Notes

Outline

"What's the Problem?"

What’s a ‘problem’? A problem is a difference between things as desired and things as perceived.

Our problem is...

What We’re Gonna Do Today Rants & General Overview Heuristics Problem Definition Present State / Desired State Method Patterns of Thinking Duncker Diagram Theory of Constraints TRIZ Summary

Problem Sensing If you feel there’s a problem - there’s a problem. Don’t take someone’s solution for a problem definition. The trickiest part of certain problems is just recognizing their existence. People are so adaptable - we’ll put up with almost any problem - until it comes to our consciousness that it doesn’t have to be that way. If a person is in a position to do something about a problem, but doesn’t have the problem, then do something so he or she does. Be aware that, in the final analysis, not too many people really want their problems solved. (Look at your own organizations’ efforts that end in failure or dissatisfied clients.) Determine what the consequences are of not solving the problem. Each problem is unique. Each context has its own needs.

Where do we begin?

A Heuristic Heuristic: a procedure that provides aid or direction in the solution of a problem.

FYI - There’s lots of Heuristics Breakthrough Thinking Lateral Thinking Kepner-Tregoe Coca-Cola Creative Problem Solving Theory of Constraints TRIZ ..and many, many more.

Attitude Problem... Have you heard the old saying, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”? Many, including Edward de Bono, claim this attitude reflected by this statement was largely responsible for the decline of American industry. American managers operated in a strictly reactive mode, merely responding to problems as they arose.

Define The Problem Our focus today is on Problem Definition

Problem Definition Where did the problem come from? What is the purpose of solving the problem? State the problem. Collect and analyze information. Talk with people familiar with the problem. If possible, view the problem first hand (enter the context). Confirm all findings. Determine if the problem should be solved.

Control Yourself and the Team Start with an open mind. Don’t jump to conclusions. Look at the BIG picture. Review the obvious.

Present State / Desired State Example In a war a number of aircraft were shot down while engaging in bombing missions. Many of the planes that made it back to base were riddled with bullet holes. The damaged areas were similar on each plane. The instruction that was given to solve the perceived problem was: “Reinforce these damaged areas with thicker armor plating.”

Present State / Desired State

Present State / Desired State cont.

Patterns of Thinking Our minds are consummate pattern matching machines.

Patterns of Thinking

Discovering Patterns

Problem Solving Blocks Perceptual Blocks Stereotyping Limiting the problem unnecessarily Saturation of information overload Emotional Blocks Fear of risk taking Lack of appetite for chaos Judging rather than generating ideas Cultural & Environmental Blocks Cultural or environmental constraints May cause displeasure to certain members of society Intellectual & Expressive Blocks Inability to focus and gather information Inability to communicate ideas

The Nine Dot Problem

More on Patterns of Thinking Solving problems is, sometimes, not logical (at least, based upon our patterns).. ..because logic may be woven with blocks, e.g. an emotional block or a cultural block. Fear of risk-taking paralyzes creativity.

Another Problem Definition Tool

Duncker Diagram Example

Cereal Problem Defined

Theory of Constraints

Systems as Chains

Undesirable Effects & Core Problems

TOC’s Five Focusing Steps

TOC Logic-Tree Thinking Processes

Current Reality Logic Tree

Evaporating Cloud (Conflict Resolution)

Evaporating Cloud (Conflict Resolution) Example

TRIZ (pronounced “treez”)

TRIZ - Methods

TRIZ - Do It Inversely

TRIZ - Change the State of the Physical Property

TRIZ - Do It In Advance

TRIZ - continued

What’s the Problem? Problem-solving skills are not applied in the real world often  enough. This is evident by the sheer number of project failures, particularly in the requirements and software development realm. Using any heuristic for solving a problem is better than using none, yet we often use none. There are techniques, as demonstrated in this discussion that will help you, your team, and your organization to solve the right problem to save dollars and time.

References