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How to Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking Skills

• Nina A. Bowman

Don’t be shy about bringing your ideas to the table.

Developing your strategic thinking skills isn’t enough to get you promoted. In order to advance in your career, you need to demonstrate them. Leaders want to know what you think, and they view your worthiness for promotion through the lens of how ready you are to make bigger decisions. Ask yourself: “Do people know where I stand?” If not, what do you need to do to bring your perspective to the table? It’s also important to demonstrate that you can put new ideas into action. Take the initiative on new projects that show how your understanding extends beyond your current function.

We all know that developing strategic thinking skills is important , but many don’t realize how critical it is to your career advancement to show these skills to your boss and other senior leaders. Showing strategic thinking skills tells your bosses that you’re able to think for yourself and make decisions that position the organization for the future. It assures them that you aren’t making decisions in a vacuum but are considering how other departments might be affected or how the outside world will respond.

• NB Nina A. Bowman is a Managing Partner at Paravis Partners, an executive coaching and leadership development firm. Previously, she held various advisory and leadership roles in strategy. She is an executive coach and speaker on issues of strategic leadership, leadership presence, and interpersonal effectiveness. She is also a contributing author to the HBR Guide to Coaching Employees and HBR Guide to Thinking Strategically .

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20 Essential Strategic Thinking Exercises for Maximum Impact

Last Updated on September 14, 2023 by Milton Campbell

Strategic thinking is a crucial skill for business leaders, managers, and employees in today’s fast-paced, competitive world. It involves generating long-term goals, anticipating trends, and making informed decisions to gain a competitive advantage. In this article, we will explore various strategic thinking exercises that can help you and your team think more strategically, strengthen your strategic thinking skills, and become a strategic thinker.

The Importance of Strategic Thinking Exercises

Strategic thinking is essential for leadership, creativity, and achieving an organization’s goals and objectives. It allows business leaders to analyze their company’s position, envision new ideas, and develop a strategic plan to execute those ideas. By encouraging strategic thinking, managers can foster an environment where employees are continually seeking new ways to improve the organization and achieve positive outcomes.

Exercises to Enhance Strategic Thinking Skills

In this article section, we will explore 20 exercises specifically designed to enhance your strategic thinking skills. Strategic thinking techniques are essential for leaders to navigate complex challenges, make informed decisions, and drive organizational success.

These exercises will help you sharpen your strategic thinking abilities, expand your perspectives, and unleash your creativity. By engaging in these exercises, you will cultivate a strategic mindset and develop the skills necessary to tackle the ever-evolving business landscape. Get ready to strengthen your strategic thinking muscles as we dive into these 20 exercises!

1. Scenario Planning

Scenario planning is an exercise that encourages participants to envision various future scenarios for their organization. By brainstorming potential situations, team members can anticipate potential challenges, develop new ideas, and create actionable plans to tackle those challenges. This exercise helps to improve strategic thinking skills by allowing participants to analyze trends, evaluate the possible outcomes, and customize their approach based on the insights gained.

2. Brainzooming

Brainzooming is a team-building exercise that promotes strategic thinking by challenging participants to generate new ideas and solve problems creatively. In this exercise, team members are encouraged to think outside the box and explore new perspectives. By combining creativity with strategic thinking, participants can develop innovative solutions that deliver a competitive advantage.

3. SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that helps individuals and organizations identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This exercise allows participants to evaluate their current situation, anticipate future trends, and develop strategies to address potential challenges. By understanding their organization’s position, participants can make informed decisions and execute plans that align with their goals.

4. Objective Setting

Setting clear objectives is a critical step in strategic thinking. This exercise involves establishing specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for your organization. By focusing on your goals and objectives, you can ensure that your strategic thinking efforts are aligned with your organization’s priorities and desired outcomes.

5. Competitive Analysis

Understanding your competitors is essential to strategic thinking. In this exercise, participants are encouraged to analyze their competitors’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. By evaluating the competitive landscape, team members can develop strategies to differentiate themselves from their competitors and gain a competitive advantage.

6. Trend Analysis

Trend analysis is an exercise that focuses on identifying emerging trends and understanding their potential impact on your organization. By staying informed about industry trends, participants can anticipate changes, adapt their strategies, and capitalize on new opportunities.

7. Communication Skills Development

Effective communication is vital for strategic thinking. In this exercise, participants are encouraged to practice their communication skills by presenting their ideas, engaging in discussions, and collaborating with others. By improving their communication skills, team members can better articulate their strategic vision and gain buy-in from others.

8. Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is a visual tool that helps individuals and teams organize their thoughts, ideas, and information. By creating a visual representation of your ideas, you can better understand the relationships between different concepts and identify new connections. This tool can be particularly useful for brainstorming, problem-solving, and strategic planning sessions.

9. PESTLE Analysis

PESTLE analysis is a strategic tool that examines the external factors affecting an organization. It stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental factors. By assessing these factors, you can identify potential opportunities and threats in the external environment and develop strategies to address them. This analysis helps to broaden your perspective and consider various external influences on your organization.

10. Gap Analysis

Gap analysis is a tool that helps you identify the difference between your organization’s current state and its desired future state. By understanding the gaps in performance, resources, or capabilities, you can develop targeted strategies to bridge those gaps and achieve your goals. This tool can be useful for strategic planning, resource allocation, and performance improvement initiatives.

11. Game Theory

Game theory is a strategic tool that examines decision-making and interactions between different players in a competitive environment. By using game theory, you can understand the potential outcomes of various strategic decisions and develop optimal strategies based on the behavior of other players. This tool can be particularly helpful for understanding competitive dynamics and developing strategies to outperform your competitors.

12. Balanced Scorecard

The balanced scorecard is a strategic management tool that helps organizations track their performance across multiple dimensions, including financial, customer, internal processes, and learning and growth perspectives. By monitoring performance across these dimensions, you can ensure that your strategic initiatives are balanced and aligned with your organization’s overall objectives. This tool can be useful for performance measurement, strategic planning, and decision-making.

13. Porter’s Five Forces

Porter’s Five Forces is a strategic analysis tool that helps organizations understand the competitive forces within their industry. The five forces include the threat of new entrants, the bargaining power of suppliers, the bargaining power of buyers, the threat of substitute products or services, and the intensity of competitive rivalry. By analyzing these forces, you can develop strategies to enhance your competitive position and achieve long-term success.

14. Reverse Brainstorming

Reverse brainstorming is a creative problem-solving exercise that involves identifying potential problems instead of solutions. By focusing on potential issues, participants can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges they face and develop strategies to prevent or mitigate them. This exercise encourages strategic thinking by requiring participants to anticipate potential obstacles and develop proactive solutions.

15. The Six Thinking Hats

The Six Thinking Hats exercise, developed by Edward de Bono, is a technique that encourages participants to approach problems and decisions from different perspectives. The six hats represent different modes of thinking: white (facts and information), red (emotions and feelings), black (critical judgment), yellow (positive aspects), green (creativity and new ideas), and blue (process and organization). By switching between these different modes of thinking, participants can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the situation and develop well-rounded strategies.

16. Role Playing

Role-playing exercises require participants to assume different roles within a hypothetical scenario. By stepping into the shoes of others, participants can gain a better understanding of different perspectives, anticipate potential reactions, and develop strategies that consider the needs and motivations of various stakeholders. This exercise enhances strategic thinking skills by encouraging empathy and a broader understanding of the situation.

17. The Five Whys

The Five Whys exercise is a technique used to identify the root cause of a problem by asking “why” five times. By continually asking why a problem exists, participants can uncover the underlying issues and develop targeted strategies to address them. This exercise encourages strategic thinking by requiring participants to analyze problems deeply and develop long-term solutions.

18. Pre-Mortem Analysis

A pre-mortem analysis is an exercise that involves imagining that a project or initiative has failed and then identifying the reasons for the failure. By anticipating potential pitfalls and challenges, participants can develop strategies to prevent or mitigate those issues before they occur. This exercise promotes strategic thinking by encouraging participants to think critically about potential risks and develop proactive solutions.

19. Blue Ocean Strategy

The Blue Ocean Strategy exercise encourages participants to identify untapped market spaces and create new demand by developing innovative products or services. By focusing on differentiation and low cost, participants can create a competitive advantage and achieve long-term success. This exercise enhances strategic thinking skills by encouraging innovation and the exploration of new opportunities.

20. The Four Quadrant Matrix

The Four Quadrant Matrix is a strategic decision-making tool that helps participants prioritize tasks or initiatives based on their importance and urgency. By categorizing tasks into four quadrants (urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important), participants can allocate their resources and time more effectively. This exercise encourages strategic thinking by requiring participants to evaluate priorities and make informed decisions.

Encouraging Strategic Thinking in Your Organization

To encourage strategic thinking within your organization, consider implementing workshops, team-building exercises, and brain training activities that focus on strategic thinking skills. Providing employees with the tools and resources to think strategically can lead to increased innovation, improved decision-making, and a more successful organization.

In conclusion, strategic thinking exercises are essential for developing the skills necessary to become a strategic thinker. By practicing these exercises regularly, individuals and teams can improve their ability to anticipate trends, evaluate potential challenges, and develop innovative solutions to achieve their goals. Take the time to invest in your strategic thinking skills and watch your organization thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

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Why Problem-Solving Skills Are Essential for Leaders in Any Industry

• 17 Jan 2023

Any organization offering a product or service is in the business of solving problems.

Whether providing medical care to address health issues or quick convenience to those hungry for dinner, a business’s purpose is to satisfy customer needs .

In addition to solving customers’ problems, you’ll undoubtedly encounter challenges within your organization as it evolves to meet customer needs. You’re likely to experience growing pains in the form of missed targets, unattained goals, and team disagreements.

Yet, the ubiquity of problems doesn’t have to be discouraging; with the right frameworks and tools, you can build the skills to solve consumers' and your organization’s most challenging issues.

Here’s a primer on problem-solving in business, why it’s important, the skills you need, and how to build them.

Access your free e-book today.

What Is Problem-Solving in Business?

Problem-solving is the process of systematically removing barriers that prevent you or others from reaching goals.

Your business removes obstacles in customers’ lives through its products or services, just as you can remove obstacles that keep your team from achieving business goals.

Design Thinking

Design thinking , as described by Harvard Business School Dean Srikant Datar in the online course Design Thinking and Innovation , is a human-centered , solutions-based approach to problem-solving and innovation. Originally created for product design, design thinking’s use case has evolved . It’s now used to solve internal business problems, too.

The design thinking process has four stages :

• Clarify: Clarify a problem through research and feedback from those impacted.
• Ideate: Armed with new insights, generate as many solutions as possible.
• Develop: Combine and cull your ideas into a short list of viable, feasible, and desirable options before building prototypes (if making physical products) and creating a plan of action (if solving an intangible problem).
• Implement: Execute the strongest idea, ensuring clear communication with all stakeholders about its potential value and deliberate reasoning.

