Problem Solving

Problem Solving – An Approach

Fraser Shaw Consulting, 1990

STEP 1

The effectiveness of the Board of Directors

The delivery of the coaching development program

The management of the fund-raising program

The role of the staff in the organization

Naming the Mess

STEP 2

Who sees this situation as a problem?

Who is affected by the problem?

Who can provide information that will help in considering the problem? What information do they have?

Drawing the Map

STEP 2

What factors are present that affect the problem? (e.g. values, attitudes, history people, priorities)

What people, groups or organizations make decisions that affect the problem situation? What decisions have they made that affect the problem?

Drawing the Map continued

ProblemLabel

4. What information do they have?

1. Who sees this as a problem?

2. Who is affected by the problem? 3. Who can provide

information?

7. What decisions have they made?

6. Who makes the decisions that affect the problem? 5. What factors affect

the problem?

STEP 3

Finding the problem

Why is this happening?

STEP 4

Generating The Ideas.

• Brainstorming

• Stacking

• Analogies

• “What if…?”

STEP 5

WHAT FORCES AFFECT THIS ALTERNATIVE?

IS THIS ALTERNATIVE WITHIN OUR CONTROL?

Choosing the Solution

STEP 5

What steps must we take to reduce or eliminate the resisting forces that we have identified?

What steps do we take to transform a resisting force into a supporting force?

What uncontrollable elements can we influence or change?

What controllable elements can we exploit?

Choosing the Solution - Continued

STEP 6

Who will support the solution and implementation plan?

Who will see the proposed solution as an opportunity for the organization?

How can the group take advantage of this support?

SEEKING THE APPROVALDeveloping an approval strategy.

STEP 6

Who will resist the solution and the implementation plan?

Who will see the proposed solution as a threat to themselves or the organization?

How can the group win over those who will resist the proposed solution?

SEEKING THE APPROVALDeveloping an approval strategy

(cont).

STEP 7

Make sure that the problem-solving group thoroughly worked through the approval step.

Assign the task of solving the problem to the appropriate part of the organization’s structure.

Ensure that the implementation group regularly monitors the implementation plan.

SOLVING THE PROBLEM!