (define how the organization will act in the future, based on the performance and knowledge gained in the previous three steps).

Means-End Analysis (MEA): The MEA strategy is to reduce the difference between the current (problematic) state and the goal state. To do so, teams compile information on the multiple factors that contribute to the disparity between the current and goal states. Then they try to change or eliminate the factors one by one, beginning with the factor responsible for the greatest difference in current and goal state. By systematically tackling the multiple factors that cause disparity between the problem and desired outcome, teams can better focus energy and control each step of the process.

Hurson’s Productive Thinking Model: This technique was developed by Tim Hurson, and is detailed in his 2007 book Think Better: An Innovator’s Guide to Productive Thinking . The model outlines six steps that are meant to give structure while maintaining creativity and critical thinking: 1) Ask “What is going on?” 2) Ask “What is success?” 3) Ask “What is the question?” 4) Generate answers 5) Forge the solution 6) Align resources.

Control Influence Accept (CIA): The basic premise of CIA is that how you respond to problems determines how successful you will be in overcoming them. Therefore, this model is both a problem solving technique and stress-management tool that ensures you aren’t responding to problems in a reactive and unproductive way. The steps in CIA include:

Control: Identify the aspects of the problem that are within your control.
Influence: Identify the aspects of the problem that you cannot control, but that you can influence.
Accept: Identify the aspects of the problem that you can neither control nor influence, and react based on this composite information.

GROW Model: This is a straightforward problem solving method for goal setting that clearly defines your goals and current situation, and then asks you to define the potential solutions and be realistic about your chosen course of action. The steps break down as follows:

Goal: What do you want?
Reality: Where are you now?
Options: What could you do?
Will: What will you do?

OODA Loop: This acronym stands for observe, orient, decide, and act. This approach is a decision-making cycle that values agility and flexibility over raw human force. It is framed as a loop because of the understanding that any team will continually encounter problems or opponents to success and have to overcome them.

There are also many un-named creative problem solving techniques that follow a sequenced series of steps. While the exact steps vary slightly, they all follow a similar trajectory and aim to accomplish similar goals of problem, cause, and goal identification, idea generation, and active solution implementation.

MacLeod offers her own problem solving procedure, which echoes the above steps:

“1. Recognize the Problem: State what you see. Sometimes the problem is covert. 2. Identify: Get the facts — What exactly happened? What is the issue? 3. and 4. Explore and Connect: Dig deeper and encourage group members to relate their similar experiences. Now you're getting more into the feelings and background [of the situation], not just the facts. 5. Possible Solutions: Consider and brainstorm ideas for resolution. 6. Implement: Choose a solution and try it out — this could be role play and/or a discussion of how the solution would be put in place. 7. Evaluate: Revisit to see if the solution was successful or not.”

Many of these problem solving techniques can be used in concert with one another, or multiple can be appropriate for any given problem. It’s less about facilitating a perfect CPS session, and more about encouraging team members to continually think outside the box and push beyond personal boundaries that inhibit their innovative thinking. So, try out several methods, find those that resonate best with your team, and continue adopting new techniques and adapting your processes along the way.

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Visual problem-solving: The secret sauce of successful teams

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Our brains process visual cues faster and more easily than written or verbal cues. That’s why many of us rely on landmarks to help us navigate around town and why outdoor advertising is heavy on images and light on text.

Because images can often convey meaning more effectively than words, implementing visuals into your problem-solving will help your team easily find solutions faster.

What is visual problem-solving?

Visual problem-solving includes using visual aids like flowcharts, maps, diagrams, and sticky notes in your problem-solving process.

Visual problem-solving helps you to:

Understand the problem : Visuals reveal the way that different elements relate to each other, offering enhanced clarity.
Simplify the problem : Visuals help identify past patterns in your work, allowing you to apply previous solutions to current issues. Visuals can also break down complex elements into smaller, more manageable pieces.

Your exact visual problem-solving process might vary, but it will likely include the following basic steps:

Identify and understand the problem
Gather information that pertains to the problem
Brainstorm and identify missing pieces
Select the best solution
Develop a plan and implement the solution
Review the results and revise as necessary

How can you make problem-solving more visual?

Let’s break down the steps mentioned above to further explore how visuals can take your team to the next level of problem-solving.

Step 1: Identify and understand the problem

There are several different visual tools you can use that will help you identify and better understand the problem at hand. Here are just a couple of suggestions.

A mind map is a visual tool that closely aligns with how our brains work. You start with a central idea and then bounce from one thought to the next in a non-linear fashion while identifying relationships as you go.

Steps for identifying a problem with a mind map might include:

In the center of a page, digital canvas, or whiteboard, write the problem you’re dealing with.
Surrounding your central idea, add what you think might be possible causes of the problem. Connect these ideas back to your initial problem with lines or arrows.
Continue to branch out from each of the ideas circling your central problem. Add examples, details, and any information that will help you to further identify the root problem and its causes. Be sure to show connections between ideas while keeping the most important ideas closest to the center.
Use different colors, diagrams, and shapes to organize the different levels of thought—anything that makes sense to you and helps you identify the most pertinent information.

Mind maps have an endless number of uses. Students can utilize mind maps to brainstorm essay topics, creatives can implement mind maps into their workflow to collect strategy ideas, and management teams can use mind maps to illustrate potential effects of company-wide initiatives.

Cause-and-effect diagrams

To draw a cause-and-effect diagram :

In a box at the right side of a canvas or whiteboard, write your main issue or problem.
Draw a horizontal line from the left edge of the box. This line is known as the spine.
From the spine, draw angled branches that represent a potential cause of the main problem. Each branch can also have sub-branches that contain information that relate to the stated cause.

By analyzing the relationships between your potential causes, you can more easily pinpoint (and solve) the core problem.

Step 2: Gather information that pertains to the problem

Gather information from surveys, website statistics, and so on. Then examine this feedback through pie charts, graphs, sticky notes, and more. By presenting the information visually, you’ll be able to analyze it more efficiently.

Step 3: Brainstorm and identify missing pieces

When brainstorming, encourage quantity over quality. As they say, no ideas are bad ideas when brainstorming. Reinforcing this attitude will empower your team to think quickly, creatively, and collaboratively. It will also provide a platform for everyone to feel comfortable sharing ideas.

Unsurprisingly, this step also generally becomes more effective when visual diagrams are implemented. As previously mentioned, mind maps in particular are great tools to use in a brainstorming session .

Step 4: Select the best solution

You should have a board or canvas full of ideas now. Next, you’ll need to eliminate any proposed solutions that seem less feasible or effective than the others. Once you’re left with plausible ideas, analyze and discuss the potential outcomes of each to determine which one might work best to solve your problem.

You’ll often find that there isn’t just one obvious fix to your problem. You might need to combine several ideas into a solution that will best suit your needs.

One simple exercise developed by Tom Wujec, a pioneer in business visualization, asks you to take two to three minutes to draw your process for making toast . This helps emphasize both how different people think, as well as how many approaches there are to solving a problem.

An exercise like this encourages collaboration and provides your team with applied practice in brainstorming and identifying the best ideas.

Step 5: Develop a plan and implement the solution

To implement a solution, you need to develop a plan—even just a simple one. A plan ensures that your team understands the path to success and knows what actionable steps to take next.

Flowcharts are effective visual aids in plan creation because they typically represent a more linear set of sequences. Using specific shapes and connectors to represent steps and decision paths, it’s easy for people to understand a process flow from start to finish. For example, use a flowchart template to help new hires understand the organization of a company or to illustrate the steps of a work task, like using the copy machine or replacing the printer ink. Or, use flowcharts on a marketing team to visually prepare for a product rollout or an upcoming campaign.

After implementing the solution, share the flowchart so everyone has access to the step-by-step plan. This helps your team members understand their role in the overall solution process.

Step 6: Review the results and revise as necessary

You may have fixed your problem, but that doesn’t mean you’re completely finished with the problem-solving process. Continue to monitor the implementation of your solution and analyze its results. That way, you can revise the process if necessary to increase effectiveness.

Flowcharts can be useful in this step, as well, to preemptively identify issues and process bottlenecks, anticipating and mitigating potential problems before they even occur.

Things to avoid with visual problem-solving

Cut down on inefficiency and wasted time by avoiding these common problem-solving mistakes:

Not having a well-defined problem : Avoid trying to tackle too much at once. Break your problem down into smaller pieces and work your way up to the bigger problems.
Giving up if your solution doesn’t work : Sometimes a clear answer is difficult to find, but exhaust all potential resources before throwing in the towel.
Experiencing new problems when an initial solution is implemented : Don’t expect all issues to be solved right away. Ensure you’ve analyzed every facet of a possible solution in order to avoid future problems down the road.
Failing to create an action plan : Without a strategic action plan, your team will struggle to align and act. Make sure to include a testing period within your plan.

As you get more comfortable using charts, diagrams, and other visuals, you’ll find that it’s easier for team members to quickly align and process important information. Potential problems will be easier to spot and data will make more sense.

Supercharge your problem-solving with a virtual whiteboard like Lucidspark. Lucidspark’s visual collaboration tools bring the whole team together no matter where they are located, keep ideas organized, and empower you to take action on the best ideas.

Take your problem-solving to the next level with Lucidspark.

About Lucidspark

Lucidspark, a cloud-based virtual whiteboard, is a core component of Lucid Software's Visual Collaboration Suite. This cutting-edge digital canvas brings teams together to brainstorm, collaborate, and consolidate collective thinking into actionable next steps—all in real time. Lucid is proud to serve top businesses around the world, including customers such as Google, GE, and NBC Universal, and 99% of the Fortune 500. Lucid partners with industry leaders, including Google, Atlassian, and Microsoft. Since its founding, Lucid has received numerous awards for its products, business, and workplace culture. For more information, visit lucidspark.com.

A complete guide to understand mind mapping, how mind maps are often used, and steps to make a mind map of your own.

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Unlock the power of visual thinking with visual thinking strategies

Create beautiful charts & infographics get started, 13.06.2023 by anete ezera.