Using this framework, you can generate innovative ideas that wouldn’t have surfaced otherwise.

Creative Problem-Solving

Another, less structured approach to challenges is creative problem-solving , which employs a series of exercises to explore open-ended solutions and develop new perspectives. This is especially useful when a problem’s root cause has yet to be defined.

You can use creative problem-solving tools in design thinking’s “ideate” stage, which include:

• Brainstorming: Instruct everyone to develop as many ideas as possible in an allotted time frame without passing judgment.
• Divergent thinking exercises: Rather than arriving at the same conclusion (convergent thinking), instruct everyone to come up with a unique idea for a given prompt (divergent thinking). This type of exercise helps avoid the tendency to agree with others’ ideas without considering alternatives.
• Alternate worlds: Ask your team to consider how various personas would manage the problem. For instance, how would a pilot approach it? What about a young child? What about a seasoned engineer?

It can be tempting to fall back on how problems have been solved before, especially if they worked well. However, if you’re striving for innovation, relying on existing systems can stunt your company’s growth.

Related: How to Be a More Creative Problem-Solver at Work: 8 Tips

Why Is Problem-Solving Important for Leaders?

While obstacles’ specifics vary between industries, strong problem-solving skills are crucial for leaders in any field.

Whether building a new product or dealing with internal issues, you’re bound to come up against challenges. Having frameworks and tools at your disposal when they arise can turn issues into opportunities.

As a leader, it’s rarely your responsibility to solve a problem single-handedly, so it’s crucial to know how to empower employees to work together to find the best solution.

Your job is to guide them through each step of the framework and set the parameters and prompts within which they can be creative. Then, you can develop a list of ideas together, test the best ones, and implement the chosen solution.

Related: 5 Design Thinking Skills for Business Professionals

4 Problem-Solving Skills All Leaders Need

1. problem framing.

One key skill for any leader is framing problems in a way that makes sense for their organization. Problem framing is defined in Design Thinking and Innovation as determining the scope, context, and perspective of the problem you’re trying to solve.

“Before you begin to generate solutions for your problem, you must always think hard about how you’re going to frame that problem,” Datar says in the course.

For instance, imagine you work for a company that sells children’s sneakers, and sales have plummeted. When framing the problem, consider:

• What is the children’s sneaker market like right now?
• Should we improve the quality of our sneakers?
• Should we assess all children’s footwear?
• Is this a marketing issue for children’s sneakers specifically?
• Is this a bigger issue that impacts how we should market or produce all footwear?

While there’s no one right way to frame a problem, how you do can impact the solutions you generate. It’s imperative to accurately frame problems to align with organizational priorities and ensure your team generates useful ideas for your firm.

To solve a problem, you need to empathize with those impacted by it. Empathy is the ability to understand others’ emotions and experiences. While many believe empathy is a fixed trait, it’s a skill you can strengthen through practice.

When confronted with a problem, consider whom it impacts. Returning to the children’s sneaker example, think of who’s affected:

• Your organization’s employees, because sales are down
• The customers who typically buy your sneakers
• The children who typically wear your sneakers

Empathy is required to get to the problem’s root and consider each group’s perspective. Assuming someone’s perspective often isn’t accurate, so the best way to get that information is by collecting user feedback.

For instance, if you asked customers who typically buy your children’s sneakers why they’ve stopped, they could say, “A new brand of children’s sneakers came onto the market that have soles with more traction. I want my child to be as safe as possible, so I bought those instead.”

When someone shares their feelings and experiences, you have an opportunity to empathize with them. This can yield solutions to their problem that directly address its root and shows you care. In this case, you may design a new line of children’s sneakers with extremely grippy soles for added safety, knowing that’s what your customers care most about.

Related: 3 Effective Methods for Assessing Customer Needs

3. Breaking Cognitive Fixedness

Cognitive fixedness is a state of mind in which you examine situations through the lens of past experiences. This locks you into one mindset rather than allowing you to consider alternative possibilities.

For instance, your cognitive fixedness may make you think rubber is the only material for sneaker treads. What else could you use? Is there a grippier alternative you haven’t considered?

Problem-solving is all about overcoming cognitive fixedness. You not only need to foster this skill in yourself but among your team.

4. Creating a Psychologically Safe Environment

As a leader, it’s your job to create an environment conducive to problem-solving. In a psychologically safe environment, all team members feel comfortable bringing ideas to the table, which are likely influenced by their personal opinions and experiences.

If employees are penalized for “bad” ideas or chastised for questioning long-held procedures and systems, innovation has no place to take root.

By employing the design thinking framework and creative problem-solving exercises, you can foster a setting in which your team feels comfortable sharing ideas and new, innovative solutions can grow.

How to Build Problem-Solving Skills

The most obvious answer to how to build your problem-solving skills is perhaps the most intimidating: You must practice.

Again and again, you’ll encounter challenges, use creative problem-solving tools and design thinking frameworks, and assess results to learn what to do differently next time.

While most of your practice will occur within your organization, you can learn in a lower-stakes setting by taking an online course, such as Design Thinking and Innovation . Datar guides you through each tool and framework, presenting real-world business examples to help you envision how you would approach the same types of problems in your organization.

Are you interested in uncovering innovative solutions for your organization’s business problems? Explore Design Thinking and Innovation —one of our online entrepreneurship and innovation courses —to learn how to leverage proven frameworks and tools to solve challenges. Not sure which course is right for you? Download our free flowchart .

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How to improve your problem solving skills and build effective problem solving strategies

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Effective problem solving is all about using the right process and following a plan tailored to the issue at hand. Recognizing your team or organization has an issue isn’t enough to come up with effective problem solving strategies. 

To truly understand a problem and develop appropriate solutions, you will want to follow a solid process, follow the necessary problem solving steps, and bring all of your problem solving skills to the table.  

We’ll first guide you through the seven step problem solving process you and your team can use to effectively solve complex business challenges. We’ll also look at what problem solving strategies you can employ with your team when looking for a way to approach the process. We’ll then discuss the problem solving skills you need to be more effective at solving problems, complete with an activity from the SessionLab library you can use to develop that skill in your team.

Let’s get to it! 

What is a problem solving process?

• What are the problem solving steps I need to follow?

Problem solving strategies

What skills do i need to be an effective problem solver, how can i improve my problem solving skills.

Solving problems is like baking a cake. You can go straight into the kitchen without a recipe or the right ingredients and do your best, but the end result is unlikely to be very tasty!

Using a process to bake a cake allows you to use the best ingredients without waste, collect the right tools, account for allergies, decide whether it is a birthday or wedding cake, and then bake efficiently and on time. The result is a better cake that is fit for purpose, tastes better and has created less mess in the kitchen. Also, it should have chocolate sprinkles. Having a step by step process to solve organizational problems allows you to go through each stage methodically and ensure you are trying to solve the right problems and select the most appropriate, effective solutions.

What are the problem solving steps I need to follow? 

All problem solving processes go through a number of steps in order to move from identifying a problem to resolving it.

Depending on your problem solving model and who you ask, there can be anything between four and nine problem solving steps you should follow in order to find the right solution. Whatever framework you and your group use, there are some key items that should be addressed in order to have an effective process.

We’ve looked at problem solving processes from sources such as the American Society for Quality and their four step approach , and Mediate ‘s six step process. By reflecting on those and our own problem solving processes, we’ve come up with a sequence of seven problem solving steps we feel best covers everything you need in order to effectively solve problems.

1. Problem identification 

The first stage of any problem solving process is to identify the problem or problems you might want to solve. Effective problem solving strategies always begin by allowing a group scope to articulate what they believe the problem to be and then coming to some consensus over which problem they approach first. Problem solving activities used at this stage often have a focus on creating frank, open discussion so that potential problems can be brought to the surface.

2. Problem analysis 

Though this step is not a million miles from problem identification, problem analysis deserves to be considered separately. It can often be an overlooked part of the process and is instrumental when it comes to developing effective solutions.

The process of problem analysis means ensuring that the problem you are seeking to solve is the right problem . As part of this stage, you may look deeper and try to find the root cause of a specific problem at a team or organizational level.

Remember that problem solving strategies should not only be focused on putting out fires in the short term but developing long term solutions that deal with the root cause of organizational challenges. 

Whatever your approach, analyzing a problem is crucial in being able to select an appropriate solution and the problem solving skills deployed in this stage are beneficial for the rest of the process and ensuring the solutions you create are fit for purpose.

3. Solution generation

Once your group has nailed down the particulars of the problem you wish to solve, you want to encourage a free flow of ideas connecting to solving that problem. This can take the form of problem solving games that encourage creative thinking or problem solving activities designed to produce working prototypes of possible solutions. 

The key to ensuring the success of this stage of the problem solving process is to encourage quick, creative thinking and create an open space where all ideas are considered. The best solutions can come from unlikely places and by using problem solving techniques that celebrate invention, you might come up with solution gold. 

4. Solution development

No solution is likely to be perfect right out of the gate. It’s important to discuss and develop the solutions your group has come up with over the course of following the previous problem solving steps in order to arrive at the best possible solution. Problem solving games used in this stage involve lots of critical thinking, measuring potential effort and impact, and looking at possible solutions analytically. 

During this stage, you will often ask your team to iterate and improve upon your frontrunning solutions and develop them further. Remember that problem solving strategies always benefit from a multitude of voices and opinions, and not to let ego get involved when it comes to choosing which solutions to develop and take further.

Finding the best solution is the goal of all problem solving workshops and here is the place to ensure that your solution is well thought out, sufficiently robust and fit for purpose. 

5. Decision making 

Nearly there! Once your group has reached consensus and selected a solution that applies to the problem at hand you have some decisions to make. You will want to work on allocating ownership of the project, figure out who will do what, how the success of the solution will be measured and decide the next course of action.

The decision making stage is a part of the problem solving process that can get missed or taken as for granted. Fail to properly allocate roles and plan out how a solution will actually be implemented and it less likely to be successful in solving the problem.

Have clear accountabilities, actions, timeframes, and follow-ups. Make these decisions and set clear next-steps in the problem solving workshop so that everyone is aligned and you can move forward effectively as a group. 

Ensuring that you plan for the roll-out of a solution is one of the most important problem solving steps. Without adequate planning or oversight, it can prove impossible to measure success or iterate further if the problem was not solved. 

6. Solution implementation 

This is what we were waiting for! All problem solving strategies have the end goal of implementing a solution and solving a problem in mind. 

Remember that in order for any solution to be successful, you need to help your group through all of the previous problem solving steps thoughtfully. Only then can you ensure that you are solving the right problem but also that you have developed the correct solution and can then successfully implement and measure the impact of that solution.

Project management and communication skills are key here – your solution may need to adjust when out in the wild or you might discover new challenges along the way.

