Complex problem-solving skills are some of the most highly sought after competencies in the business world. Complex problem solving involves the ability to solve hard to define issues that often occur in a highly dynamic context or in an environment of significant uncertainty.
While there is no specific methodology for solving every complex problem, you can use the sequence below to make many complex problems manageable and ultimately solvable.
Follow the 7 Problem-Solving Skills To Improve Your Business and Make You Meet Your Target Audience.
- Identify and Categorize Complex problem
To become a habitual and instinctive problem solver, you need to develop a way to understand the type of problem you are dealing with quickly. Complex problems may be made up of many interdependent, dynamic and diverse variables. They are often immensely tricky to frame in a way that neatly defines their boundaries.
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Usually, the way across this challenge is to examine the “big picture” of the issues at stake. Find a way to model or map the “biggest” problem you are faced with as a method for bringing definition to the problem.
- Select Appropriate Research Sources
From the big picture, make some assumptions about the system represented by the complex problem solving a challenge. After you have done this, you will have to research information to dig up more ideas, frame your assumptions, and give yourself some options. Identify where the information you need might be obtained.
- Research the Information
Decide what resources might hold useful information. Think of the people who may be able to help you frame the problem, confirm your assumptions and provide you with the relevant information you need.
- Develop Options
Use the information you get to develop alternatives and options that can be explored and analyzed. The quality of the options you come up with will only be as good as the quality of information you generate from your research.
In complex problem-solving, your approach to developing action alternatives can be quite varied. One way is the “Edisonian method” in which the inventor went through an unbounded number of potential options in a linear fashion until something clicked.
- Evaluate Options
The next step in the process is to evaluate the options that you have generated to decide on an action. There are multitudes of analytical tools available to decision-makers to help with this sort of evaluation. Here is where you can use well-developed problem-solving techniques to get a handle on the problem
- Make Decision And Take Action
One of the challenges of complex problem solving is the emotional challenge involved in the decision-making process. It takes a flexible mindset to make decisions in the face of some uncertainty. Developing the aptitude of taking action amid incomplete information can help to prepare you for more challenging decision making contexts.
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- Monitor Results and Make Adjustments
You must monitor the results of the decisions you have taken to solve a complex problem. Determining measurements for truly complex problems can be a challenging undertaking. Nonetheless, by tracing a line between the assumptions of your model and the results you observe from your solution, you can determine where adjustments should be made (if they are found to be necessary).
However, problem solving skills are not only applicable to business but rather it helps in the place of work. Below are the problem solving skills you should emulate in your place of work.
7 Problem Solving Skill to Learn While Working With Co-worker
Running into some problems with your co-workers lately, but do not know how to deal with them?
Everyone needs good relationship advice once in a while.
Whether you are in a large group working on a complicated project or merely collaborating with your co-worker, you might reach a point sometimes when problem-solving skills are needed.
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Consider these seven helpful relationship tips to stay on top of the game at work and keep a healthy and friendly rapport with all your co-workers.
- Keep It, Professional
Be always polite, courteous and considerate of other people’s feelings.
Do not take work problems and disagreements personally.
- Always Stay Calm
No matter what is going on at work, don’t lash out at co-workers. Do not approach conflict situations with an aggressive and confrontational style.
Never make your decisions based on anger, anxiety or frustration. Take a time-out and express your feelings and emotions by writing them down or talking to a friend.
- Pay Close Attention
Listen to and respect other co-worker’s opinions. Be always polite and use the language that reduces defensiveness.
- Make a Plan that Works
Evaluate the situation from all sides, weigh all your options and search for many alternative solutions. Use the collaborative and creative problem-solving skills that you learnt over the years.
Ask yourself a question: “What have I done in the past in a similar situation and how well has that worked?”
Even if your solution to the problem has worked the way you wanted it to in the past, try to think of other solutions that might work better this time. Then write down a list of possible options and implement the best alternative there is.
Make your action plan and prioritize what needs to be done.
- Negotiate Fairly
Present all the facts and information while discussing potential actions and alternative decisions. Mentally prepare yourself to be willing to cooperate and compromise. Ask the same favour of others.
Trying to solve problems with co-workers is never an easy task, and it might take more than one solution before something works.
- Build a Strong Rapport with Your Team
Gather all the people necessary to carry out the solution and appoint a leader who has decision-making authority. Give your best effort to implementing the solution to the problem and do it whole-heartedly.
Follow up regularly and see if your solution to the problem was effective. Make changes if necessary.
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- Use Humor as a Powerful Tool
Use your sense of humour whenever you can to break the ice. A funny joke here and there, some bonding time with co-workers like team building events, can help to deal with some stressful situations.
Practice this problem solving skills every time you need it and remember:
“The important thing about a problem is not its solution, but the strength we gain in finding the solution”.
Hopefully, these relationship tips will help you to establish a great and healthy relationship with your co-workers.