Most people are visual learners . According to research , we identify, process, and understand visual information more efficiently than text. That’s one of many reasons why infographics are used to convey information effectively, using images, symbols, and data visualizations. It also explains why it’s difficult for many people to stay focused during a dry lecture or learn only by reading books. Embracing visual thinking can significantly enhance learning and understanding. Visual thinking is a cognitive process that utilizes visual and spatial representations to organize, process, and comprehend information. It harnesses the power of visuals to enhance creativity, problem-solving, and communication. This article explores the concept of visual thinking, its strategies, benefits, and how it compares to verbal thinking. Additionally, we delve into the significance of design as thinking made visual and highlight how Infogram, a data visualization tool, can complement visual thinkers’ capabilities.

Click to jump ahead: What is visual thinking? Visual thinking strategies 1. Mind mapping 2. Storyboarding 3. Visual note-taking Visual thinking examples

What is visual thinking?

Visual thinking refers to the mental process of constructing and manipulating visual images in the mind’s eye. It involves the use of diagrams, sketches, symbols, and other visual tools to represent and manipulate information. Visual thinking enables individuals to better perceive, analyze, and synthesize complex ideas and concepts.

Visual thinking vs. verbal thinking

Verbal thinking and visual thinking are two distinct cognitive processes that help to perceive, process, and communicate information. As previously stated, visual thinking involves the use of mental images, spatial relationships, and visual representations to analyze and understand concepts. It allows individuals to think in pictures and patterns, enabling them to generate creative solutions, recognize visual cues, and engage in imaginative problem-solving.

On the other hand, verbal thinking relies predominantly on linguistic skills, utilizing words, language, and logical reasoning to process information. Verbal thinkers excel in analytical tasks, critical thinking, and articulating their thoughts through language. Both visual and verbal thinking are valuable cognitive styles, each offering unique strengths and preferences in how individuals perceive and interpret the world around them. By recognizing and embracing the power of both visual and verbal thinking, individuals can tap into a broader range of cognitive abilities and enhance their overall problem-solving and communication skills.

A man in a sunny home office writes on a white board with a marker.

Visual thinking strategies

If you seek to improve your learning and understanding process or you want to convey information more effectively ( marketing , advertising, teaching), look out for visual thinking strategies. Visual thinking strategies encompass various techniques that facilitate the application of visual thinking. Some of the most common visual thinking strategies are mind mapping, concept mapping, storyboarding, and visual note-taking. By employing these methods, you can organize information, identify relationships, and generate new insights.

Mind mapping

Mind mapping is a visual thinking and note-taking technique that involves creating a hierarchical diagram to represent ideas, concepts, and their relationships. It is a powerful tool for brainstorming, organizing thoughts, and enhancing creativity.

Key aspects of mind mapping

Central idea: A mind map begins with a central idea or topic placed in the center of the page or screen. It serves as the focal point from which all other ideas radiate.
Branches and sub-branches: The central idea is connected to branches, which represent major themes or categories related to the topic. Each branch can then be further expanded into sub-branches, representing more specific concepts or details.
Keywords and visual elements: Mind maps utilize keywords and short phrases to capture the essence of ideas. Visual elements such as icons, symbols, colors, and images can also be incorporated to enhance understanding, stimulate memory, and add visual appeal.
Non-linear structure: Unlike traditional note-taking methods, mind maps follow a non-linear structure. Ideas can be added, modified, or expanded anywhere on the map, allowing for flexibility and the exploration of different connections and perspectives.

Mind mapping benefits

Enhanced creativity: Mind mapping stimulates creativity by encouraging free-flowing associations and connections between ideas. It enables individuals to explore new possibilities and generate innovative solutions to problems.
Improved comprehension and retention: Mind maps utilize visual-spatial representation, making information more memorable and easier to understand. The visual layout helps the brain organize and connect concepts, aiding in comprehension and long-term retention.
Efficient organization: Mind maps provide a clear overview of complex information, allowing for easy identification of key ideas, relationships, and hierarchies. They help individuals structure their thoughts and present information in a concise and organized manner.
Collaborative tool: Mind maps can be used as collaborative tools for group discussions, brainstorming sessions, and project planning. They promote effective communication, facilitate idea sharing, and foster teamwork.
Versatility: Mind maps can be applied to various tasks and disciplines, including education, project management, problem-solving, and personal organization. They can be created on paper, whiteboards, or using digital mind mapping software.

In summary, mind mapping is a flexible and effective technique that harnesses the power of visualization to enhance creativity, comprehension, and organization. By capturing and organizing ideas in a non-linear and visually engaging format, mind mapping helps individuals explore and communicate complex concepts with clarity and efficiency.

If you want to make your own mind map, you can easily create it using Infogram. Simply select a blank canvas and start creating. Use images , connectors, animations , data visualizations, and more to visualize your concepts and ideas. Get inspired by mind mapping examples here.

Storyboarding

Storyboarding is a visual thinking and planning technique commonly used in various creative fields such as film, animation, advertising, and design. It involves creating a series of sequential visual panels or sketches that depict the key moments, actions, and compositions of a story or project.

Key aspects of storyboarding

Visualizing the story: Storyboarding involves visually depicting the key moments, scenes, and compositions of a story or project. It serves as a visual representation of how the narrative unfolds, allowing creators to visualize and plan the sequence of events.
Sequential panels: Storyboards consist of a series of sequential panels or frames that depict specific moments in the story. Each panel represents a key action, shot, or scene, and they are arranged in a linear sequence to reflect the progression of the story.
Action and movement: Storyboards illustrate the action and movement within each scene. They depict the characters’ poses, gestures, and expressions, as well as the flow of movement from one frame to another. This helps convey the dynamics and pacing of the story.
Visual styling and aesthetics: Storyboards may also incorporate visual styling elements to indicate the desired aesthetics, mood, or visual effects. This can include color schemes, lighting references, or references to specific visual references or inspirations.
Pre-visualization: Storyboarding serves as a pre-visualization tool, allowing creators to assess the visual flow and overall coherence of the story before the actual production begins. It helps identify any potential issues or adjustments needed, saving time and resources during the production phase.

Storyboarding purposes

Visualizing ideas: Storyboards help translate abstract ideas into concrete visuals. By sketching out scenes and sequences, creators can visualize the overall flow of their story or project, identify gaps or inconsistencies, and make necessary adjustments before committing to a final version.
Storytelling and narrative structure: Storyboards enable creators to map out the narrative structure of their project. Each panel represents a specific moment or scene, allowing for a clear visualization of how the story unfolds, including key events, character interactions, and important visual elements.
Planning and collaboration: Storyboarding serves as a blueprint for the production process. It helps plan camera angles, shot compositions, and transitions, aiding in efficient resource allocation and coordination among team members. Storyboards also facilitate communication and collaboration by providing a visual reference that all stakeholders can easily understand and discuss.
Visualizing visual effects and animation: In fields such as film and animation, storyboarding is crucial for pre-visualizing complex visual effects, action sequences, or animated scenes. It allows for experimenting with different visual techniques, camera movements, and timing, helping artists and directors envision and refine the desired visual aesthetics.

Overall, storyboarding is a powerful visual thinking tool that helps streamline the creative process, communicate ideas effectively, and ensure a cohesive and well-planned outcome for various visual storytelling projects .

Visual note-taking

Visual note-taking is a technique that combines words and visuals to capture and represent information during lectures, presentations, meetings, or other learning experiences. It involves using a combination of drawings, icons, symbols, typography, and organizational structures to visually summarize and illustrate key ideas and concepts.

Key aspects of visual note-taking

Visual representation: Visual note-taking emphasizes the use of visuals to complement and enhance written or spoken information. It involves creating quick sketches, diagrams, icons, and other visual elements to represent ideas, objects, processes, and relationships.
Selective and simplified content: Visual note-takers selectively capture and summarize information by focusing on key points, essential ideas, and memorable quotes. They use concise wording and visual symbols to distill complex concepts into more digestible and memorable forms.
Structural layout: Visual notes often follow a structured layout that helps organize and sequence information. This can include the use of visual frameworks such as mind maps, flowcharts, timelines, or grids to visually arrange content in a logical and coherent manner.
Visual hierarchy: Visual note-taking employs visual hierarchy to emphasize the importance and relationships between different elements. This can be achieved through the use of font size, bolding, color coding, arrows, and other visual cues that guide the viewer’s attention and understanding.

Visual note-taking benefits

Improved engagement and focus: Visual note-taking promotes active listening and engagement during lectures or presentations. It encourages note-takers to pay closer attention to the content, identify key ideas, and think critically about how to visually represent them.
Enhanced comprehension and memory: Visual notes combine the power of visuals and text, making information more memorable and easier to understand. The use of visuals aids in visual-spatial learning, which can enhance comprehension and retention of the information being captured.
Creativity and personal expression: Visual note-taking allows individuals to infuse their personal style, creativity, and interpretation into their notes. It provides a creative outlet for expressing ideas and insights in a visually appealing and unique way.
Effective communication and sharing: Visual notes can be easily shared with others to convey complex information in a concise and engaging manner. They serve as visual summaries that capture the essence of a topic, making it easier to communicate ideas, teach others, or revisit information at a glance.

Visual note-taking is a versatile technique that can be adapted to various learning and professional contexts. Whether done on paper or digitally using note-taking apps or tablets, visual note-taking offers a dynamic and visually stimulating approach to capturing and retaining information. Check out a few examples of visual note-taking below. You can easily create these and other types of visual notes using Infogram. Either create them from scratch or use a pre-designed template and fill in the information.

Visual Thinking Examples

Visual thinking finds application in various fields, including education, business, science, and design. Here are a few examples of visual thinking in practice. These include using mind maps to outline ideas, creating visual presentations to engage audiences, employing flowcharts to analyze processes, and utilizing infographics to convey complex data in an accessible manner.

Slide-based presentation templates

Flowchart templates, infographic templates, infogram: empowering visual thinkers.

Visual thinking is a valuable cognitive process that leverages the power of visuals to enhance understanding, problem-solving, and communication. By utilizing visual thinking strategies and embracing design as thinking made visual, individuals can tap into their creative potential and generate innovative solutions. If you’re looking for a tool that would support you in creating engaging and informative visual content, try Infogram. With a user-friendly interface and a wide range of customizable templates, you can transform complex data sets into compelling visuals such as charts, graphs, maps , and infographics . By leveraging Infogram, you can enhance your ability to convey ideas visually and effectively communicate information to your target audience. Try it out today and start creating impactful visuals!