7. Solution evaluation 

So you and your team developed a great solution to a problem and have a gut feeling its been solved. Work done, right? Wrong. All problem solving strategies benefit from evaluation, consideration, and feedback. You might find that the solution does not work for everyone, might create new problems, or is potentially so successful that you will want to roll it out to larger teams or as part of other initiatives. 

None of that is possible without taking the time to evaluate the success of the solution you developed in your problem solving model and adjust if necessary.

Remember that the problem solving process is often iterative and it can be common to not solve complex issues on the first try. Even when this is the case, you and your team will have generated learning that will be important for future problem solving workshops or in other parts of the organization. 

It’s worth underlining how important record keeping is throughout the problem solving process. If a solution didn’t work, you need to have the data and records to see why that was the case. If you go back to the drawing board, notes from the previous workshop can help save time. Data and insight is invaluable at every stage of the problem solving process and this one is no different.

Problem solving workshops made easy

Problem solving strategies are methods of approaching and facilitating the process of problem-solving with a set of techniques , actions, and processes. Different strategies are more effective if you are trying to solve broad problems such as achieving higher growth versus more focused problems like, how do we improve our customer onboarding process?

Broadly, the problem solving steps outlined above should be included in any problem solving strategy though choosing where to focus your time and what approaches should be taken is where they begin to differ. You might find that some strategies ask for the problem identification to be done prior to the session or that everything happens in the course of a one day workshop.

The key similarity is that all good problem solving strategies are structured and designed. Four hours of open discussion is never going to be as productive as a four-hour workshop designed to lead a group through a problem solving process.

Good problem solving strategies are tailored to the team, organization and problem you will be attempting to solve. Here are some example problem solving strategies you can learn from or use to get started.

Use a workshop to lead a team through a group process

Often, the first step to solving problems or organizational challenges is bringing a group together effectively. Most teams have the tools, knowledge, and expertise necessary to solve their challenges – they just need some guidance in how to use leverage those skills and a structure and format that allows people to focus their energies.

Facilitated workshops are one of the most effective ways of solving problems of any scale. By designing and planning your workshop carefully, you can tailor the approach and scope to best fit the needs of your team and organization. 

Problem solving workshop

• Creating a bespoke, tailored process
• Tackling problems of any size
• Building in-house workshop ability and encouraging their use

Workshops are an effective strategy for solving problems. By using tried and test facilitation techniques and methods, you can design and deliver a workshop that is perfectly suited to the unique variables of your organization. You may only have the capacity for a half-day workshop and so need a problem solving process to match. 

By using our session planner tool and importing methods from our library of 700+ facilitation techniques, you can create the right problem solving workshop for your team. It might be that you want to encourage creative thinking or look at things from a new angle to unblock your groups approach to problem solving. By tailoring your workshop design to the purpose, you can help ensure great results.

One of the main benefits of a workshop is the structured approach to problem solving. Not only does this mean that the workshop itself will be successful, but many of the methods and techniques will help your team improve their working processes outside of the workshop. 

We believe that workshops are one of the best tools you can use to improve the way your team works together. Start with a problem solving workshop and then see what team building, culture or design workshops can do for your organization!

Run a design sprint

Great for: 

• aligning large, multi-discipline teams
• quickly designing and testing solutions
• tackling large, complex organizational challenges and breaking them down into smaller tasks

By using design thinking principles and methods, a design sprint is a great way of identifying, prioritizing and prototyping solutions to long term challenges that can help solve major organizational problems with quick action and measurable results.

Some familiarity with design thinking is useful, though not integral, and this strategy can really help a team align if there is some discussion around which problems should be approached first. 

The stage-based structure of the design sprint is also very useful for teams new to design thinking.  The inspiration phase, where you look to competitors that have solved your problem, and the rapid prototyping and testing phases are great for introducing new concepts that will benefit a team in all their future work. 

It can be common for teams to look inward for solutions and so looking to the market for solutions you can iterate on can be very productive. Instilling an agile prototyping and testing mindset can also be great when helping teams move forwards – generating and testing solutions quickly can help save time in the long run and is also pretty exciting!

Break problems down into smaller issues

Organizational challenges and problems are often complicated and large scale in nature. Sometimes, trying to resolve such an issue in one swoop is simply unachievable or overwhelming. Try breaking down such problems into smaller issues that you can work on step by step. You may not be able to solve the problem of churning customers off the bat, but you can work with your team to identify smaller effort but high impact elements and work on those first.

This problem solving strategy can help a team generate momentum, prioritize and get some easy wins. It’s also a great strategy to employ with teams who are just beginning to learn how to approach the problem solving process. If you want some insight into a way to employ this strategy, we recommend looking at our design sprint template below!

Use guiding frameworks or try new methodologies

Some problems are best solved by introducing a major shift in perspective or by using new methodologies that encourage your team to think differently.

Props and tools such as Methodkit , which uses a card-based toolkit for facilitation, or Lego Serious Play can be great ways to engage your team and find an inclusive, democratic problem solving strategy. Remember that play and creativity are great tools for achieving change and whatever the challenge, engaging your participants can be very effective where other strategies may have failed.

LEGO Serious Play

• Improving core problem solving skills
• Thinking outside of the box
• Encouraging creative solutions

LEGO Serious Play is a problem solving methodology designed to get participants thinking differently by using 3D models and kinesthetic learning styles. By physically building LEGO models based on questions and exercises, participants are encouraged to think outside of the box and create their own responses. 

Collaborate LEGO Serious Play exercises are also used to encourage communication and build problem solving skills in a group. By using this problem solving process, you can often help different kinds of learners and personality types contribute and unblock organizational problems with creative thinking. 

Problem solving strategies like LEGO Serious Play are super effective at helping a team solve more skills-based problems such as communication between teams or a lack of creative thinking. Some problems are not suited to LEGO Serious Play and require a different problem solving strategy.

Card Decks and Method Kits

• New facilitators or non-facilitators 
• Approaching difficult subjects with a simple, creative framework
• Engaging those with varied learning styles

Card decks and method kids are great tools for those new to facilitation or for whom facilitation is not the primary role. Card decks such as the emotional culture deck can be used for complete workshops and in many cases, can be used right out of the box. Methodkit has a variety of kits designed for scenarios ranging from personal development through to personas and global challenges so you can find the right deck for your particular needs.

Having an easy to use framework that encourages creativity or a new approach can take some of the friction or planning difficulties out of the workshop process and energize a team in any setting. Simplicity is the key with these methods. By ensuring everyone on your team can get involved and engage with the process as quickly as possible can really contribute to the success of your problem solving strategy.

Source external advice

Looking to peers, experts and external facilitators can be a great way of approaching the problem solving process. Your team may not have the necessary expertise, insights of experience to tackle some issues, or you might simply benefit from a fresh perspective. Some problems may require bringing together an entire team, and coaching managers or team members individually might be the right approach. Remember that not all problems are best resolved in the same manner.

If you’re a solo entrepreneur, peer groups, coaches and mentors can also be invaluable at not only solving specific business problems, but in providing a support network for resolving future challenges. One great approach is to join a Mastermind Group and link up with like-minded individuals and all grow together. Remember that however you approach the sourcing of external advice, do so thoughtfully, respectfully and honestly. Reciprocate where you can and prepare to be surprised by just how kind and helpful your peers can be!

Mastermind Group

• Solo entrepreneurs or small teams with low capacity
• Peer learning and gaining outside expertise
• Getting multiple external points of view quickly

Problem solving in large organizations with lots of skilled team members is one thing, but how about if you work for yourself or in a very small team without the capacity to get the most from a design sprint or LEGO Serious Play session? 

A mastermind group – sometimes known as a peer advisory board – is where a group of people come together to support one another in their own goals, challenges, and businesses. Each participant comes to the group with their own purpose and the other members of the group will help them create solutions, brainstorm ideas, and support one another. 

Mastermind groups are very effective in creating an energized, supportive atmosphere that can deliver meaningful results. Learning from peers from outside of your organization or industry can really help unlock new ways of thinking and drive growth. Access to the experience and skills of your peers can be invaluable in helping fill the gaps in your own ability, particularly in young companies.

A mastermind group is a great solution for solo entrepreneurs, small teams, or for organizations that feel that external expertise or fresh perspectives will be beneficial for them. It is worth noting that Mastermind groups are often only as good as the participants and what they can bring to the group. Participants need to be committed, engaged and understand how to work in this context. 

Coaching and mentoring

• Focused learning and development
• Filling skills gaps
• Working on a range of challenges over time

Receiving advice from a business coach or building a mentor/mentee relationship can be an effective way of resolving certain challenges. The one-to-one format of most coaching and mentor relationships can really help solve the challenges those individuals are having and benefit the organization as a result.

A great mentor can be invaluable when it comes to spotting potential problems before they arise and coming to understand a mentee very well has a host of other business benefits. You might run an internal mentorship program to help develop your team’s problem solving skills and strategies or as part of a large learning and development program. External coaches can also be an important part of your problem solving strategy, filling skills gaps for your management team or helping with specific business issues. 

Now we’ve explored the problem solving process and the steps you will want to go through in order to have an effective session, let’s look at the skills you and your team need to be more effective problem solvers.

Problem solving skills are highly sought after, whatever industry or team you work in. Organizations are keen to employ people who are able to approach problems thoughtfully and find strong, realistic solutions. Whether you are a facilitator , a team leader or a developer, being an effective problem solver is a skill you’ll want to develop.

Problem solving skills form a whole suite of techniques and approaches that an individual uses to not only identify problems but to discuss them productively before then developing appropriate solutions.

Here are some of the most important problem solving skills everyone from executives to junior staff members should learn. We’ve also included an activity or exercise from the SessionLab library that can help you and your team develop that skill. 

If you’re running a workshop or training session to try and improve problem solving skills in your team, try using these methods to supercharge your process!

Active listening

Active listening is one of the most important skills anyone who works with people can possess. In short, active listening is a technique used to not only better understand what is being said by an individual, but also to be more aware of the underlying message the speaker is trying to convey. When it comes to problem solving, active listening is integral for understanding the position of every participant and to clarify the challenges, ideas and solutions they bring to the table.

Some active listening skills include:

• Paying complete attention to the speaker.
• Removing distractions.
• Avoid interruption.
• Taking the time to fully understand before preparing a rebuttal.
• Responding respectfully and appropriately.
• Demonstrate attentiveness and positivity with an open posture, making eye contact with the speaker, smiling and nodding if appropriate. Show that you are listening and encourage them to continue.
• Be aware of and respectful of feelings. Judge the situation and respond appropriately. You can disagree without being disrespectful.   
• Observe body language. 
• Paraphrase what was said in your own words, either mentally or verbally.
• Remain neutral. 
• Reflect and take a moment before responding.
• Ask deeper questions based on what is said and clarify points where necessary.   

Active Listening   #hyperisland   #skills   #active listening   #remote-friendly   This activity supports participants to reflect on a question and generate their own solutions using simple principles of active listening and peer coaching. It’s an excellent introduction to active listening but can also be used with groups that are already familiar with it. Participants work in groups of three and take turns being: “the subject”, the listener, and the observer.

