An interesting quote states “Life without problems is a school without lessons.”
Whatever we do in life, problems are bound to arise from time to time. Companies of various sizes across many fields encounter many such problems daily.
Issues such as customer retention, economic downturns, sales drops, threatening competition, customer complaints and a host of other issues threaten the revenues and sustainability of companies.
As such, problem-solving has evolved to be a superpower that employs the physical intellectual and emotional faculties of the human mind to make sense of what is happening and generate appropriate solutions.
However, this is a process with distinctive steps that requires the various skills outlined below:
Problem Recognition
Ignored problems do not get solved. Before any action can be taken, it is important to identify the nature of the problem and its implications. Doing so, will ultimately decide what skills are needed and what strategy should be adopted.
Recognising a problem requires the ability to think critically to internally process the problem. What happened? How did this happen? Why did this happen? What does this mean for my business? Are there financial or legal implications involved? How can this be fixed?
This stage initiates the cycle for the problem to be solved. To recognise the issue at hand and begin thinking of the cause and effect of it lays the foundation for a strategy to be developed that will ultimately solve the problem.
Planning and strategizing of goals
Solving a problem requires goals. Goals will guide the team towards the outcome they have to achieve and will illustrate distinctly to everyone involved what solution we are working towards and why. This stage of the problem-solving process calls for teamworking and collaboration skills. A problem can only be solved if the persons involved are working on the same wavelength and focus.
Seeking alternative solutions
Sometimes solutions require unprecedented actions or trying a new system or approach. This demands that professionals adopt creative, out-of-the-box thinking when brainstorming as a team to identify ways problems can be solved in the most cost-effective and timely manner.
Finding new solutions also require new knowledge. During the problem-solving process, research skills are critical when it comes to sourcing new and innovative methods to alleviate the problem. Research enables new methodologies, concepts, equipment, software or human talent to be sourced and possibly utilised towards the goals outlined.
Communication is also an integral part of solution finding because ideas have to be articulated and shared. An idea will only be invested in once it is clearly stated how this option is the best possible solution to the problem we’re facing and how exactly, it is going to address it and prevent it from occurring in the future.
Additionally, any problem-solving process that requires teamwork and collaboration demands effective communication to ensure that everyone is working as they should, and aware of what needs to be done.
Implementation of solutions
Active execution of ideas and plan requires intensive management skills to achieve the goals that were set. Management skills are also required to ensure that the strategy is being carried out accordingly to plan, time and budget.
Budgeting and time management skills are crucial to prevent the wastage of resources. With a team effort, there must be a high level of project management skills, to successfully manage team members and work schedules. With organising and managing people, conflict resolutions skills are also valuable to maintain work harmony and not jeopardise the achievement of the problem-solving goals.
Evaluation of the solutions
The final stage of the problem-solving process involves evaluation of the solutions against the desired goals. Were solutions implemented according to schedule and budget? Has it been completed? Has the problem been resolved? Are things working back to normal? Or, what needs to be done further?
Evaluating the problem solution requires assessing risk – is the problem likely to occur again? Additionally, reliable information management is essential to generate and share with team members across the board. Information will notify the team of the quality of work performed and were the objectives achieved. This information can also be stored for future reference.
How to improve problem-solving skills in the workplace?
Implement a problem-solving strategy
Effective problem-solving in the workplace demands a strategic and effective step-by-step approach. Team talent can use this system to provide solutions to challenges based on their unique skills and strengths.
A workplace problem-solving strategy encompasses defining the problem, collecting relevant information about it and establishing set objectives to be met. Creative brainstorming and researching finds the best contemporary solutions. Solid project management skills will ensure these solutions get implemented in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. Finally, it is critical to evaluate your outcome – was it a success? If not, what alternatives can be developed to solve the problem?
Employee Skill Training
An essential component of an effective problem-solving system is the skills required by staff. Problem-solving demands active capabilities in planning, research, time management, budgeting, communication as well as risk and data management. Therefore, is important that appropriate training be performed to equip staff with the necessary skills to navigate throughout the problem-solving system.
Outsourcing
However, depending on the size of your company and labour force, you do not have to do this alone. Small firms may not have the resources to handle challenges of higher complexities. As such, your problem-solving capability as a small business owner or entrepreneur can be upgraded through outsourcing. With multiple agencies and firms throughout Trinidad & Tobago specialising in accounting, human resource solutions, marketing, training and consultancy, you can outsource the skills you need and recruit expert assistance towards solving problems.
Including problem-solving skills on your CV
As illustrated, problem-solving is an essential 21st century skill and must be capitalised in concise, concrete examples within your CV to market yourself as a valuable candidate.
Think of different challenges and situations in your past work, school or volunteer experiences that you’ve fixed. Detail specifically in the work experience section of your CV, the issue. What skills did you use to come up with a solution? What positive impacts were made to the organisation as a result of your solutions?
Once you can clearly show applied knowledge and actionable solutions you executed, it demonstrates to potential employers that you are a worthwhile resource that could be a valuable asset to their problem-solving process.