Interested in discovering how Infogram can enhance your team’s work? Join a brief Zoom session with our Infogram representative to explore key features, get answers to your questions, and understand how we can assist. It’s quick, informative, and just like a coffee break chat. Schedule your call now!

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Understanding and Developing Visual-Spatial Intelligence

How good are you at puzzles?

Dr. Amy Marschall is an autistic clinical psychologist with ADHD, working with children and adolescents who also identify with these neurotypes among others. She is certified in TF-CBT and telemental health.

Rachel Goldman, PhD FTOS, is a licensed psychologist, clinical assistant professor, speaker, wellness expert specializing in eating behaviors, stress management, and health behavior change.

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A Note on Intelligence Testing

Examples of Visual-Spatial Intelligence

Assessing visual-spatial intelligence, developing visual-spatial intelligence, exercising your visual-spatial intelligence muscles.

While the field of psychology has struggled for decades to come to an agreement on a comprehensive definition of “ intelligence ,” it is generally recognized that people have varying innate abilities when it comes to acquiring certain skills and knowledge.

Visual-spatial intelligence is one such set of skills that includes the ability to perceive, hold, manipulate, and problem-solve from visual information. When you put together a puzzle, you use visual-spatial skills to identify which pieces have similar colors that go near each other or similar shapes that will fit together.

The concept of visual-spatial intelligence is part of Howard Gardner ’s theory of multiple intelligences, which posits that there are multiple ways for someone to be “intelligent” and that different intelligences come with different strengths. Gardner believed that a singular theory of intelligence drastically overlooked many people’s skills.

Dr. Richard Kraft, Ph.D. and professor of cognitive psychology at Otterbein University, says that “Visual-spatial intelligence is our ability to think about the world in three dimensions. We use visual-spatial intelligence to find our way around and to manipulate mental images of objects and the spaces these objects are in. People with strong visual-spatial intelligence have a good sense of direction, and they know how parts fit together into a whole (like assembling furniture from IKEA).”

According to Dr. Kraft, “We can be accomplished at writing and talking (linguistic intelligence) but have a poor sense of direction (visual-spatial intelligence).” (He may have been talking about the author of this article.)

Learn more about the skills involved in visual-spatial intelligence, how to assess your own visual-spatial abilities, and tips for honing your visual-spatial skills.

First, a Note on Intelligence Testing

Much early research on the concept of intelligence was conducted by white supremacists aiming to develop measures that could “prove” white superiority, and modern intelligence tests continue to uphold oppressive standards by exhibiting ongoing racial bias.

Additionally, the concept of “intelligence” has been used to justify involuntary sterilization of thousands of people on the grounds that they had “inferior” genetics and should not be permitted to reproduce.

Although people have varying levels of skill in different areas, and those who struggle in some areas might need support in order to live their best lives, using concepts like intelligence to decide who is “worthy” to reproduce is eugenicist and harmful.

As such, discussions of the concept of “intelligence” should include acknowledgement of the racist and ableist roots of intelligence testing, and future research must consciously work to undo the harm caused by the field. With this in mind, it can still be beneficial on a personal level to understand individual strengths and knowledge, as well as developing skills.

According to Dr. Kraft, people who have strong visual-spatial intelligence “have a good sense of direction. They can solve puzzles more easily than other people, especially something like the Rubik’s Cube. They can walk into a house and imagine what it would look like after knocking out a wall. Understanding architecture and choreography and film directing comes easily to people with strong visual-spatial intelligence .”

On the other hand, those who struggle with visual-spatial abilities “often get lost, even in familiar spaces, even in buildings they’ve visited many times. They generally have a poor sense of direction and have difficulty thinking in three dimensions.”

When you problem-solve with visual information, put together pieces of a puzzle, or visualize something, you are tapping into your visual-spatial intelligence.

The Wechsler intelligence scales , including the Wechsler Intelligence System for Children, Fifth Edition, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales, Fourth Edition , have Visual-Spatial Index scores which purport to indicate an individual’s visual-spatial intelligence.

Although these tests have the bias issues noted earlier in this article, they can serve as a starting point for assessing one’s ability to manipulate visual information. According to Dr. Kraft, “Standardized assessment usually takes the form of answering questions about drawings of abstract three-dimensional objects. Tests ask what an object or shape will look like if manipulated in some way—often after three-dimensional rotation.”

Dr. Kraft says that it is possible to self-evaluate your visual-spatial skills. You can practice visualizing and manipulating information in your head, or you can see how you perform on visual puzzles and even time yourself as you attempt these problems.

He also recommends finding a quick online test that you can use to assess your visual-spatial intelligence. While online tests cannot definitively determine an individual’s cognitive abilities, they can be a fun starting point to getting to know your own strengths a bit better.

There is disagreement in the field of psychology regarding individuals’ abilities to develop or increase intelligence. Our intellectual abilities are influenced by both genetics and environment . Some types of intelligence are considered dynamic, or changing; for instance, our verbal abilities tend to improve with education. Others are considered static, or fixed. As such, it may be difficult or impossible to change your visual-spatial intelligence even if you can work to build certain skills.

Dr. Kraft stated: “We probably cannot increase our raw visual-spatial intelligence, but we do learn to compensate.” He shared himself as an example: “As it happens, my visual spatial intelligence isn’t strong, and I have difficulty finding my way around. GPS has largely removed that problem.”

Those with weaker visual-spatial intelligence might also compensate because they are stronger in another intelligence. Per Dr. Kraft, someone who struggles with visual-spatial tasks but is good at memorization might be able to remember landmarks or other cues to help them with their sense of direction. Additionally, they can ask for help, such as having a friend go with them to new locations to ensure they do not get lost.

Although we may not be able to significantly change our intelligence, there are activities we can do to maximize our potential. We can also use these activities to mitigate cognitive decline as we age.

Skills that require using your visual-spatial intelligence include:

Solving a Rubik’s Cube
Completing mazes
Putting puzzles together
Reading maps

These activities can both demonstrate your visual-spatial intelligence and allow you to flex your visual-spatial muscles and strengthen your skills in this area. These kinds of brain exercises can strengthen your skills and help you with your sense of direction, problem-solving, and mentally manipulating visual information.

Visual-spatial intelligence is only one of many potential strengths an individual can possess. You can use the activities described here to try and strengthen your visual-spatial abilities. Remember that there is more than one set of skills that goes into being “intelligent,” and struggling in one or many areas is not a personal failing.

Gardner H. Intelligence Reframed: Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century. New York: Basic Books; 1999.

Croizet JC. The Racism of Intelligence: How Mental Testing Practices Have Constituted an Institutionalized Form of Group Domination . Oxford University Press; 2012.

Ajitha Reddy, The Eugenic Origins of IQ Testing: Implications for Post-Atkins Litigation, 57 DePaul L. Rev. 667 (2008) Available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/law-review/vol57/iss3/5

Buschkuehl, M., & Jaeggi, S. M. (2010). Improving intelligence: A literature review. Swiss medical weekly, 140(1920), 266-272.

By Amy Marschall, PsyD Dr. Amy Marschall is an autistic clinical psychologist with ADHD, working with children and adolescents who also identify with these neurotypes among others. She is certified in TF-CBT and telemental health.

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13 Productive Brainstorming Techniques for All Teams

There are times even the typical brainstorming techniques with your team would hit a roadblock. Coming up with fresh new ideas isn’t always so easy.

That’s when you should try something new. Maybe go about brainstorming techniques in a whole new way.

We’ve got 13 effective brainstorming techniques you can use to quickly brainstorm and generate ideas through drawing, writing, and diagramming with your team productively.

13 Brainstorming Techniques to Generate Better Ideas Faster

Brainstorming techniques are structured methods used to generate creative and innovative ideas effectively. These techniques help individuals or teams think more broadly and collaboratively. Here are some common brainstorming techniques every team can use:

1. Brainwriting

2. 5 whys analysis, 3. starbursting, 4. mind mapping, 5. affinity diagram, 6. rolestorming, 7. gap filling, 8. brain-netting, 9. round robin brainstorming, 10. rapid ideation, 11. reverse brainstorming, 12. stepladder brainstorming, 13. swot analysis, what are your favorite brainstorming techniques.

Brainwriting is a collaborative idea-generation technique that is based on written contributions instead of spoken ones. In a brainwriting session, a group of participants is given a specific topic or problem to address. Instead of verbally sharing ideas, each participant writes down their thoughts on the given topic within a set time frame.

Afterward, they pass their written ideas to the person next to them, who then builds upon those ideas or offers new ones. This process continues for several rounds, letting all participants contribute to and expand upon multiple ideas. The collected ideas are later discussed and evaluated, potentially leading to innovative solutions or insights.

Brainwriting is effective because it encourages diverse participation, minimizes domination by a few individuals, and generates a rich pool of ideas. It can be used in both physical and virtual settings, making it a versatile tool.

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The 5 whys analysis is a problem-solving technique used to brainstorm the root causes of an issue by repeatedly asking “why” until the underlying cause is revealed. It’s a structured approach that helps teams dig deeper into a problem’s layers to understand not just the symptoms but the fundamental reasons behind them.

By continuously probing for deeper insights with each “why” question, teams can find the true origin of a problem and develop effective solutions to address it. This method encourages critical thinking and a holistic understanding of complex issues, making it a valuable tool for process improvement and troubleshooting in various industries and contexts.

Starbursting is a brainstorming technique used to generate comprehensive ideas about a specific topic, question, or concept. It involves creating a star-like diagram with the central question or topic at the center and spokes radiating outward, each representing a specific aspect or dimension of the topic. Participants then brainstorm questions related to each aspect, effectively “bursting” out from the central theme.

The purpose of starbursting is to explore a topic from multiple angles, consider various perspectives, and make sure that all relevant aspects are thoroughly examined. It gets participants to think critically, ask probing questions, and generate an array of ideas. Starbursting is often used in problem-solving, idea generation, and decision-making processes.