Analytical skills

All problem solving models require strong analytical skills, particularly during the beginning of the process and when it comes to analyzing how solutions have performed.

Analytical skills are primarily focused on performing an effective analysis by collecting, studying and parsing data related to a problem or opportunity. 

It often involves spotting patterns, being able to see things from different perspectives and using observable facts and data to make suggestions or produce insight. 

Analytical skills are also important at every stage of the problem solving process and by having these skills, you can ensure that any ideas or solutions you create or backed up analytically and have been sufficiently thought out.

Nine Whys   #innovation   #issue analysis   #liberating structures   With breathtaking simplicity, you can rapidly clarify for individuals and a group what is essentially important in their work. You can quickly reveal when a compelling purpose is missing in a gathering and avoid moving forward without clarity. When a group discovers an unambiguous shared purpose, more freedom and more responsibility are unleashed. You have laid the foundation for spreading and scaling innovations with fidelity.

Collaboration

Trying to solve problems on your own is difficult. Being able to collaborate effectively, with a free exchange of ideas, to delegate and be a productive member of a team is hugely important to all problem solving strategies.

Remember that whatever your role, collaboration is integral, and in a problem solving process, you are all working together to find the best solution for everyone. 

Marshmallow challenge with debriefing   #teamwork   #team   #leadership   #collaboration   In eighteen minutes, teams must build the tallest free-standing structure out of 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. The marshmallow needs to be on top. The Marshmallow Challenge was developed by Tom Wujec, who has done the activity with hundreds of groups around the world. Visit the Marshmallow Challenge website for more information. This version has an extra debriefing question added with sample questions focusing on roles within the team.

Communication  

Being an effective communicator means being empathetic, clear and succinct, asking the right questions, and demonstrating active listening skills throughout any discussion or meeting. 

In a problem solving setting, you need to communicate well in order to progress through each stage of the process effectively. As a team leader, it may also fall to you to facilitate communication between parties who may not see eye to eye. Effective communication also means helping others to express themselves and be heard in a group.

Bus Trip   #feedback   #communication   #appreciation   #closing   #thiagi   #team   This is one of my favourite feedback games. I use Bus Trip at the end of a training session or a meeting, and I use it all the time. The game creates a massive amount of energy with lots of smiles, laughs, and sometimes even a teardrop or two.

Creative problem solving skills can be some of the best tools in your arsenal. Thinking creatively, being able to generate lots of ideas and come up with out of the box solutions is useful at every step of the process. 

The kinds of problems you will likely discuss in a problem solving workshop are often difficult to solve, and by approaching things in a fresh, creative manner, you can often create more innovative solutions.

Having practical creative skills is also a boon when it comes to problem solving. If you can help create quality design sketches and prototypes in record time, it can help bring a team to alignment more quickly or provide a base for further iteration.

The paper clip method   #sharing   #creativity   #warm up   #idea generation   #brainstorming   The power of brainstorming. A training for project leaders, creativity training, and to catalyse getting new solutions.

Critical thinking

Critical thinking is one of the fundamental problem solving skills you’ll want to develop when working on developing solutions. Critical thinking is the ability to analyze, rationalize and evaluate while being aware of personal bias, outlying factors and remaining open-minded.

Defining and analyzing problems without deploying critical thinking skills can mean you and your team go down the wrong path. Developing solutions to complex issues requires critical thinking too – ensuring your team considers all possibilities and rationally evaluating them. 

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.

Data analysis 

Though it shares lots of space with general analytical skills, data analysis skills are something you want to cultivate in their own right in order to be an effective problem solver.

Being good at data analysis doesn’t just mean being able to find insights from data, but also selecting the appropriate data for a given issue, interpreting it effectively and knowing how to model and present that data. Depending on the problem at hand, it might also include a working knowledge of specific data analysis tools and procedures. 

Having a solid grasp of data analysis techniques is useful if you’re leading a problem solving workshop but if you’re not an expert, don’t worry. Bring people into the group who has this skill set and help your team be more effective as a result.

Decision making

All problems need a solution and all solutions require that someone make the decision to implement them. Without strong decision making skills, teams can become bogged down in discussion and less effective as a result. 

Making decisions is a key part of the problem solving process. It’s important to remember that decision making is not restricted to the leadership team. Every staff member makes decisions every day and developing these skills ensures that your team is able to solve problems at any scale. Remember that making decisions does not mean leaping to the first solution but weighing up the options and coming to an informed, well thought out solution to any given problem that works for the whole team.

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

Dependability

Most complex organizational problems require multiple people to be involved in delivering the solution. Ensuring that the team and organization can depend on you to take the necessary actions and communicate where necessary is key to ensuring problems are solved effectively.

Being dependable also means working to deadlines and to brief. It is often a matter of creating trust in a team so that everyone can depend on one another to complete the agreed actions in the agreed time frame so that the team can move forward together. Being undependable can create problems of friction and can limit the effectiveness of your solutions so be sure to bear this in mind throughout a project. 

Team Purpose & Culture   #team   #hyperisland   #culture   #remote-friendly   This is an essential process designed to help teams define their purpose (why they exist) and their culture (how they work together to achieve that purpose). Defining these two things will help any team to be more focused and aligned. With support of tangible examples from other companies, the team members work as individuals and a group to codify the way they work together. The goal is a visual manifestation of both the purpose and culture that can be put up in the team’s work space.

Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is an important skill for any successful team member, whether communicating internally or with clients or users. In the problem solving process, emotional intelligence means being attuned to how people are feeling and thinking, communicating effectively and being self-aware of what you bring to a room. 

There are often differences of opinion when working through problem solving processes, and it can be easy to let things become impassioned or combative. Developing your emotional intelligence means being empathetic to your colleagues and managing your own emotions throughout the problem and solution process. Be kind, be thoughtful and put your points across care and attention. 

Being emotionally intelligent is a skill for life and by deploying it at work, you can not only work efficiently but empathetically. Check out the emotional culture workshop template for more!

Facilitation

As we’ve clarified in our facilitation skills post, facilitation is the art of leading people through processes towards agreed-upon objectives in a manner that encourages participation, ownership, and creativity by all those involved. While facilitation is a set of interrelated skills in itself, the broad definition of facilitation can be invaluable when it comes to problem solving. Leading a team through a problem solving process is made more effective if you improve and utilize facilitation skills – whether you’re a manager, team leader or external stakeholder.

The Six Thinking Hats   #creative thinking   #meeting facilitation   #problem solving   #issue resolution   #idea generation   #conflict resolution   The Six Thinking Hats are used by individuals and groups to separate out conflicting styles of thinking. They enable and encourage a group of people to think constructively together in exploring and implementing change, rather than using argument to fight over who is right and who is wrong.

Flexibility 

Being flexible is a vital skill when it comes to problem solving. This does not mean immediately bowing to pressure or changing your opinion quickly: instead, being flexible is all about seeing things from new perspectives, receiving new information and factoring it into your thought process.

Flexibility is also important when it comes to rolling out solutions. It might be that other organizational projects have greater priority or require the same resources as your chosen solution. Being flexible means understanding needs and challenges across the team and being open to shifting or arranging your own schedule as necessary. Again, this does not mean immediately making way for other projects. It’s about articulating your own needs, understanding the needs of others and being able to come to a meaningful compromise.

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.

Working in any group can lead to unconscious elements of groupthink or situations in which you may not wish to be entirely honest. Disagreeing with the opinions of the executive team or wishing to save the feelings of a coworker can be tricky to navigate, but being honest is absolutely vital when to comes to developing effective solutions and ensuring your voice is heard. 

Remember that being honest does not mean being brutally candid. You can deliver your honest feedback and opinions thoughtfully and without creating friction by using other skills such as emotional intelligence. 

Explore your Values   #hyperisland   #skills   #values   #remote-friendly   Your Values is an exercise for participants to explore what their most important values are. It’s done in an intuitive and rapid way to encourage participants to follow their intuitive feeling rather than over-thinking and finding the “correct” values. It is a good exercise to use to initiate reflection and dialogue around personal values.

Initiative 

The problem solving process is multi-faceted and requires different approaches at certain points of the process. Taking initiative to bring problems to the attention of the team, collect data or lead the solution creating process is always valuable. You might even roadtest your own small scale solutions or brainstorm before a session. Taking initiative is particularly effective if you have good deal of knowledge in that area or have ownership of a particular project and want to get things kickstarted.

That said, be sure to remember to honor the process and work in service of the team. If you are asked to own one part of the problem solving process and you don’t complete that task because your initiative leads you to work on something else, that’s not an effective method of solving business challenges.

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.

Impartiality

A particularly useful problem solving skill for product owners or managers is the ability to remain impartial throughout much of the process. In practice, this means treating all points of view and ideas brought forward in a meeting equally and ensuring that your own areas of interest or ownership are not favored over others. 

There may be a stage in the process where a decision maker has to weigh the cost and ROI of possible solutions against the company roadmap though even then, ensuring that the decision made is based on merit and not personal opinion. 

Empathy map   #frame insights   #create   #design   #issue analysis   An empathy map is a tool to help a design team to empathize with the people they are designing for. You can make an empathy map for a group of people or for a persona. To be used after doing personas when more insights are needed.

Being a good leader means getting a team aligned, energized and focused around a common goal. In the problem solving process, strong leadership helps ensure that the process is efficient, that any conflicts are resolved and that a team is managed in the direction of success.

It’s common for managers or executives to assume this role in a problem solving workshop, though it’s important that the leader maintains impartiality and does not bulldoze the group in a particular direction. Remember that good leadership means working in service of the purpose and team and ensuring the workshop is a safe space for employees of any level to contribute. Take a look at our leadership games and activities post for more exercises and methods to help improve leadership in your organization.

Leadership Pizza   #leadership   #team   #remote-friendly   This leadership development activity offers a self-assessment framework for people to first identify what skills, attributes and attitudes they find important for effective leadership, and then assess their own development and initiate goal setting.

In the context of problem solving, mediation is important in keeping a team engaged, happy and free of conflict. When leading or facilitating a problem solving workshop, you are likely to run into differences of opinion. Depending on the nature of the problem, certain issues may be brought up that are emotive in nature. 

Being an effective mediator means helping those people on either side of such a divide are heard, listen to one another and encouraged to find common ground and a resolution. Mediating skills are useful for leaders and managers in many situations and the problem solving process is no different.

Conflict Responses   #hyperisland   #team   #issue resolution   A workshop for a team to reflect on past conflicts, and use them to generate guidelines for effective conflict handling. The workshop uses the Thomas-Killman model of conflict responses to frame a reflective discussion. Use it to open up a discussion around conflict with a team.

Planning 

Solving organizational problems is much more effective when following a process or problem solving model. Planning skills are vital in order to structure, deliver and follow-through on a problem solving workshop and ensure your solutions are intelligently deployed.

