For most of the business owners and leaders I know, at the moment there are more than enough problems to be solved. So today I thought I might share a simple but very practical process for problem solving. 
There are lots of different approaches to problem-solving out there, and there’s no one right way to go about the process.
But problems tend to multiply if they are avoided or ignored, and spending disproportionate time choosing between different problem solving methods is usually a waste of time.
So let’s start with a simple problem solving process that will help you to move forward quickly and surely.
Knowing a quick and easy process for dealing with problems as you encounter them can be particularly helpful when the problems seem overwhelming and never-ending.
Step 1 – Understand the Problem
In order to get started on the right foot, you must first be sure you understand the problem you’re facing. When you are suddenly facing a crisis, challenge or difficult situation, it’s easy to misinterpret things and to find yourself chasing an issue that isn’t truly relevant.
A bit of analysis and thought will save you time and frustration in the long run.
Rather than allow the problem to exist as a vague idea in your mind, it’s best to work it out on paper. Jot down some ideas about
- what the issue at hand may be,
- how it started,
- who is involved and
- what the primary negative effects of the situation may be.
These notes will get you thinking in the right direction toward narrowing down and defining your problem. Through this step, you’ll be able to hone in on the main issue so that you can postpone any side problems for later. You don’t want to allow less important issues distract you.
After you’ve done this spend a few minutes thinking about whether there could be any positive outcomes from this problem. I can understand if you feel resistant to this, but if you allow your mind to think this way for a few minutes, you may discover some amazing opportunities.
Step 2 – Brainstorm Solutions
This next step involves using your creativity to generate a list of possible solutions. At this time, it’s not important to analyse or judge these ideas. Simply get as many of them as possible out of your head and onto paper.
Who knows what ideas might actually work once you’re able to add analysis and planning to the mix? The purpose here is to generate as many solutions as possible without dismissing anything.
Step 3 – Analyse Your Possible Solutions
Here’s where the analysis comes into play. This is the step where you get to play detective and to employ your critical thinking skills.
Consider the pros and cons of each idea you generated. Be sure to take all circumstances into consideration, along with any other relevant criteria. Not every solution will work in every situation.
Consider your current life circumstances and how the proposed solution might evolve within this context.
Think about any opportunities you identified. Should you be pivoting to something quite new, or do you need to modify or improve on something you were previously doing?
This part of the problem-solving process allows you to see which solutions might actually have promise and set aside those which might not.
Through analysis, you might find that some ideas you would have once ruled out actually have potential under certain conditions, and you can feel more confident in giving them a try.
Step 4 – Choose Your Path Forward
The last step of this problem solving process is to actually choose and test your solutions.
Take a look at all the ideas that remain from your analysing activity. Then rate those from most likely to be effective to the least.
Maybe one solution stands apart from all the rest. If that’s the case you now know exactly what to do next!
If you have a cluster of possible solutions that could all be effective, rate them from easiest to implement to hardest. It makes sense to start with the easiest, most effective solution.
So, give your first idea a try. If it doesn’t work, you can either tweak it a bit by making adjustments or scrap it completely and move on to give your second possible solution a try.
Revision and revisiting may be required. It can also help to talk through your process with a trusted advisor or coach. (You can find details about our coaching services here.)
But you now have a very basic problem solving process that should suffice when difficult situations abound in your business or team.
By implementing this method regularly, you’ll start to get a feel for what works and what doesn’t. You’ll soon begin using this strategy in your business and life automatically, leading you to feel much more confident in developing sound solutions to challenging problems.
Let me know how you get on in the comments below. Kind regards, Kerrie