A mind map is a creative and versatile tool for visually representing ideas or information. It begins with a central idea, theme, or topic placed at the core of the map. From this central point, lines or branches extend outward in various directions. These branches represent related subtopics, concepts, or thoughts associated with the central idea.

It’s a graphic tool that helps individuals organize, explore, and communicate complex thoughts and their interconnections. Mind maps encourage nonlinear thinking and provide a structured way to depict relationships between ideas, making them valuable for brainstorming, planning, and understanding complex subjects.

An affinity diagram is a collaborative method for organizing a multitude of ideas, information, or data into meaningful categories or themes. This technique is particularly useful when faced with complex problems or diverse sets of information.

It involves a group of individuals who contribute their ideas or data, which are then visually grouped around common themes or connections. This process results in a clear, organized diagram that provides insights, reveals patterns, and helps with decision-making by structuring and categorizing the collected information. Affinity diagrams foster collaboration, enable better problem-solving, and offer a structured approach to handling complex data or ideas.

Rolestorming is a creative problem-solving technique that encourages participants to step into different roles or personas to brainstorm new ideas and perspectives. Unlike traditional brainstorming, where participants share ideas from their own viewpoints, rolestorming requires individuals to temporarily adopt a persona or occupation that is related or unrelated to the problem at hand.

By doing so, they can generate fresh ideas and viewpoints that they might not have considered otherwise. This technique leverages creativity and empathy to uncover innovative solutions by looking at the problem through different lenses, ultimately leading to more diverse and inventive ideas.

Gap filling is a problem-solving process that involves brainstorming missing or incomplete information or resources in a particular context or situation and taking steps to address those gaps. It is about recognizing what is needed to bridge the difference between the current state and the desired outcome.

Gap filling can occur in various contexts, such as in project management, education, or even personal development. It often involves a gap analysis of the existing situation, determining what elements are lacking, and then developing strategies or actions to fill those gaps and move closer to achieving a specific goal. It is a proactive approach to problem-solving that aims to optimize a situation by addressing deficiencies or shortcomings.

Brain-netting is an online brainstorming or collaborative thinking technique facilitated through digital tools and platforms. It allows individuals or teams to collectively generate, share, and develop ideas or solutions in a dematerialized, digital environment.

Brain-netting is particularly useful when physical presence is challenging or impossible due to geographical distances or other constraints. It leverages the convenience and accessibility of online communication and collaboration tools like Creately to facilitate productive brainstorming and group reflection sessions, enabling participants to work together effectively despite being in different locations.

Round robin brainstorming is a structured method for generating ideas within a group setting. In this approach, each participant takes turns offering one idea at a time in a predetermined order. The process typically starts with one person, and then moves clockwise or counterclockwise around the group, with each individual contributing their idea when it’s their turn.

This structured rotation gives everyone an equal opportunity to share their thoughts and prevents a few dominant voices from monopolizing the discussion. Round robin brainstorming encourages participation from all group members, promotes diverse idea generation, and can be an effective way to gather a wide range of ideas on a given topic.

Rapid ideation is a creative process in which individuals or teams generate a multitude of ideas quickly and without extensive analysis or evaluation. The goal is to encourage free-flowing, unfiltered idea generation.

During rapid ideation, participants focus on quantity over quality, aiming to generate as many ideas as possible within a short period. This approach often involves setting a time limit and encouraging participants to think creatively and spontaneously. Rapid ideation can be a valuable technique for brainstorming, problem-solving, or generating innovative solutions, as it allows for the exploration of a wide range of possibilities and can lead to unique insights.

Reverse brainstorming is a technique used to explore a problem or challenge by intentionally generating ideas that are the opposite or counter to the desired outcome. Instead of seeking solutions, participants in a reverse brainstorming session focus on identifying potential causes or factors that contribute to the problem.

This process involves encouraging participants to think creatively and even humorously about how to worsen the situation. By doing so, the group can gain a deeper understanding of the problem’s root causes and develop insights into what needs to be avoided or corrected to achieve the desired outcome. Reverse brainstorming can serve as a valuable tool for problem analysis and can lead to more effective problem-solving strategies.

Stepladder brainstorming is a structured approach to group idea generation. It encourages all team members to participate actively in the brainstorming process. In this method, a core group of team members starts by discussing the problem at hand. Afterward, one member, referred to as the “stepladder,” leaves the group temporarily and then returns to share their ideas. The key is that this returning member first discusses their ideas with the initial group members before rejoining the larger group. This process continues as additional team members step out, discuss ideas, and return to contribute their insights.

Stepladder brainstorming has several advantages. It ensures that all team members have a chance to participate and prevents one or two dominant voices from steering the discussion. It also encourages diverse thinking as individuals bring fresh perspectives and ideas back to the group. This structured approach can lead to more comprehensive idea generation and a richer exploration of the topic.

A SWOT analysis is a tool used to assess a situation or decision by examining its inherent strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It can be applied to various scenarios, such as personal decision-making, project planning, or evaluating a course of action.

Strengths: These are the inherent advantages or positive qualities of the situation being considered. They represent the aspects that are favorable, beneficial, or advantageous.

Weaknesses: These are the internal limitations, shortcomings, or drawbacks of the situation.

Opportunities: Opportunities are external factors or conditions that could be leveraged to benefit the situation. They represent chances for growth, improvement, or positive outcomes.

Threats: Threats are external factors or potential obstacles that may pose challenges or risks to the situation. They are factors to be aware of and mitigate if possible.

A SWOT analysis helps individuals or teams make more informed choices by systematically considering these four dimensions. It encourages critical thinking, thorough examination, and a balanced assessment of the situation at hand.

We’ve listed 13 brainstorming techniques that you can use to boost generating ideas with your team. Each of these brainstorming techniques has its unique characteristics and can be tailored to suit different scenarios and team dynamics. Choosing the right technique depends on the specific goals and constraints of the brainstorming session.

If you have any other brainstorming technique that is your favorite way of coming up with new ideas, do share them with us.

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What is Problem Solving? (Steps, Techniques, Examples)

By Status.net Editorial Team on May 7, 2023 — 5 minutes to read

What Is Problem Solving?

Definition and importance.

Problem solving is the process of finding solutions to obstacles or challenges you encounter in your life or work. It is a crucial skill that allows you to tackle complex situations, adapt to changes, and overcome difficulties with ease. Mastering this ability will contribute to both your personal and professional growth, leading to more successful outcomes and better decision-making.

Problem-Solving Steps

The problem-solving process typically includes the following steps:

Identify the issue : Recognize the problem that needs to be solved.
Analyze the situation : Examine the issue in depth, gather all relevant information, and consider any limitations or constraints that may be present.
Generate potential solutions : Brainstorm a list of possible solutions to the issue, without immediately judging or evaluating them.
Evaluate options : Weigh the pros and cons of each potential solution, considering factors such as feasibility, effectiveness, and potential risks.
Select the best solution : Choose the option that best addresses the problem and aligns with your objectives.
Implement the solution : Put the selected solution into action and monitor the results to ensure it resolves the issue.
Review and learn : Reflect on the problem-solving process, identify any improvements or adjustments that can be made, and apply these learnings to future situations.

Defining the Problem

To start tackling a problem, first, identify and understand it. Analyzing the issue thoroughly helps to clarify its scope and nature. Ask questions to gather information and consider the problem from various angles. Some strategies to define the problem include:

Brainstorming with others
Asking the 5 Ws and 1 H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How)
Analyzing cause and effect
Creating a problem statement

Generating Solutions

Once the problem is clearly understood, brainstorm possible solutions. Think creatively and keep an open mind, as well as considering lessons from past experiences. Consider:

Creating a list of potential ideas to solve the problem
Grouping and categorizing similar solutions
Prioritizing potential solutions based on feasibility, cost, and resources required
Involving others to share diverse opinions and inputs

Evaluating and Selecting Solutions

Evaluate each potential solution, weighing its pros and cons. To facilitate decision-making, use techniques such as:

SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)
Decision-making matrices
Pros and cons lists
Risk assessments

After evaluating, choose the most suitable solution based on effectiveness, cost, and time constraints.

Implementing and Monitoring the Solution

Implement the chosen solution and monitor its progress. Key actions include:

Communicating the solution to relevant parties
Setting timelines and milestones
Assigning tasks and responsibilities
Monitoring the solution and making adjustments as necessary
Evaluating the effectiveness of the solution after implementation

Utilize feedback from stakeholders and consider potential improvements. Remember that problem-solving is an ongoing process that can always be refined and enhanced.

Problem-Solving Techniques

During each step, you may find it helpful to utilize various problem-solving techniques, such as:

Brainstorming : A free-flowing, open-minded session where ideas are generated and listed without judgment, to encourage creativity and innovative thinking.
Root cause analysis : A method that explores the underlying causes of a problem to find the most effective solution rather than addressing superficial symptoms.
SWOT analysis : A tool used to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to a problem or decision, providing a comprehensive view of the situation.
Mind mapping : A visual technique that uses diagrams to organize and connect ideas, helping to identify patterns, relationships, and possible solutions.

Brainstorming

When facing a problem, start by conducting a brainstorming session. Gather your team and encourage an open discussion where everyone contributes ideas, no matter how outlandish they may seem. This helps you:

Generate a diverse range of solutions
Encourage all team members to participate
Foster creative thinking

When brainstorming, remember to:

Reserve judgment until the session is over
Encourage wild ideas
Combine and improve upon ideas

Root Cause Analysis

For effective problem-solving, identifying the root cause of the issue at hand is crucial. Try these methods:

5 Whys : Ask “why” five times to get to the underlying cause.
Fishbone Diagram : Create a diagram representing the problem and break it down into categories of potential causes.
Pareto Analysis : Determine the few most significant causes underlying the majority of problems.

SWOT Analysis

SWOT analysis helps you examine the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to your problem. To perform a SWOT analysis:

List your problem’s strengths, such as relevant resources or strong partnerships.
Identify its weaknesses, such as knowledge gaps or limited resources.
Explore opportunities, like trends or new technologies, that could help solve the problem.
Recognize potential threats, like competition or regulatory barriers.

SWOT analysis aids in understanding the internal and external factors affecting the problem, which can help guide your solution.