Planning skills include the ability to organize tasks and a team, plan and design the process and take into account any potential challenges. Taking the time to plan carefully can save time and frustration later in the process and is valuable for ensuring a team is positioned for success.

3 Action Steps   #hyperisland   #action   #remote-friendly   This is a small-scale strategic planning session that helps groups and individuals to take action toward a desired change. It is often used at the end of a workshop or programme. The group discusses and agrees on a vision, then creates some action steps that will lead them towards that vision. The scope of the challenge is also defined, through discussion of the helpful and harmful factors influencing the group.

Prioritization

As organisations grow, the scale and variation of problems they face multiplies. Your team or is likely to face numerous challenges in different areas and so having the skills to analyze and prioritize becomes very important, particularly for those in leadership roles.

A thorough problem solving process is likely to deliver multiple solutions and you may have several different problems you wish to solve simultaneously. Prioritization is the ability to measure the importance, value, and effectiveness of those possible solutions and choose which to enact and in what order. The process of prioritization is integral in ensuring the biggest challenges are addressed with the most impactful solutions.

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.

Project management

Some problem solving skills are utilized in a workshop or ideation phases, while others come in useful when it comes to decision making. Overseeing an entire problem solving process and ensuring its success requires strong project management skills. 

While project management incorporates many of the other skills listed here, it is important to note the distinction of considering all of the factors of a project and managing them successfully. Being able to negotiate with stakeholders, manage tasks, time and people, consider costs and ROI, and tie everything together is massively helpful when going through the problem solving process. 

Record keeping

Working out meaningful solutions to organizational challenges is only one part of the process.  Thoughtfully documenting and keeping records of each problem solving step for future consultation is important in ensuring efficiency and meaningful change. 

For example, some problems may be lower priority than others but can be revisited in the future. If the team has ideated on solutions and found some are not up to the task, record those so you can rule them out and avoiding repeating work. Keeping records of the process also helps you improve and refine your problem solving model next time around!

Personal Kanban   #gamestorming   #action   #agile   #project planning   Personal Kanban is a tool for organizing your work to be more efficient and productive. It is based on agile methods and principles.

Research skills

Conducting research to support both the identification of problems and the development of appropriate solutions is important for an effective process. Knowing where to go to collect research, how to conduct research efficiently, and identifying pieces of research are relevant are all things a good researcher can do well. 

In larger groups, not everyone has to demonstrate this ability in order for a problem solving workshop to be effective. That said, having people with research skills involved in the process, particularly if they have existing area knowledge, can help ensure the solutions that are developed with data that supports their intention. Remember that being able to deliver the results of research efficiently and in a way the team can easily understand is also important. The best data in the world is only as effective as how it is delivered and interpreted.

Customer experience map   #ideation   #concepts   #research   #design   #issue analysis   #remote-friendly   Customer experience mapping is a method of documenting and visualizing the experience a customer has as they use the product or service. It also maps out their responses to their experiences. To be used when there is a solution (even in a conceptual stage) that can be analyzed.

Risk management

Managing risk is an often overlooked part of the problem solving process. Solutions are often developed with the intention of reducing exposure to risk or solving issues that create risk but sometimes, great solutions are more experimental in nature and as such, deploying them needs to be carefully considered. 

Managing risk means acknowledging that there may be risks associated with more out of the box solutions or trying new things, but that this must be measured against the possible benefits and other organizational factors. 

Be informed, get the right data and stakeholders in the room and you can appropriately factor risk into your decision making process. 

Decisions, Decisions…   #communication   #decision making   #thiagi   #action   #issue analysis   When it comes to decision-making, why are some of us more prone to take risks while others are risk-averse? One explanation might be the way the decision and options were presented.  This exercise, based on Kahneman and Tversky’s classic study , illustrates how the framing effect influences our judgement and our ability to make decisions . The participants are divided into two groups. Both groups are presented with the same problem and two alternative programs for solving them. The two programs both have the same consequences but are presented differently. The debriefing discussion examines how the framing of the program impacted the participant’s decision.

Team-building 

No single person is as good at problem solving as a team. Building an effective team and helping them come together around a common purpose is one of the most important problem solving skills, doubly so for leaders. By bringing a team together and helping them work efficiently, you pave the way for team ownership of a problem and the development of effective solutions. 

In a problem solving workshop, it can be tempting to jump right into the deep end, though taking the time to break the ice, energize the team and align them with a game or exercise will pay off over the course of the day.

Remember that you will likely go through the problem solving process multiple times over an organization’s lifespan and building a strong team culture will make future problem solving more effective. It’s also great to work with people you know, trust and have fun with. Working on team building in and out of the problem solving process is a hallmark of successful teams that can work together to solve business problems.

9 Dimensions Team Building Activity   #ice breaker   #teambuilding   #team   #remote-friendly   9 Dimensions is a powerful activity designed to build relationships and trust among team members. There are 2 variations of this icebreaker. The first version is for teams who want to get to know each other better. The second version is for teams who want to explore how they are working together as a team.

Time management 

The problem solving process is designed to lead a team from identifying a problem through to delivering a solution and evaluating its effectiveness. Without effective time management skills or timeboxing of tasks, it can be easy for a team to get bogged down or be inefficient.

By using a problem solving model and carefully designing your workshop, you can allocate time efficiently and trust that the process will deliver the results you need in a good timeframe.

Time management also comes into play when it comes to rolling out solutions, particularly those that are experimental in nature. Having a clear timeframe for implementing and evaluating solutions is vital for ensuring their success and being able to pivot if necessary.

Improving your skills at problem solving is often a career-long pursuit though there are methods you can use to make the learning process more efficient and to supercharge your problem solving skillset.

Remember that the skills you need to be a great problem solver have a large overlap with those skills you need to be effective in any role. Investing time and effort to develop your active listening or critical thinking skills is valuable in any context. Here are 7 ways to improve your problem solving skills.

Share best practices

Remember that your team is an excellent source of skills, wisdom, and techniques and that you should all take advantage of one another where possible. Best practices that one team has for solving problems, conducting research or making decisions should be shared across the organization. If you have in-house staff that have done active listening training or are data analysis pros, have them lead a training session. 

Your team is one of your best resources. Create space and internal processes for the sharing of skills so that you can all grow together. 

Ask for help and attend training

Once you’ve figured out you have a skills gap, the next step is to take action to fill that skills gap. That might be by asking your superior for training or coaching, or liaising with team members with that skill set. You might even attend specialized training for certain skills – active listening or critical thinking, for example, are business-critical skills that are regularly offered as part of a training scheme.

Whatever method you choose, remember that taking action of some description is necessary for growth. Whether that means practicing, getting help, attending training or doing some background reading, taking active steps to improve your skills is the way to go.

Learn a process 

Problem solving can be complicated, particularly when attempting to solve large problems for the first time. Using a problem solving process helps give structure to your problem solving efforts and focus on creating outcomes, rather than worrying about the format. 

Tools such as the seven-step problem solving process above are effective because not only do they feature steps that will help a team solve problems, they also develop skills along the way. Each step asks for people to engage with the process using different skills and in doing so, helps the team learn and grow together. Group processes of varying complexity and purpose can also be found in the SessionLab library of facilitation techniques . Using a tried and tested process and really help ease the learning curve for both those leading such a process, as well as those undergoing the purpose.

Effective teams make decisions about where they should and shouldn’t expend additional effort. By using a problem solving process, you can focus on the things that matter, rather than stumbling towards a solution haphazardly. 

Create a feedback loop

Some skills gaps are more obvious than others. It’s possible that your perception of your active listening skills differs from those of your colleagues. 

It’s valuable to create a system where team members can provide feedback in an ordered and friendly manner so they can all learn from one another. Only by identifying areas of improvement can you then work to improve them. 

Remember that feedback systems require oversight and consideration so that they don’t turn into a place to complain about colleagues. Design the system intelligently so that you encourage the creation of learning opportunities, rather than encouraging people to list their pet peeves.

While practice might not make perfect, it does make the problem solving process easier. If you are having trouble with critical thinking, don’t shy away from doing it. Get involved where you can and stretch those muscles as regularly as possible. 

Problem solving skills come more naturally to some than to others and that’s okay. Take opportunities to get involved and see where you can practice your skills in situations outside of a workshop context. Try collaborating in other circumstances at work or conduct data analysis on your own projects. You can often develop those skills you need for problem solving simply by doing them. Get involved!

Use expert exercises and methods

Learn from the best. Our library of 700+ facilitation techniques is full of activities and methods that help develop the skills you need to be an effective problem solver. Check out our templates to see how to approach problem solving and other organizational challenges in a structured and intelligent manner.

There is no single approach to improving problem solving skills, but by using the techniques employed by others you can learn from their example and develop processes that have seen proven results. 

Try new ways of thinking and change your mindset

Using tried and tested exercises that you know well can help deliver results, but you do run the risk of missing out on the learning opportunities offered by new approaches. As with the problem solving process, changing your mindset can remove blockages and be used to develop your problem solving skills.

Most teams have members with mixed skill sets and specialties. Mix people from different teams and share skills and different points of view. Teach your customer support team how to use design thinking methods or help your developers with conflict resolution techniques. Try switching perspectives with facilitation techniques like Flip It! or by using new problem solving methodologies or models. Give design thinking, liberating structures or lego serious play a try if you want to try a new approach. You will find that framing problems in new ways and using existing skills in new contexts can be hugely useful for personal development and improving your skillset. It’s also a lot of fun to try new things. Give it a go!

Encountering business challenges and needing to find appropriate solutions is not unique to your organization. Lots of very smart people have developed methods, theories and approaches to help develop problem solving skills and create effective solutions. Learn from them!

Books like The Art of Thinking Clearly , Think Smarter, or Thinking Fast, Thinking Slow are great places to start, though it’s also worth looking at blogs related to organizations facing similar problems to yours, or browsing for success stories. Seeing how Dropbox massively increased growth and working backward can help you see the skills or approach you might be lacking to solve that same problem. Learning from others by reading their stories or approaches can be time-consuming but ultimately rewarding.

A tired, distracted mind is not in the best position to learn new skills. It can be tempted to burn the candle at both ends and develop problem solving skills outside of work. Absolutely use your time effectively and take opportunities for self-improvement, though remember that rest is hugely important and that without letting your brain rest, you cannot be at your most effective. 

Creating distance between yourself and the problem you might be facing can also be useful. By letting an idea sit, you can find that a better one presents itself or you can develop it further. Take regular breaks when working and create a space for downtime. Remember that working smarter is preferable to working harder and that self-care is important for any effective learning or improvement process.

Want to design better group processes?

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Now we’ve explored some of the key problem solving skills and the problem solving steps necessary for an effective process, you’re ready to begin developing more effective solutions and leading problem solving workshops.

Need more inspiration? Check out our post on problem solving activities you can use when guiding a group towards a great solution in your next workshop or meeting. Have questions? Did you have a great problem solving technique you use with your team? Get in touch in the comments below. We’d love to chat!

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Soft Skills

Mastering the Art of Strategic Thinking: Unlocking Your Problem-Solving Potential

The ability to think strategically is paramount for both personal and professional success. Strategic thinking skills enable individuals to navigate challenges, devise creative solutions, and make informed decisions that drive them toward achieving their goals. In this blog, we will explore the intricacies of strategic thinking, how it contributes to problem-solving, and how you can develop and apply these skills to enhance your strategic thinking abilities.

Understanding the Importance of Strategic Thinking

Before delving into the benefits of strategic thinking, it's essential to understand what exactly it entails. Strategic thinking goes beyond short-term planning; it involves envisioning the bigger picture, analyzing complex situations, and devising plans that align with long-term objectives. Its core components encompass critical thinking, creativity, analysis, and foresight. Strategic thinking is a cognitive process that not only grasps the current landscape but also envisions future possibilities as a leader of change in the organization. It requires a holistic approach to problem-solving, where individuals consider the intricate interplay of various factors.

This approach involves breaking down complex challenges into manageable components, assessing how they connect, and anticipating potential changes . By integrating critical thinking, individuals can dissect problems from multiple angles, unravel hidden patterns, and unveil underlying opportunities. Creativity then becomes the bridge that connects these patterns, allowing for the synthesis of innovative ideas and unconventional solutions. The analytical aspect of strategic thinking involves meticulous data gathering and objective evaluation, enabling individuals to make informed decisions backed by evidence. All of these components are underpinned by foresight – the ability to anticipate shifts in trends, technology, and the market, which aids in making strategies that are robust and adaptable to evolving circumstances.

The Benefits of Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking equips individuals with the tools needed to make well-informed decisions. Strategic thinkers can identify the best course of action in various scenarios by considering multiple perspectives and potential outcomes. This skill becomes especially valuable when faced with complex problems requiring thorough evaluation and analysis to create innovative solutions.

One of the hallmarks of strategic thinking is the ability to anticipate challenges before they arise. By analyzing current trends and projecting them into the future, strategic thinkers can proactively prepare for potential obstacles and develop strategies to overcome them. This proactive approach minimizes risks and ensures a smoother journey toward achieving goals.

Strategic thinkers thrive in dynamic environments. Their capacity to view challenges as opportunities for growth drives innovation within themselves and their teams. Adapting to changing circumstances becomes second nature, fostering an atmosphere of continuous improvement and learning.

Developing a Strategic Mindset

Strategic thinking begins with curiosity. Cultivate a thirst for knowledge and a desire to understand various perspectives. Open-mindedness allows for the exploration of unconventional solutions and the integration of diverse ideas. Shift your focus from short-term gains to long-term outcomes. A strategic mindset involves considering the lasting impact of your decisions on your personal and professional journey.

Strategic thinkers are known for their innovative ideas. However, it's crucial to balance creativity with practicality. Strive for solutions that push boundaries and are feasible within the given context.

Key Elements of Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking hinges on a thorough understanding of internal and external factors affecting your goals. Identifying opportunities requires a keen eye for potential areas of growth. Simultaneously, recognizing threats allows for implementing strategies that safeguard against potential pitfalls. Successful change leaders use strategic thinking to capitalize on their strengths while addressing weaknesses. This involves optimizing your resources and improving areas that might hinder your progress.

Strategic Planning and Goal Setting

Strategic goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). These criteria provide a clear framework for tracking progress and ensuring alignment with your overall strategy as a leader . Translating ideas into actionable plans involves breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps. Assign timelines to each step to maintain accountability and measure success. Your strategic plans should align seamlessly with your organization's vision and mission. This alignment ensures that every action taken contributes to the overarching purpose.

Problem-Solving Frameworks for Strategic Thinkers

Strategic thinkers can use a few different frameworks for problem-solving both individually and for their organization. Analyzing your organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) is a cornerstone of strategic thinking. SWOT analysis is a versatile tool that aids in understanding your current position and potential paths forward. You can make more informed decisions by evaluating internal strengths and weaknesses alongside external opportunities and threats.

PESTEL analysis provides a comprehensive view of the external factors impacting your goals. Understanding these factors helps you adapt your strategies to changes in the broader environment. Strategic thinkers and leaders often engage in scenario planning to prepare for a range of possible futures. This approach ensures that your strategies remain adaptable, regardless of how circumstances evolve.

Developing Strategic Thinking in Leadership

Leaders play a pivotal role in cultivating strategic thinking among their teams. By encouraging open discussions, welcoming diverse viewpoints, and valuing active listening , leaders create an environment that nurtures these skills. Organizations prioritizing innovation and continuous learning create a fertile ground for strategic thinking to flourish. Encourage experimentation, provide learning opportunities, and celebrate both successes and failures. Leaders who exhibit strategic thinking in decision-making set the tone for the entire organization.

Overcoming Barriers to Strategic Thinking

Cognitive biases can cloud judgment and hinder strategic thinking. Be aware of these unconscious biases and actively challenge them to ensure your decisions are grounded in rational analysis. Strategic thinkers are comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty. Develop the resilience to navigate these situations and make decisions based on available information. Setbacks are a natural part of any journey. Viewing them as opportunities for growth and learning enhances your ability to persevere and adapt your strategies.

Training Courses on Strategic Thinking

Mastering the art of strategic thinking is a journey that requires dedication, continuous learning, and a willingness to embrace change. By developing your problem-solving skills and adopting a strategic mindset, you'll enhance your personal and professional success and contribute to a more innovative and adaptable world. With EasyLlama’s mini-course on Strategic Thinking in change leadership, you and your employees can learn how to improve operations for your organization. Using interactive quizzes and real-life video scenarios, learners are more likely to engage with and retain the information from our modern courses — access your free course preview today to learn more!

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4 Ways to Develop Your Strategic Thinking Skills

Recall the last time you attended a strategic planning meeting for your company? You likely had to solve a problem or meet a goal.

Strategic thinkers are essential in the modern business world because they can change the way a company works.

Want to be a better strategic thinker? Great news! With the right approach and practice, it is possible.

Here are four ways to improve your strategic thinking skills, so the next time you’re involved in a corporate strategy meeting, you can ensure your contributions are noticed.

What Are Strategic Thinking Skills?

Strategic skills are any skills that make you think creatively and solve problems.

These skills are the backbone of success, and a brand lacking them will eventually fail to meet, or even anticipate, business objectives.

Strategic skills are also essential if a business has a long-term plan, especially if it is highly time-sensitive.

Types of Strategic Thinking skills

Analytical skills.

To help your organization reach its goals, you must analyze various inputs about your organization’s current situation.

These include financial statements, KPIs, market conditions, emerging trends, and internal resources allocation.

This analysis allows you to create a business strategy that aligns with your organization’s current reality.

Problem-Solving Skills

A good business strategy is often used to solve problems or address challenges, such as missed financial targets, inefficient workflows, or an emerging competitor.

A strategy that addresses the dominant challenge you face requires you first to understand its possible solutions. From there, you can come up with a plan that solves it.

Communication Skills

Strategic thinking requires solid communication skills.

To develop a good corporate strategy, you must communicate complex ideas to internal and external stakeholders, collaborate, build consensus, and ensure everyone is aligned and working toward shared goals.

Planning and Management Skills

If you can analyze information, understand problems, and identify solutions, you are on your way to being a good strategist.

Now, you need to be a good planner. Strategic planning involves implementing your ideas.

Ways To Improve Strategic Thinking Skills

1. ask strategic questions.

Differentiate yourself from your peers by asking more strategic questions to make you a better planner and use the skill throughout your career.

Strategic questions are the keys to unlocking a problem or idea. They help you understand your current situation.

They might relate to launching new merchandise, beating a competitor, or shaping your business for improvement.

It’s similarly significant that your questions relate to your role and responsibilities.

Examples of strategic questions you may ask include: How can you strategically position yourselves to enter a fresh market and the direction for growth for each of your products or services.

2. Observe and Reflect

Just as we asked strategic questions, we must also answer and address them. To do so, we must observe current situations and reflect on them, thus ensuring that any strategy we conceive is based on current facts.

For example, if your company is losing market share among its traditional customers and gaining it among new ones, it’s easy to assume why. But don’t jump to conclusions.

Don’t make assumptions. As you plan your corporate strategy, collect as much information as you can to use in the process.

For example, you could conduct interviews with new customers to learn what jobs they hire your product to do.

New customers are the spark of life for any business. Understand why they’re attracted to your product.

Then, tailor your business strategy and product development to meet their needs.

3. Keep an Open Mind

If you’ve decided on a business strategy to help your company reach its goals, look at things from a different perspective. Try to find alternative ways to achieve your goals and avoid overlooking other possibilities.

You might be tempted to think that your ideas are perfect, but that’s not always the case.

To strengthen your thoughts, you should play devil’s advocate. It can allow you to identify weaknesses in your strategy before anyone else does.

It will also give you the stamina to defend your ideas and explain your strategy to others.

To strengthen your strategy, you’ll want to anticipate arguments against it. You can do this by playing devil’s advocate with your ideas.

It can also help you develop communication skills, which you’ll need to defend the corporate strategy.

4. Formal Training

You can improve your strategic thinking skills by practising the above methods.

However, if you need to ramp up skills to address a pressing need quickly your organization is facing or finally launch your own business, formal training might be your best option.

Business people must cultivate a strategic mindset. The way to do this is through self-exploration, critical questioning, and training.

Strategic thinking is an advantage. It means being able to think more clearly, rather than just knowing information.

You might not have all the answers, but strategic thinking skills can empower you to spot new opportunities, address problems, and plan for future success.

About the Author

Eugen Spivak is a multi-award-winning author , business strategist, and a business coach . Eugen is the founder of the Canadian Institute of International Business , an organization focused on a better way to learn business!

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Problem Solving: Essential Skills for Success

Veejay Ssudhan

Problem-solving is a critical skillset that plays a vital role in both personal and professional success. Regardless of the industry or field, individuals who excel in problem-solving possess a valuable asset that enables them to navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and drive positive outcomes. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of problem-solving skills and highlight key strategies for effective problem-solving approach to life. We discuss how developing these skills can contribute to overall success.

The Significance of Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving skills are essential in various aspects of life. Whether it’s resolving conflicts, overcoming obstacles, or making strategic decisions, individuals who possess strong problem-solving abilities can tackle complex situations with confidence and efficiency.

Here are a few reasons why these skills are crucial for success:

Decision Making : Effective problem solving involves evaluating available options, analyzing consequences, and making informed decisions. The ability to weigh pros and cons, identify potential risks, and select the most viable solutions enables individuals to make sound choices in both personal and professional settings.