Mind Mapping

A mind map is a visual representation of your problem and potential solutions. It enables you to organize information in a structured and intuitive manner. To create a mind map:

Write the problem in the center of a blank page.
Draw branches from the central problem to related sub-problems or contributing factors.
Add more branches to represent potential solutions or further ideas.

Mind mapping allows you to visually see connections between ideas and promotes creativity in problem-solving.

Examples of Problem Solving in Various Contexts

In the business world, you might encounter problems related to finances, operations, or communication. Applying problem-solving skills in these situations could look like:

Identifying areas of improvement in your company’s financial performance and implementing cost-saving measures
Resolving internal conflicts among team members by listening and understanding different perspectives, then proposing and negotiating solutions
Streamlining a process for better productivity by removing redundancies, automating tasks, or re-allocating resources

In educational contexts, problem-solving can be seen in various aspects, such as:

Addressing a gap in students’ understanding by employing diverse teaching methods to cater to different learning styles
Developing a strategy for successful time management to balance academic responsibilities and extracurricular activities
Seeking resources and support to provide equal opportunities for learners with special needs or disabilities

Everyday life is full of challenges that require problem-solving skills. Some examples include:

Overcoming a personal obstacle, such as improving your fitness level, by establishing achievable goals, measuring progress, and adjusting your approach accordingly
Navigating a new environment or city by researching your surroundings, asking for directions, or using technology like GPS to guide you
Dealing with a sudden change, like a change in your work schedule, by assessing the situation, identifying potential impacts, and adapting your plans to accommodate the change.
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The Art of Effective Problem Solving: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn Lean Sigma
Problem Solving

Whether we realise it or not, problem solving skills are an important part of our daily lives. From resolving a minor annoyance at home to tackling complex business challenges at work, our ability to solve problems has a significant impact on our success and happiness. However, not everyone is naturally gifted at problem-solving, and even those who are can always improve their skills. In this blog post, we will go over the art of effective problem-solving step by step.

You will learn how to define a problem, gather information, assess alternatives, and implement a solution, all while honing your critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Whether you’re a seasoned problem solver or just getting started, this guide will arm you with the knowledge and tools you need to face any challenge with confidence. So let’s get started!

Problem solving methodologies.

Individuals and organisations can use a variety of problem-solving methodologies to address complex challenges. 8D and A3 problem solving techniques are two popular methodologies in the Lean Six Sigma framework.

Methodology of 8D (Eight Discipline) Problem Solving:

The 8D problem solving methodology is a systematic, team-based approach to problem solving. It is a method that guides a team through eight distinct steps to solve a problem in a systematic and comprehensive manner.

The 8D process consists of the following steps:

Form a team: Assemble a group of people who have the necessary expertise to work on the problem.
Define the issue: Clearly identify and define the problem, including the root cause and the customer impact.
Create a temporary containment plan: Put in place a plan to lessen the impact of the problem until a permanent solution can be found.
Identify the root cause: To identify the underlying causes of the problem, use root cause analysis techniques such as Fishbone diagrams and Pareto charts.
Create and test long-term corrective actions: Create and test a long-term solution to eliminate the root cause of the problem.
Implement and validate the permanent solution: Implement and validate the permanent solution’s effectiveness.
Prevent recurrence: Put in place measures to keep the problem from recurring.
Recognize and reward the team: Recognize and reward the team for its efforts.

Download the 8D Problem Solving Template

A3 Problem Solving Method:

The A3 problem solving technique is a visual, team-based problem-solving approach that is frequently used in Lean Six Sigma projects. The A3 report is a one-page document that clearly and concisely outlines the problem, root cause analysis, and proposed solution.

The A3 problem-solving procedure consists of the following steps:

Determine the issue: Define the issue clearly, including its impact on the customer.
Perform root cause analysis: Identify the underlying causes of the problem using root cause analysis techniques.
Create and implement a solution: Create and implement a solution that addresses the problem’s root cause.
Monitor and improve the solution: Keep an eye on the solution’s effectiveness and make any necessary changes.

Subsequently, in the Lean Six Sigma framework, the 8D and A3 problem solving methodologies are two popular approaches to problem solving. Both methodologies provide a structured, team-based problem-solving approach that guides individuals through a comprehensive and systematic process of identifying, analysing, and resolving problems in an effective and efficient manner.

Step 1 – Define the Problem

The definition of the problem is the first step in effective problem solving. This may appear to be a simple task, but it is actually quite difficult. This is because problems are frequently complex and multi-layered, making it easy to confuse symptoms with the underlying cause. To avoid this pitfall, it is critical to thoroughly understand the problem.

To begin, ask yourself some clarifying questions:

What exactly is the issue?
What are the problem’s symptoms or consequences?
Who or what is impacted by the issue?
When and where does the issue arise?

Answering these questions will assist you in determining the scope of the problem. However, simply describing the problem is not always sufficient; you must also identify the root cause. The root cause is the underlying cause of the problem and is usually the key to resolving it permanently.

Try asking “why” questions to find the root cause:

What causes the problem?
Why does it continue?
Why does it have the effects that it does?

By repeatedly asking “ why ,” you’ll eventually get to the bottom of the problem. This is an important step in the problem-solving process because it ensures that you’re dealing with the root cause rather than just the symptoms.

Once you have a firm grasp on the issue, it is time to divide it into smaller, more manageable chunks. This makes tackling the problem easier and reduces the risk of becoming overwhelmed. For example, if you’re attempting to solve a complex business problem, you might divide it into smaller components like market research, product development, and sales strategies.

To summarise step 1, defining the problem is an important first step in effective problem-solving. You will be able to identify the root cause and break it down into manageable parts if you take the time to thoroughly understand the problem. This will prepare you for the next step in the problem-solving process, which is gathering information and brainstorming ideas.

Step 2 – Gather Information and Brainstorm Ideas

Gathering information and brainstorming ideas is the next step in effective problem solving. This entails researching the problem and relevant information, collaborating with others, and coming up with a variety of potential solutions. This increases your chances of finding the best solution to the problem.

Begin by researching the problem and relevant information. This could include reading articles, conducting surveys, or consulting with experts. The goal is to collect as much information as possible in order to better understand the problem and possible solutions.

Next, work with others to gather a variety of perspectives. Brainstorming with others can be an excellent way to come up with new and creative ideas. Encourage everyone to share their thoughts and ideas when working in a group, and make an effort to actively listen to what others have to say. Be open to new and unconventional ideas and resist the urge to dismiss them too quickly.

Finally, use brainstorming to generate a wide range of potential solutions. This is the place where you can let your imagination run wild. At this stage, don’t worry about the feasibility or practicality of the solutions; instead, focus on generating as many ideas as possible. Write down everything that comes to mind, no matter how ridiculous or unusual it may appear. This can be done individually or in groups.

Once you’ve compiled a list of potential solutions, it’s time to assess them and select the best one. This is the next step in the problem-solving process, which we’ll go over in greater detail in the following section.

Step 3 – Evaluate Options and Choose the Best Solution

Once you’ve compiled a list of potential solutions, it’s time to assess them and select the best one. This is the third step in effective problem solving, and it entails weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each solution, considering their feasibility and practicability, and selecting the solution that is most likely to solve the problem effectively.

To begin, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each solution. This will assist you in determining the potential outcomes of each solution and deciding which is the best option. For example, a quick and easy solution may not be the most effective in the long run, whereas a more complex and time-consuming solution may be more effective in solving the problem in the long run.

Consider each solution’s feasibility and practicability. Consider the following:

Can the solution be implemented within the available resources, time, and budget?
What are the possible barriers to implementing the solution?
Is the solution feasible in today’s political, economic, and social environment?

You’ll be able to tell which solutions are likely to succeed and which aren’t by assessing their feasibility and practicability.

Finally, choose the solution that is most likely to effectively solve the problem. This solution should be based on the criteria you’ve established, such as the advantages and disadvantages of each solution, their feasibility and practicability, and your overall goals.

It is critical to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to problems. What is effective for one person or situation may not be effective for another. This is why it is critical to consider a wide range of solutions and evaluate each one based on its ability to effectively solve the problem.

Step 4 – Implement and Monitor the Solution

When you’ve decided on the best solution, it’s time to put it into action. The fourth and final step in effective problem solving is to put the solution into action, monitor its progress, and make any necessary adjustments.

To begin, implement the solution. This may entail delegating tasks, developing a strategy, and allocating resources. Ascertain that everyone involved understands their role and responsibilities in the solution’s implementation.

Next, keep an eye on the solution’s progress. This may entail scheduling regular check-ins, tracking metrics, and soliciting feedback from others. You will be able to identify any potential roadblocks and make any necessary adjustments in a timely manner if you monitor the progress of the solution.

Finally, make any necessary modifications to the solution. This could entail changing the solution, altering the plan of action, or delegating different tasks. Be willing to make changes if they will improve the solution or help it solve the problem more effectively.

It’s important to remember that problem solving is an iterative process, and there may be times when you need to start from scratch. This is especially true if the initial solution does not effectively solve the problem. In these situations, it’s critical to be adaptable and flexible and to keep trying new solutions until you find the one that works best.

To summarise, effective problem solving is a critical skill that can assist individuals and organisations in overcoming challenges and achieving their objectives. Effective problem solving consists of four key steps: defining the problem, generating potential solutions, evaluating alternatives and selecting the best solution, and implementing the solution.

You can increase your chances of success in problem solving by following these steps and considering factors such as the pros and cons of each solution, their feasibility and practicability, and making any necessary adjustments. Furthermore, keep in mind that problem solving is an iterative process, and there may be times when you need to go back to the beginning and restart. Maintain your adaptability and try new solutions until you find the one that works best for you.

Novick, L.R. and Bassok, M., 2005. Problem Solving . Cambridge University Press.

Daniel Croft

Daniel Croft is a seasoned continuous improvement manager with a Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma. With over 10 years of real-world application experience across diverse sectors, Daniel has a passion for optimizing processes and fostering a culture of efficiency. He's not just a practitioner but also an avid learner, constantly seeking to expand his knowledge. Outside of his professional life, Daniel has a keen Investing, statistics and knowledge-sharing, which led him to create the website learnleansigma.com, a platform dedicated to Lean Six Sigma and process improvement insights.