Critical Thinking: Problem-solving is closely intertwined with critical thinking. By honing critical thinking skills, individuals can approach problems from multiple perspectives, evaluate evidence, and draw logical conclusions. This helps in developing well-reasoned arguments, identifying root causes, and finding innovative solutions.

Adaptability: Problem-solving skills allow individuals to adapt to changing circumstances and environments. The capacity to think on one’s feet, generate creative solutions, and adjust strategies as needed is particularly valuable in today’s fast-paced and dynamic world.

Effective Communication: Strong problem-solving skills are often accompanied by effective communication. Being able to articulate problems, discuss potential solutions, and collaborate with others fosters productive teamwork, enhances relationships, and paves the way for successful outcomes.

Strategies for Effective Problem Solving

Developing effective problem-solving skills requires a combination of mindset, techniques, and practice. Let’s explore some key strategies that can help individuals enhance their problem-solving abilities:

• Define the Problem: Begin by clearly defining the problem or challenge at hand. Identify the specific issue, its scope, and any constraints or limitations. A well-defined problem provides a solid foundation for subsequent problem-solving steps.
• Gather Information: Collect relevant information and data related to the problem. This may involve research, conducting interviews, consulting experts, or analyzing existing resources. A comprehensive understanding of the problem facilitates more accurate analysis and solution development.
• Analyze the Situation: Break down the problem into its components and analyze each aspect. This may involve identifying underlying causes, recognizing patterns, or conducting a thorough examination of available information. Analyzing the situation helps in identifying potential solutions and assessing their viability.
• Generate Potential Solutions : Brainstorm a range of potential solutions without evaluating them initially. Encourage creativity and explore diverse perspectives. The goal is to generate a broad pool of ideas before narrowing down to the most feasible options.

Approach to finding Options and Solutions

• Evaluate Options: Assess the strengths and weaknesses of each potential solution. Consider the potential risks, benefits, and resources required for implementation. This evaluation process helps in selecting the most appropriate solution based on feasibility and desired outcomes.
• Implement the Solution: Develop a plan of action to implement the chosen solution. Assign responsibilities, set timelines, and allocate resources as needed. Effective implementation requires clear communication, collaboration, and a well-defined strategy.
• Monitor and Adjust: Continuously monitor the progress of the implemented solution and assess its effectiveness. If necessary, make adjustments and modifications based on feedback and ongoing evaluation. Flexibility and adaptability are key to ensuring the desired outcomes are achieved.
• Learn from Experience: Reflection is a vital part of problem solving. After a problem has been resolved, take the time to evaluate the process and outcomes. Identify lessons learned, areas for improvement, and strategies that were particularly effective. This reflection enables continuous learning and growth as a problem solver.

The Benefits of Developing Skills

Developing strong problem-solving skills brings numerous benefits that contribute to overall success in personal and professional realms. Let’s delve into some of these benefits:

• Enhanced Efficiency: Effective problem solving leads to streamlined processes and efficient use of resources. By addressing problems promptly and developing sound solutions, individuals can save time, minimize wastage, and optimize productivity.
• Increased Innovation: These skills often go hand in hand with innovation. The ability to think creatively, generate unique ideas, and approach challenges from different angles fosters innovation and drives progress.
• Improved Leadership: Strong skills are a hallmark of effective leaders. Leaders who can identify and address problems proactively, make data-driven decisions, and inspire others to solve challenges create a positive and productive work environment.
• Better Collaboration: Problem solving often requires collaboration and teamwork. Individuals with strong skills can effectively communicate ideas, work collaboratively, and resolve conflicts, fostering a harmonious and cooperative work environment.
• Heightened Confidence: Successfully solving problems boosts confidence and self-assurance. Individuals who have overcome challenges through effective problem-solving feel empowered, capable, and more resilient in the face of future obstacles.
• Career Advancement: Employers highly value problem-solving skills, and individuals who excel in this area often experience greater career advancement opportunities. Problem-solving abilities demonstrate a candidate’s potential to handle complex tasks, make strategic decisions, and contribute to organizational success.

Enhancing Solution driven Skills

To enhance problem-solving skills, individuals can adopt the following strategies:

• Embrace a Growth Mindset: Cultivate a mindset that sees challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement. Embrace the belief that problem-solving skills can be developed and refined with practice and perseverance.
• Seek Learning Opportunities: Engage in activities that encourage critical thinking, such as puzzles, riddles, or strategy games. Additionally, seek out training programs, workshops, or online courses that focus on problem-solving techniques.
• Collaborate and Seek Feedback: Collaborate with others to solve problems collectively. Engaging in group problem-solving exercises allows for different perspectives and the exchange of ideas. Additionally, seek feedback from mentors or colleagues to gain insights and identify areas for improvement.
• Reflect and Learn: After solving a problem, take the time to reflect on the process. Consider what worked well, what could have been done differently, and what lessons can be applied to future situations. Regular reflection strengthens problem-solving skills over time.
• Transferable Skills: Industries such as Jewelry involve prototyping, creating and displaying the products for customers.  Teaching is one of the way you can address problem solving abilities.

How to List Problem Solving Skills on your resume?

When listing problem-solving skills on your resume, it’s important to effectively communicate your abilities to potential employers. Here are some tips on how to showcase your  skills in a clear and impactful manner:

• Use the right keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords related to problem-solving skills throughout your resume. Common keywords include “critical thinking,” “analytical skills,” “solution-oriented,” “troubleshooting,” “decision-making,” and “innovation .” These keywords will catch the attention of hiring managers and help them quickly identify your capabilities.
• Highlight specific examples: Rather than simply stating that you have these skills, provide concrete examples of situations where you utilized these skills effectively. Describe the problem or challenge you faced, the actions you took to address it, and the positive outcomes that resulted from your problem-solving approach. Be concise and specific in your descriptions.
• Showcase results: Emphasize the positive impact your  skills have had in previous roles . Quantify the results whenever possible. For example, mention how your abilities improved efficiency, reduced costs, increased productivity, or resolved customer issues. Demonstrating the tangible benefits of your problem-solving skills adds credibility to your resume.

Update your  Skills according to Jobs

• Tailor to the job description: Customize your resume to align with the specific job requirements . Review the job description carefully and identify the key problem-solving skills sought by the employer. Then, highlight relevant experiences and accomplishments that showcase your proficiency in those specific areas. Rather than randomly applying for any job, paying attention to job description will be helpful.
• Include a skills section: Create a dedicated skills section on your resume where you explicitly list your problem-solving skills. Use bullet points to make the skills easily scannable. Consider categorizing your skills into subheadings such as “Analytical Skills,” “Creativity and Innovation,” or “Decision Making.”
• Provide context: If you have undergone training or certification programs that have enhanced your problem-solving skills, mention them in the education or certification section of your resume. Include the name of the program, the duration, and any notable achievements or learnings.

Remember to present your problem-solving skills in a concise and compelling manner. Use action verbs to describe your problem-solving activities and results. By effectively showcasing your problem-solving skills on your resume, you can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the abilities necessary to tackle challenges and contribute to their organization’s success.

Jobs that Require Problem Solving Skills

Problem-solving skills are highly valued across a wide range of professions and industries. Here are some examples of jobs that typically require strong problem-solving abilities:

• Management Consultant: Management consultants work with clients to identify and solve complex business problems. They analyze data, develop strategies, and provide recommendations to improve organizational performance.
• Software Developer: Software developers encounter various challenges during the development process, including debugging code, optimizing performance, and resolving technical issues. Problem-solving skills are crucial for identifying and implementing effective solutions.
• Engineer: Engineers of all disciplines, such as civil, mechanical, electrical, or software engineering, encounter problems that require innovative solutions. They design, analyze, and improve systems, structures, and processes to address specific challenges.
• Project Manager: Project managers are responsible for planning, executing, and completing projects within defined constraints. They need strong problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles, manage risks, and ensure successful project delivery.
• Data Analyst: Data analysts use their problem-solving skills to extract insights from complex datasets. They identify trends, patterns, and correlations, and help organizations make data-driven decisions.

When you looking for volunteering to beef up your resume, these problem solving skills will be helpful . Gaining experience in different conditions and jobs can strengthen your candidature for job.

Other Jobs requiring Solving Skills

• Financial Analyst: Financial analysts analyze financial data, identify trends, and evaluate investment opportunities. They use problem-solving skills to assess risks, develop financial models, and provide recommendations.
• Healthcare Professional: Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals encounter complex medical situations that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, and make decisions to ensure the well-being of patients.
• Sales Manager: Sales managers encounter challenges related to market competition, customer objections, and achieving sales targets. They use problem-solving skills to identify opportunities, develop sales strategies, and overcome obstacles.
• Research Scientist: Research scientists conduct experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions to solve scientific problems. They need strong problem-solving skills to design experiments, interpret results, and develop new scientific theories or technologies.
• Marketing Manager: Marketing managers face challenges related to market trends, consumer behavior, and brand positioning. They use problem-solving skills to develop marketing strategies, address market changes, and optimize campaigns.
• Customer Relationship Manager : Customer Relation Managers play a critical role in handling the customer complaints, focusing on the customer issues and solving them their needs and wants. They leverage problem solving skills to apply the solutions to address any issues they face.

It’s important to note that problem-solving skills are valuable in virtually any profession, as challenges and complexities arise in various aspects of work. Whether you’re in a technical role, a creative field, or a customer-facing position, the ability to effectively solve problems is highly sought after and can contribute to success in your chosen career.

Problem-solving skills are essential for success in all aspects of life. By honing these skills, individuals can approach challenges with confidence, make informed decisions, and drive positive outcomes. Developing effective skills requires a combination of mindset, techniques, and practice. You need to embrace a growth mindset, seeking learning opportunities and collaborating with others.

Taking time to reflect on experiences, individuals can continually improve their problem-solving abilities and reap the benefits of enhanced efficiency, innovation, and career advancement. Embrace problem-solving as a key competency and unlock your potential for success.

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Problem Analysis Techniques: Tools for Effective Decision Making

The multifaceted nature of issues within the professional domain necessitates a comprehensive understanding of problem analysis, a skill set increasingly recognized as pivotal in crafting effective solutions. This foundational approach offers a structured pathway to dissect complex situations, enabling a thorough assessment that aids decision-makers across industries.

As we delve into the realm of problem analysis, we shall explore its significance within different contexts, exemplifying its value in enhancing strategic outcomes. Whether employed within a problem solving course or utilized in a business setting, problem analysis stands out as a cornerstone of successful operational management.

Understanding Problem Analysis

Definition and basics of problem analysis.

Problem analysis is a diagnostic process that allows individuals to identify the core of a complication with precision, thereby paving the way toward a feasible solution. The core of this concept lies in a systematic examination that seeks to separate a problem into manageable parts. This enables decision-makers to ascertain not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes.

Organizations across the globe incorporate problem analysis into their fundamental practices, ensuring robust decision-making and facilitating a problem-solving ethos that can be further bolstered by various online certificate programs .