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Visual learning strategies using interactive whiteboards: an innovative approach

This article discusses various visual approaches to problem-solving and its potential application in digital classrooms. It emphasizes using interactive displays, multimedia, and collaborative tools to promote active visual learning and digital storytelling and cater to diverse learning styles.

Introduction

Albert Einstein never claimed to be the most intelligent person in the world, although he is often considered such. He claimed to be highly curious, questioning things everyone else took for granted or at face value. Like Leonardo da Vinci, he had an insatiable desire to understand the world around him and connect things in novel ways to find simple and elegant truths. Einstein was also noted as a bored student, and if the subject did not capture his interest, he typically only did what was required to pass a class. He didn't learn by rote and detested conventional teaching methods.

After he became one of the first contemporary celebrities, when asked about his nondescript education, he often remarked that standard education processes likely limited the discovery of people who could positively change the world with their minds. Many educators in the past 100 years have certainly had this in mind during their careers.

His oft-quoted critique about judging a fish by how well it flies has helped usher in visual learning as a tool for educators to successfully reach students with learning skills that may be outside the norm, whatever that is.

Da Vinci – for whom the term "Renaissance Man" was coined – likewise followed tangents of thought in his learning that led him into mechanics, anatomy, physics, and math. All things that are not normally ascribed to the painter of the Mona Lisa. Many of his ground-breaking ideas, often hundreds of years ahead of their time, came from his imaginative doodling and comparing through drawing, ideas that went against conventional thinking and education.

Most educators have little expectation of having the next da Vinci or Einstein in their class, but they often see exceptionally bright students who may not learn the way others do. For those seeking to respond to that challenge, visual learning tools can be critical to their success, to say nothing about how these tools can improve learning for every student.

Einstein's Approach: how visualization can help student problem solving

Albert Einstein's unique approach to problem-solving has inspired scholars and researchers alike. Focused on the visualization of problems, Einstein constructed a mental image or a story around the issues he sought to understand. This imaginative method allowed him to examine the situation from unique perspectives, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries, including his theory of relativity. This significant shift in perspective, driven by visualization, illustrates this strategy's profound potential to enhance problem-solving skills.

5 visual learning strategies for the digital classroom

Einstein's visualization approach offers valuable insights that can be incorporated into modern digital classrooms. Adapting to various learning styles is crucial for educators, and adopting visual learning strategies can aid in this process. Here are some strategies inspired by Einstein's problem-solving approach to the digital classroom:

Interactive Visualizations and Problem Solving : Implement platforms or applications that allow students to visualize complex problems or concepts, akin to Einstein's approach to problem-solving. When coupled with interactive whiteboards, these platforms can provide a space for interactive problem-solving, especially for complex mathematical problems or scientific concepts.
Multimedia Learning and Flipped Classroom Approach : Leverage the multimedia capabilities of IWBs to make abstract concepts more understandable. This could include videos, images, diagrams, or animations, which can be utilized in a flipped classroom approach. By providing visual lessons or tutorials that students can engage with outside the classroom, teachers free up class time for deeper exploration and discussion.
Balanced Approach to Exploration and Memorization with Interactive Displays : Design digital activities that balance visual exploration and memorization, leveraging interactive displays. These displays can allow students to actively participate in their learning process, promoting understanding and recall through the visual organization of information.
Collaborative Learning through Visual Interaction and Digital Storytelling : Facilitate collaborative activities using the interactive features of IWBs, promoting teamwork and understanding through visual interaction. Additionally, encourage students to create and share visual stories or presentations on digital platforms, fostering collaboration and mutual learning.
Integrative Use of Technology for Enhanced Visual Learning : Encourage the utilization of various technological tools, such as interactive whiteboards by i3-Technologies, that stimulate visual learning. These tools can foster a different perspective, encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and an active learning process.

Exploration vs. Memorization: The Current State of Modern Education and Visual Learning

Exploration and memorization are two main learning paths used in the education process. In contemporary teaching, a mix of the two is often the norm. We have centuries of experience in memorization brought to us by standardized textbook learning. Seeing how it is well documented that memorization skills do not lead to good test results, new technologies are widely available to support using visual learning, digital storytelling, and imagining problems as successful learning strategies. Facilitating exploration through visual learning can be a bit more challenging and, frankly, more demanding for the educator. The results seem to speak for themselves.

Every educator sees the difference in the quality of education when students are actively engaged in the learning process. Education can quickly become just a rite of passage or even something to be survived if the experience fails to connect with how each student engages with the world. While some respond well to memorizing tables of data and can then connect them with the real-world stories presented to them in the real world, many either fail to translate memorized information into real-world skills or disconnect from learning after failing the memorization task. In either case, it becomes difficult to blame the student for their path through the education process.

How Interactive Displays Facilitate Student Exploration and Digital Storytelling

Interactive displays continue gaining acceptance as a medium of excellence in learning. As educational tools, they can open doors to information and ideas, capture data, images, and insights, and bring them together in a visual format to determine relationships, conclusions, and knowledge. The technology can help inquisitive students assemble and tell stories in graphical form, allowing them to construct patterns and paths as they explore the world around them.

Of course, anyone can research topics, compose ideas and share content on a laptop, PC, or tablet. Interactive displays offer three key benefits: encouraging curiosity, promoting active learning, and supporting learning through digital storytelling. The first is the ability to whiteboard mixed mediums. Creating a content board of information, ideas, images, and documents helps students develop a visual storyboard structured according to how they process information. The second benefit is having a storyboard where two or more students can participate in the storytelling process. If two heads are better than one, interactive displays support multiple users and allow them to try numerous paths to creating the story before settling on one as the platform to complete their story.

Collaborative Learning with Interactive Displays

Stories created by students can be shared digitally on interactive displays with instructors or fellow students, where they can be easily viewed, reviewed, and explored. Adding new information, insight, or paths of inquiry is an organic experience that doesn't require starting with a fresh piece of paper.

Want to try a new approach to a story? Create a new whiteboard, share saved notes, annotations, images, or documents, and reorganize them in a different pattern. Want others to evaluate the work so far? Send them the QR code for the saved whiteboard and get their input.

Storytelling with interactive displays resembles gaming as much as anything. In gaming, multiple avenues are played out to determine which paths, resources, and partners are best to reach a chosen destination. Storytelling on an interactive display gives users the same formatting, creative and preparatory tools used in gaming to discover the best plot line for the story. Multiple apps are also available to support this process.

Students are used to storytelling; they may not be used to telling them in written form. When they can first visualize the story, it becomes easier to write it down, take the path in their head, and plot it on a whiteboard. The education process then focuses on ensuring students have the tools to succeed according to how their minds work and less on rote and ritual.

What impact does technology have on digital storytelling and visual learning?

Technology drives how we understand, interact with, and communicate with the world. It is how we structure our activities, our points of view, and how we access information and knowledge. For those in the educational system, it will be a greater influence on their lives than any of us could have imagined when we were in the system.

My 10-year-old granddaughter gets onto my i3-Technologies touchscreen and shows me the world from her perspective. It is how she thinks and operates. The process is intuitive to her as a digital native. When she was just five years old, she took a collection of wood building blocks we had and created a ten-foot square image of an online game on our floor, complete with menus, tool kits, and all the things she was used to seeing in a game. She knew very well what she needed to create a game, and she visualized it using wooden blocks and then took several minutes to explain it to us in some detail.

Of course, she also used the periodic table to design her "graduation" cap. How did she learn about that? You guessed it.

Each child is different. The connection each makes with the world around them is unique, so they speak different languages of learning. Educators are figuring out how to identify various learning styles and how to capitalize on them to help students learn at their pace and in their own ways. The days of "judging a fish by how well they can swim" – an Einstein original quote – are long gone.

Educators must be flexible and adaptable in recognizing the unique learning languages of each student. The days of "judging a fish by how well they can swim," to quote Einstein, are long gone. The strategies shared above for the digital classroom mark a promising path towards more inclusive, engaging, and effective education processes.

In this digital age, are you ready to embrace innovative visual learning strategies for your students? The future of education depends on our willingness to adapt and evolve.

Doug Gregory, Syntigration’s principal, is focused on creating integrated InterActive Spaces. A consultant and entrepreneur in the office furniture industry for over 20 years after stints at both HON and Steelcase, the novelty of learning how best to meet customer needs never gets old. The journey of these articles is to help identify how interactive technology supports contract dealer growth through meeting the complex needs of our mutual clients.

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March 18, 2021, by Rupert Knight

Using visual models to solve problems and explore relationships in Mathematics: beyond concrete, pictorial, abstract – Part 1

This two-part blog series by Marc North explores some thinking and strategies for using representations in Mathematics lessons. Part 1 unpicks some of the key theoretical ideas around the use of representations and models and foregrounds how representations can be used to both solve problems and explore mathematical relationships. Part 2 will illustrate these theoretical ideas practically via a classroom based Maths activity.

Our brains don’t like abstract ideas!

There is little doubt that visual models are a key part of the learning and teaching of mathematics. One of the reasons for this is that while much of school mathematics involves abstract concepts that can be generalized across a range of topics and problems, our brains actually don’t like abstract ideas! Instead, many of us prefer to learn and think through concrete examples and deliberately look for concrete and practical examples to help to explain abstract concepts. See, for example, the Learning Scientists site .

Visual models provide a useful tool for ‘concretising’ complex and abstract ideas. The human brain responds positively to information packaged in creative and visual ways, which is why throughout our daily lives we are constantly bombarded with visual imagery and stimuli. It is often easier to remember information presented in picture form than as a string of words, and visual models provide succinct and organised summaries of information. Visual models can also demonstrate relationships between different items and, when shown dynamically, can show how those relationships change and evolve.

Multiple Representations in Teaching for Mastery

The emphasis on a ‘Teaching for Mastery’ approach in both Primary and Secondary schools has ushered in a clear priority for using representations to model and illustrate mathematical ideas and problems. As indicated in Figure 1, the ‘Big Idea’ of representation and structure provides students with access to mathematical concepts and supports them to visualise patterns and make connections both within and between concepts.

In the Teaching for Mastery approach, the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) framework provides the main approach that structures how teachers are encouraged to work with different representations. The CPA approach is a multi-sensory teaching model that introduces abstract concepts in a concrete and tangible way, by moving from concrete materials, to pictorial representations, to abstract symbols and problems.

Figure 2: Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract approach (Caroll, Pikul, Foust & Grodziak)

The Concrete dimension is the ‘doing’ stage, where children use physical resources (e.g. manipulatives) to model problems. This stage can also involve the use of concrete situations that are linked to real-life contexts. The Pictorial dimension is the ‘seeing’ stage, where pictures are used to model the concrete resources and the problems. The ‘abstract’ stage is the ‘symbolic’ stage, where abstract mathematical symbols are used to model problems. Many teachers have adopted this approach enthusiastically, operationalizing this practice in various ways:

Origins of the CPA approach – Bruner’s Representation Modes

The theoretical origins of this approach stem from Jerome Bruner’s wor k on different representation modes. As a social-constructivist, Bruner argues that children’s problem-solving skills are developed through inquiry and discovery, and also that to support deep learning subject matter should be represented and experienced by children in terms of how they will view and experience the world. This is facilitated by using different representation modes that model the stages of our learning and that reflect the ways in which humans store and encode knowledge and information in memory. The enactive stage (‘based on action’) (from birth to one year old) involves the encoding and storage of information through direct manipulation of objects – for example, think of a baby playing with a rattle. At this early stage, there is no clear internal representation of the object by the individual. The iconic stage (‘based on images’) (from one to six years old) involves an internal representation of external objects visually in the form of a mental image or icon – for example, a child being able to draw a picture of a tree without actually having a tree in front of them. The symbolic stage (‘based on language’) (seven years and up) is when information is able to be stored in the form of a code or symbol – for example, being able to describe a tree in words or through writing.

Potential challenges with the CPA approach

Although the CPA approach is based on Bruner’s work, there are some important distinctions – which also give rise to some potential challenges with this approach.

First, the CPA framework has adopted a theory that describes children’s development and learning through various age ranges into a sequence for instruction for children at all ages. This has resulted in some teachers using this approach in a strictly hierarchical way, always starting with the concrete and progressing to the abstract – and treating the abstract as the ultimate goal of the learning experience in Mathematics. Those students who are not able to demonstrate mastery of the abstract are then deemed to have a lower level of understanding (or no understanding), despite potentially still being able to demonstrate deep understanding wile engaging with concrete and pictorial representations. Some also use the CPA model as a differentiation tool, with lower-attaining students presented with tasks containing mainly concrete and pictorial representations and higher-attaining students encouraged to engage more quickly with abstract elements. Although Bruner’s representation modes are hierarchical in the sense that they map out children’s learning stages through various age ranges, by age 7 years the expectation is that ALL children are capable of creating and storing knowledge at a symbolic level. As such, learning experiences should offer all children opportunities to experience their learning through actions, images, and more formal symbolic means. The sequence in which different representations of knowledge are explored should be determined by the sequence that will lead to the most in-depth understanding of a concept. This could mean working symbolically first, then drawing a picture, then working concretely (e.g. by building a model), or engaging backwards and forwards with each representation mode concurrently while developing and refining understanding – which is precisely what architects and engineers do.

Second, it is problematic to associate the ‘abstract’ stage in the CPA framework exclusively with abstract knowledge and to think that it is only through engagement with formal mathematical symbols and calculations that abstract knowledge is developed. Abstract mathematical structures can also be engaged and represented through enacted activities and pictures or icons. For example, uni-fix cubes are commonly treated as an abstract representation of a concrete object (like apples). Similarly, a bar model inherently contains a degree of abstractness because it shows a standardized or generic model of a unique scenario.

There is a risk, then, that some teachers may not recognise how much abstractness their teaching and resources contain and may wonder why some students continue to be confused despite access to different representations. Encountering formal mathematical structures in enactive or iconic forms does not automatically reduce the degree of abstractness; rather, it merely presents these structures via a medium other than symbols, notation and language.

Although there are numerous classroom resources available that use the CPA approach (for example, see here ), what is less common are resources that help teachers understand which models are the most effective for illustrating certain concepts, why this is, how to build links between different models to support deep relational understanding, and how to use models to compare and contrast different methods. So, while some teachers are using a large number of different representations, they are not always able to give students insight into the decisions behind why specific models are prioritised over others, which makes it difficult for students to know which models to choose when working independently. Also, while models are most commonly used to describe problems and then aid with the solving of those problems, less common is the use of models to compare and contrast different ways of working and to explore mathematical relationships and structures.

It seems important to consider two agenda:

1. the importance of deliberateness when choosing and using models; 2. and, using models to compare and contrast different ways of working and to explore mathematical relationships and structures.

The discussion below draws out some key ideas that have framed these agendas.

Different purposes for mathematics models

While the CPA and Enactive-Iconic-Symbolic frameworks set out different types of models and representations, it is also helpful to think about the different purposes that these can serve. The Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) approach provides some useful thinking around this. RME, as explained here , was developed in the Netherlands as a specific approach to the teaching of subject Mathematics. This approach has also been used in the United Kingdom with GCSE-resit Mathematics students, as shown here . Three key features of RME are helpful for this discussion:

1. Use of realistic contexts 2. Different purposes for models 3. The ‘progressive formalisation of models’ principle

The first key feature is engagement with abstract mathematics contents in realistic contexts (1), where ‘realistic’ refers to contexts that students can imagine and relate to. The contexts provide an anchor in which to ground understanding of abstract contents, a reference point for structuring thinking about abstract ideas. In part, this reflects some similarity with the ‘concrete’ dimension of the CPA framework.

A second feature of RME is different purposes for working with models (2). ‘Models of’ mathematics are models developed to represent a scenario or problem, with the model bearing a close connection to the problem situation at hand – for example, using a picture of a pizza to represent a fraction of a whole. When (or if) these models are developed and generalised to represent, describe and investigate mathematical structures and relationships over a range of problem situations and even content topics, the model becomes a ‘Model for’ exploring and understanding mathematics. Arrays, bar models and double number-lines are example of models that can be used in this way to describe and investigate mathematical methods, structures and relationships across a range of problem types and situations. ‘Models for’ are powerful precisely because they allow us to investigate mathematical relationships and explore different ways of working.

From a RME perspective, when using representations, it is essential to choose models and representations that can easily be developed from models of a specific local situation to models for describing more general and abstract relationships. This progressive formalisation of models (3) helps students navigate a learning trajectory to abstract concepts and equips them with a small number of models that have applicability over a range of problem and content types.

A key distinction here with the CPA approach is that, from a RME perspective, there is no expectation for students to work through a hierarchy from concrete experiences and pictures to symbolic representations. Instead, the move is from experiences and representations that are bound to local situations towards experiences and representations that are generalizable across a range of situations. The focus is less on the format of the representation and more on how the representation can be molded and developed to explore mathematical relationship and structure.

What does this mean for classroom practice?

The discussion above has attempted to highlight the importance of thinking about both the formats of the representations we use in our teaching AND the purpose of those representations. Using different types of representations that are blended into a deliberate sequence (like the CPA sequence) is helpful for supporting students to think about mathematical concepts from different perspectives – like different pieces of a puzzle, with each piece giving some unique information about the whole picture. However it is also important to think about what we use representation for so that students don’t believe that the only purpose for different representations is to solve problems. A much richer understanding is that representations, when carefully chosen, allow us to explore mathematical relationships, to see connections between mathematical concepts, and – in so doing – to develop a deeper understanding.

Looking ahead to part 2

Part 2 illustrates these theoretical ideas practically via a classroom based Maths activity that explores the relationship between different methods for solving a problem involving a conversion rate (from miles to kilometers). Without giving away too many clues, the key questions that Part 2 explores are:

How are each of these different methods linked, what’s the same and what’s different about them, are there methods that haven’t been considered yet, and what is the most effective ‘model for’ exploring the similarities and differences between them?

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I found this a really helpful analysis Dr North. Thank you very much.

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Visual Problem Solving

Visual problem-solving is a method where an individual or team uses visual tools such as charts, indicators, diagrams, infographics, and pictures as an integrated part of the problem-solving process to both understand and generate solutions to given problems.

Visual problem-solving has several characteristics, including simplifying complex issues and lends itself to use in business when practised correctly. It has key dependencies, such as access to information.

Problem-solving is a key skill, whether in business or one’s personal life. Selecting and utilizing an appropriate and effective method to support the problem solver is essential.

Visual problem-solving provides a toolset that extends beyond the traditional methods of solutionizing and can help accelerate the process.

In today’s article, we’ll be covering visual problem-solving we’ll be looking to cover:

What is visual problem solving

Visual problem solving and the problem-solving process, visual management as a problem-solving aid..

Why use visual problem skills

Information and Visual problem solving

Visual problem-solving skills, problem-solving in a visual domain.

Benefits of visual problem solving

Issues with visual problem solving

Problem-solving is a required skill, whether in business or our personal lives.

Problem-solving involves taking a particular situation where the status is worse than planned and returning it to the state it should be (or improving it).

We are faced with issues and problems daily, problems that require investigation and resolution, some more important than others, some with higher impacts than others.

To solve problems effectively, we require systems and processes that help support both understanding the issue and root causes, together with developing viable solutions.

In business, assessing, diagnosing and resolving problems is a key enabler of competitiveness.

The types of problems that a business might experience are varied and potentially complex; they might include the following:

A downturn in customer perception of your business,
Rapidly increasing costs
Reduced output vs plan
Absenteeism and reduced staffing levels
Safety issues
Decreasing quality of products
New entrants into the market that take market share
System Security

There are a variety of problem-solving methods that we can deploy. Of key importance is that they are the:

Visual problem-solving has several characteristics that lend it to being deployed:

It uses imagery/tools to simplify complexity.
Imagery can be used in any stage of the problem-solving process.
It can be used by an individual or group.
It is more appropriate for some types of problems than others.
It’s a learned skill that a user can become more proficient in through repetition and practice (where visualization used is consistent)
In some industries, visualization is integrated into the process.