Importance of problem analysis

At the strategic level, problem analysis is indispensable. It underpins strategic planning by providing clarity, allowing leaders to envision a roadmap that circumvents potential obstacles while maximizing resources efficiently.

Moreover, its influence on productivity cannot be overstated. By simplifying the convoluted, problem analysis enhances an organization's ability to streamline its operations. Effective utility in risk management is yet another beneficial facet; problem analysis allows for the anticipation and mitigation of risks, safeguarding an organization’s assets and reputation.

Various Techniques of Problem Analysis

The 5 why's.

One foundational technique in problem analysis is the 5 Why's . This method, in essence, employs a series of questions, with each answer forming the basis of the next question. The simplicity of repeatedly asking 'Why?' aids in peeling back the layers of an issue, much like an onion, to uncover the fundamental cause.

Though straightforward, this iterative interrogative approach yields profound insights, often leading to solutions that are both effective and surprisingly simple.

Cause and Effect Diagram

Another critical tool within a problem analyst's repertoire is the Cause and Effect Diagram , often termed the Ishikawa or fishbone diagram. The strength of this technique lies in its visual representation of the relationship between a problem and its possible causes. It guides users to systematically dissect the factors contributing to an issue, distinguishing between the significant and the inconsequential—thus forming a hierarchy of concerns that can be addressed according to their impact on the overall problem.

Pareto Analysis

Pareto Analysis, or the 80/20 rule, posits that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes. This technique is particularly useful for prioritizing tasks, making it a staple in both managerial decision-making and problem solving course curricula. By focusing on the critical few causes, this analysis aids in resource allocation, ensuring that efforts are channeled toward the most impactful issues.

Root Cause Analysis

Lastly, Root Cause Analysis is a thorough method used to dissect complex problems, avoid recurrence, and establish a clear course of action for future reference. This methodology is all about digging deeper – much akin to a detective searching for the underlying truth. Emphasizing a systematic approach, it seeks not just to treat the symptoms, but to eradicate the source of issues, thereby preventing a mere superficial fix.

Choosing the Right Problem Analysis Technique

Key factors to be considered.

Selection of the appropriate problem analysis technique is contingent upon several critical factors. The nature and scale of the problem, available resources, and timeline, are all essential elements requiring careful consideration.

The unique aspects of each scenario will invariably influence the choice of technique, with some methods lending themselves to particular types of problems more so than others. The capacity to rationalize the selection process is an indicator of both critical thinking and professionalism.

Guideline on selection among different techniques

Determining which technique to apply hinges on a comprehensive situational analysis, examining both the strengths and weaknesses inherent to each method. A detailed overview of the current challenge underpins an informed decision, guiding the analyst to the most suited approach.

Additionally, understanding the complexity and scope of a problem is crucial as it informs the depth and breadth of analysis needed. In scenarios where the complexity is high, techniques such as Root Cause Analysis may be preferable due to their detailed nature.

In conclusion, problem analysis serves as an indispensable tool in the cascade of decision-making processes. By breaking down issues into their constituent parts, professionals are well-positioned to devise strategic solutions that are both insightful and effective. The techniques described herein, from the 5 Why's to Root Cause Analysis, offer a compendium of approaches best suited to the diverse array of challenges that may arise.

As such, the importance of these problem analysis techniques cannot be overstated, and there's a growing impetus for their application across a wide range of professional fields. Whether by enrolling in a online certificate programs or by undertaking a problem solving course , the mastery of these methods is vital for any thriving enterprise or individual seeking to navigate the complexities of the modern world with skill and agility.

What are the key components of effective problem analysis techniques in decision-making processes?

Understanding the problem.

Effective problem analysis starts with clarity. One must understand the issue at hand fully. Ask critical questions. These narrow the problem's scope. Identify goals, needs, and limitations. This structured approach eases subsequent steps.

Gathering Relevant Information

One cannot analyze problems in isolation. Information forms the analysis's backbone. Seek data from diverse sources. Collect historical, empirical, and anecdotal evidence. Cross-reference facts. This builds a comprehensive knowledge base.

Identifying Key Factors

Every problem has underlying factors. Recognize these to focus the analysis. Differentiate between cause and effect. Assign priorities to each factor. Understand their interrelations. This step shapes potential solutions.

Employing Analytical Tools

Use established tools for structured analysis. Models like SWOT or PESTLE offer frameworks. Apply Decision Matrix Analysis or Root Cause Analysis to dig deeper. These tools bring objectivity. They help avoid cognitive biases.

Generating Alternatives

Do not fixate on a single solution. Develop many potential answers. Creativity plays a crucial role here. Brainstorming sessions can fuel innovation. Ensure diversity in thought among participants. This enhances the breadth of options.

Evaluating Alternatives

Consider the feasibility of each alternative. Assess their alignment with goals. Perform cost-benefit analysis. Check for unintended consequences. Make comparisons easier with ranking or scoring systems. This aids in discerning the optimal choice.

Making the Decision

After thorough evaluation, decide on the best alternative. Ensure it aligns with the goals identified earlier. It should address key factors effectively. Prepare to act decisively. Confidence in the choice grounds the decision in logic.

Reviewing the Decision

Post-implementation review is vital. Monitor for expected outcomes. Adapt based on feedback and results. This step ensures continuous improvement. It is critical for long-term decision-making success.

Practical Tips:

- Break problems down into smaller parts.

- Engage stakeholders for varied perspectives.

- Keep the analysis flexible; adapt as you learn.

- Document assumptions for transparency.

- Communicate analysis clearly to relevant parties.

In summary, effective problem analysis integrates these components seamlessly. It demands both discipline and flexibility. By following these guidelines, decision-makers can approach complex problems systematically and make informed decisions that stand the test of uncertainty and scrutiny.

How does the application of these techniques enhance the validity and reliability of managerial decisions?

The importance of techniques in decision-making.

Managerial decision-making requires accuracy. It hinges on reliable data. Various techniques aid this process. These methods sharpen the insight of managers. Improved decisions lead to better outcomes.

Data Analysis Enhances Understanding

Data analysis is vital. It clarifies complex situations. Managers analyze trends through this. They detect patterns in consumer behavior. Predictive analytics can foresee market changes. This leads to proactive decision-making.

Modeling Reduces Uncertainty

Modeling offers hypothetical scenarios. Managers test various outcomes here. Risk assessment becomes more precise. Uncertainty in decisions reduces significantly. This technique validates the predicted results. Managers make informed choices.

Benchmarking Sets Performance Standards

Benchmarking compares business processes. It looks at industry best practices. Managers identify performance gaps through it. Quality improvements follow next. This method ensures continual improvement. Benchmarking validates strategic priorities.

Cost-Benefit Analysis Justifies Financial Decisions

Cost-benefit analysis weighs options financially. Every potential action is examined. Costs compare against possible benefits. This justifies investment decisions. It promotes financial prudence. Reliability in financial decisions increases.

Sensitivity Analysis Uncovers Risk

Sensitivity analysis tests assumptions. It explores the 'what-ifs'. Managers understand the impact of change. They prepare better for volatility. This strengthens the robustness of plans.

Decision Trees Provide Visual Clarity

Decision trees map choices visually. They outline consequences stepwise. Managers grasp complex choices easily. It simplifies understanding. Each decision path becomes clear. Better decision-making ensues.

SWOT Analysis Reveals Opportunities and Risks

SWOT analysis focuses on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats. Managers use it for strategic planning. Internal and external factors are weighed. It spots critical issues. This analysis guides strategic shifts.

Feedback Mechanisms Promote Continuous Learning

Feedback mechanisms improve ongoing processes. They involve staff and customers. Feedback solicits different perspectives. It uncovers potential flaws early. Continuous learning becomes part of the culture. It iteratively enhances decision quality.

The Balanced Scorecard Aligns Decisions with Strategy

The balanced scorecard links everyday actions to strategy. It measures from four perspectives: financial, customer, internal processes, learning and growth. Managers see how actions affect objectives. Decisions align with long-term goals.

Applying these techniques creates a multidimensional analysis framework. It incorporates quantitative and qualitative insights. Managers make decisions based on a 360-degree viewpoint. Validity and reliability in managerial decisions build a resilient organization. Each technique complements others. They mitigate bias. They encourage objectivity. Collectively, they lead to more scientifically grounded decisions. Businesses thrive on sound decisions. Managers who leverage these techniques drive success.

Can problem analysis techniques be customized or modified to suit specific organizational contexts and if so, how?

Customizing problem analysis techniques.

Organizations face unique challenges. These stem from their specific contexts. Hence, problem analysis techniques seldom fit all uniformly. Such techniques require adaptation. They must reflect organizational culture, structure, and goals.

Understanding Organizational Context

Each organization operates distinctly. They have their own cultures, processes, and strategies. Recognizing these nuances is critical. It fuels effective customization of problem analysis methods.

Problem analysis is not one-size-fits-all. Managers should first understand their organizational dynamics. Then, they can tailor analysis methods appropriately.

Steps for Customization

- Assess the organization

- Identify challenges

- Consider available resources

- Acknowledge constraints

Assessment reveals specific needs. Identification prioritizes problems. Consideration recognizes tools at disposal. Acknowledgement of limitations sets realistic boundaries.

Modifying Existing Frameworks

Existing problem analysis frameworks are starting points. They are not final solutions. Modification requires creativity and insight.

- Simplify complex steps

- Add relevant stages

- Remove redundant elements

- Integrate organizational knowledge

Simplification aids comprehension. Addition fills in gaps. Removal concentrates efforts. Integration leverages internal wisdom.

Case-by-Case Approach

Each problem is distinct. Solutions must reflect that uniqueness. Customize techniques for each challenge. This demands flexibility and responsiveness.

- Analyze individually

- Customize meticulously

- Apply selectively

Individual analysis ensures attention to detail. Meticulous customization ensures precision. Selective application promises relevance.

Involving Stakeholders

Stakeholders provide valuable insights. Their involvement is crucial. They inform customization processes. Their perspectives often highlight otherwise hidden nuances.

- Collaborate with teams

- Seek diverse opinions

- Incorporate feedback

Collaboration fosters understanding. Seeking diverse opinions enhances creativity. Incorporating feedback refines the approach.

Reflecting on Effectiveness

Effectiveness measurement is indispensable. It confirms whether the customization is successful. Feedback loops prompt continuous improvement.

- Set measurable goals

- Monitor progress

- Adjust as necessary

Setting goals provides direction. Monitoring progress tracks success. Adjusting ensures ongoing relevance.

Customizing problem analysis techniques is vital. It acknowledges that organizations are not monolithic. Tailoring these techniques to fit specific contexts is a dynamic process. It requires insight, creativity, and adaptability. Through such customization, organizations enhance problem-solving capabilities. They become more resilient and equipped to tackle unique challenges effectively.

He is a content producer who specializes in blog content. He has a master's degree in business administration and he lives in the Netherlands.

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