But what do we mean when we use the term visual? What we mean is an artefact, a visual representation relating to the problem being experienced, this could be varied, and examples include:

An infographic
A process map or workflow
A graphical alert on a computer system
A whiteboard

We can use a mix of these in a number of ways at each stage of the problem-solving process, for example:

What is the problem? – Graphs, Traffic lights, alerts/icons, RAG Status

What is the impact? – Charts/Graphs

Where is the problem happening? – Maps, Venn diagrams, charts

Why is the problem happening? – Flowcharts, Process maps, diagrams, pictures

When did the problem occur? – Timelines, flowcharts

What is the solution? – Whiteboards, process maps, flow charts, graphs

What is the outcome? – Graphs, charts, icons

Visuals help us present the problem, highlight relationships between influences and articulate why things are happening.

They are effective because the brain sees the images and then translates them within the context of what’s being described enabling us to assimilate complex information at pace.

Visual Problem-solving can be used as a stand-alone methodology or in combination with other methods.

Certain visuals may be better suited to solving particular problems than others.

So, how might we utilize visual problem-solving? Let’s use the example of increased costs.

In this example, we might be faced with numerous methods. We are likely to also be faced with moderate to large sizes of data that will require investigation if we are to ascertain the root cause and deploy appropriate mitigation.

We are faced with two methods:

Manually analyzing large volumes of data from our financial system.
Summarising views (perhaps multiple) of financial data, representing costs using visuals which may help Pareto expenditure and help point at root causes

Manually analysing large amounts of information/data is clearly complex and time-consuming.

In this example, a simple Pareto chart of expenditure helps us understand part of the cause, but we then need to dig deeper to get to the root cause.

We can see that the organization buys the same raw material from several suppliers, one of which has increased its price.

In this simple process, we have simplified a complex problem through the use of visual tools (graphs and charts) that we have used to interpret the situation and develop potential solutions.

Importantly, despite using a potentially effective solution, we still need to understand the context of the problem with some knowledge of the business and its activities.

Problem-solving requires a series of steps to be executed in order to understand events leading to current status and develop interventions to correct them.

While there are several variations, most problem-solving is built around some common steps.

Define the Problem
Define the goal
Identify the Root Cause
Develop & execute an action plan
Evaluate the Results.

We could look to implement some of these steps into our management review processes so we can apply review and corrective actions as a matter of course, but can we learn anything from industry on how we can apply visual problem-solving more tightly into our processes?

A further example of how visual problem-solving is used, this time in real-time, is in the role of the air traffic controller.

Air traffic controllers utilize inputs from visual displays (be that from radar, positioning, route overlays etc.)and direct interface with pilots.

These data-driven interfaces not only provide information on the status of air traffic but provide real-time information, which can be interpreted, allowing air traffic controllers to assess problems as they arise and make rapid decisions to remedy the situation.

Clearly, air traffic controllers require a significant deal of domain knowledge (they are, after all, securing people’s lives). This is a further example of how training can help develop people’s ability to interpret simple, contextual information in problem-solving.

Air Traffic control, as you’d expect, is highly complex. How might we utilize these methods in a simpler situation?

The most obvious is that we can apply visual management in the workplace, which can present real-time (or near real-time) information as problems emerge to drive decision-making.

Let’s consider a modern manufacturing facility with day boards. Shadow boards, alerts and a variety of data displays all of these provide inputs to make real-time decisions in order to drive output to the required standard.

Such systems can be simple, however, in more complex situations, data can appear from various diverse systems, and there is a clear dependency on clean data in order to enable correct decisions.

With some thought, methods such as these can be applied across business functions.

Ultimately, however the problem is visually presented, there is a requirement for the individual or team to mentally assess and resolve it, especially where the problems have high levels of complexity.

So tools to support reasoning only help in the process of understanding and determining route cause and possible corrective action; they do not remove the requirement for a level of reasoning completely.

Indeed, without the proper context, incorrect mitigation may be deployed, which might cause further issues.

Implementation of corrective action also requires a degree of planning and execution that probably benefits from other appropriate tools.

Why use visual problem solving

As we discussed in our introduction, problem-solving is one of the more common skills that you’ll utilize in life and business and being adept at analyzing situations that have deviated from the state they should be to one that is underperforming and then developing a logical resolution is a common feature of most day to day’s life.

Given that there are numerous problem-solving skills, why should you use visual problems solving?

That is probably an inappropriate question, and you should ask yourself which problem-solving technique suits the situation you find yourself in.

Visual problem-solving does have some specific characteristics, such as:

It can facilitate rapid decision-making based on the interpretation of visual indicators.
It can simplify complex situations.
Inputs/Events can be displayed in numerous ways and tuned to specific audiences.
If a business adopts common ways of displaying information, then users can be trained easily and can become more proficient through further exposure to methodology.

Utilizing common methods of presenting information is something to explore further.

There are ways that businesses can use common methods of displaying information throughout the business; this can help not only with interpretation but allow everyone within the business to participate by using a common set of indicators.

I personally believe that in utilizing visual-problem solving methods, barriers can be broken down through simplification, allowing for teams to collaborate on the process, in particular, the ability to outsource elements to 3rd parties (sometimes in real-time).

Once the indicators have been established together with rules around interpretation and prioritization, then it becomes easy to share information.

A key dependency of visual problem-solving is information. Information that can be summarised and visually presented (You can’t chart information if you don’t have the data to begin).

Successful results clearly require not only on presentation but the robustness of the data.

It goes without saying that many organizations find obtaining clean and reliable information for decision-making challenging.

Once they have it choosing an appropriate way of displaying it is another challenge!

Businesses and individuals should consider the use of visual problem-solving carefully if they are likely to face major challenges in obtaining data/information that will be used in the process.

Challenges might include

Data can’t be obtained
The data is not clean and has errors
Disparate data sets cannot be related in a way to make visual problem-solving viable
Low levels of understanding of what the data represents.
Incorrect visual methods are used and do not simplify the process.

Problem-solving as a process is still universal and relies on the traditional well-established step-by-step process.

Utilizing visual problem-solving does not replace problem-solving skills per se but does necessitate several skills that, whilst not necessarily unique, are worth bearing in mind.

These skills include:

Ability to follow a standard step-by-step process
Ability to select data and appropriate visual indicators that support the methodology
Ability to Interpret indicators
Ability to prioritize actions based on indicators (and triage where necessary)
Ability to analyze data sets (sometimes disconnected data sets)
Ability to select appropriate graphical representations for use in problem-solving
Ability to model what-if scenarios

Visual Problem solving does assume reliance on information, and while there is no implied link between data analysis and presentation, for many, they will be involved in both ends of the process, both gathering data and presenting it in a format that can be used in a problem-solving situation.

In many professions, individuals assess complex situations and make decisions on the basis of visualizations in the workplace.

We have already discussed air traffic controllers who make decisions based on complex graphical representations of real-time air traffic situations.

Other professions who are required to solve complex problems through visualization include doctors, scientists, soldiers etc.

All will utilize technology to capture and present information using visual stimuli to differentiate performance or situations that are to expectations vs those that aren’t; many may have workflows built around situations that don’t meet expectations allowing users to resolve in real-time.

The complexity of these graphical tools varies, but nevertheless, the process is based on problem-solving principles; the individual is required to read the information being presented, interpret it and consider various decision routes and their outcomes ahead of deciding on an appropriate course of action.

As we see more automation in industry, the ability to incorporate visual problem-solving directly into working routines is becoming more common.

Unsurprisingly as individual expertise grows, the ability to more rapidly choose an outcome and a successful outcome increases.

Benefits of visual problem-solving.

Visual problem-solving can offer many benefits that, include:

Simplification of the problem-solving process
Simplication of complex situations
Rapid resolution of problems (through simplification)
Use of indicators (colour, shapes etc.) that help triage situations
Facilitate the wider organization taking part in problem-solving activities
Can enable outsourcing of optimization activities

As we’ve discussed, there are several issues that you’ll want to explore:

Reliance on data being accurate
Visualization does not remove the need for contextual understanding
Visual tools do not mitigate the need for an effective problem-solving process.
Likely to require a level of user skill
Setting up infrastructure for real-time visual problem-solving can take time and cost.

Visual problem-solving offers a part of the problem-solving toolkit (rather than replacing it completely).

The use of Visual Problem-solving shows that given the right situation, businesses have an effective route when solving problems, particularly complex situations which require detailed analysis and summarisation.

The use of visual indicators to help simplify and triage situations can improve the performance of the problem-solving process where it is practical (when considering the dependencies of the method).

There are further advantages that can be obtained when this methodology is built into working processes allowing operators to capture and resolve issues in real time, mitigating the impacts that problems may deliver.

Does your business utilize visual problem-solving? What’s your experience been? Have you seen advantages? As ever, we’d love your contribution to the discussion. You can reach us on Twitter or via the comments section below.

IMAGES

7 Steps to Improve Your Problem Solving Skills
Problem solving infographic 10 steps concept Vector Image
Visual Problem Solving with Mind Maps and Flowcharts
The ABCs of Problem Solving Steps {Free Printable Included!}
Problem-Solving Skills Every Entrepreneur Should Have -[SKILLS FOR
Teach your students how to solve problems using visual supports and

VIDEO

Problem Solving Techniques
NJEF: An Introduction to Visual Thinking Strategies
Visual thinking solves this complex geometry problem easily!
Visual tracking and visual scanning
10 Strategies to Study Smarter as a Visual Learner
AWESOME MATHEMATIC #shorts

COMMENTS

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Problem-Solving Flowchart: A Visual Method to Find Perfect Solutions

What is visual problem-solving?

How to make your problem-solving process more visual

Identify the problem with mind maps

Create a problem-solving flowchart

Draw a cause-and-effect diagram

1. Start with a problem statement.

2. Add the categories that represent possible causes.

3. Add causes to each category.

Collaborate with Lucidchart

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Clearly define the problem

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Don’t take it personally

Get the right people in the room

Document everything

Bring a facilitator

Develop your problem-solving skills

Design a great agenda

1. Six Thinking Hats

2. Lightning Decision Jam

3. Problem Definition Process

4. The 5 Whys

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7. Design Sprint 2.0

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18. LEGO Challenge

19. What, So What, Now What?

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How do I conclude a problem-solving process?

33. One Breath Feedback

34. Who What When Matrix

35. Response cards

Save time and effort discovering the right solutions

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