How to Solve Complex Problems Practically

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Creative Problem Solving for Business - http://metabiz.com.au Sometimes business owners get caught up in day to day operations and allow opportunities to pass them by. Developing new ways of solving problems can help you identify innovative solutions to save you time and money. This webinar will introduce quick and easy problem solving techniques that emphasise creative thinking and highlighting opportunity. Topics this interactive webinar will cover: • Five whys - quick and easy root cause assessment • Fish bones and other diagrams to create creative solutions • Using root cause analysis to develop amazing innovation • How to know if you are thinking inside or outside of the box

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Problem Solving

Simon Maselli General Manager

Metamorph Consulting Group

Metamorph Consulting Group

Practical Training and Advice

Today’s Presenter: Simon Maselli

Simon Maselli

Today, our topic is focussed on solving: !

difficult problems.

Problem Solving

Intransparency (lack of clarity of the situation)

Polytely (multiple goals)

Complexity (large numbers of items, interrelations and decisions)

Dynamics (time considerations)

Characteristics of Difficult Problems

Abstraction - solving the problem in a model of the system before applying it to the real system

Analogy - using a solution that solves an analogous problem

Brainstorming - suggesting a large number of solutions or ideas and combining and

developing them until an optimum solution is found

Divide and conquer - breaking down a large, complex problem into smaller, solvable problems

Problem Solving Strategies

APS - Applied Problem Solving

GROW Model

OODA loop - (observe, orient, decide and act)

PDCA (plan-do-check-act)

RPR Problem Diagnosis

Problem Solving Methodologies

5 Whys

fishbone (or Ishikawa) diagram

Root Cause Analysis Tools

The primary goal of the technique is to determine the root cause of a problem

5 Whys

5 is derived from the observation on the number of iterations typically needed to resolve the problem

5 Whys - Example

The Vehicle will not start

WHY? - The battery is dead (1st Why)

WHY? - The alternator is not charging (2nd Why)

WHY? - The belt has broken (3rd Why)

WHY? - The belt has gone beyond it’s recommended service life & not replaced (4th Why)

WHY? - The Vehicle was not maintained to the recommended service schedule (5th Why)

5 Whys - Example

The System is not perfect

Teruyuki Minoura

5 Whys - Criticism

Other Names:-

fishbone diagram

herringbone diagram

cause-and-effect diagram

Ishikawa diagram

Commonly used for product design and quality defect prevention.

!

“To identify potential factors causing an overall effect”

What is it’s intention?

Major Categories

!

People - Method - Machines - Materials Measurements - Environment

Major Categories

Fishbone Explained

Problem xxx (Effect)

People

Methods

Machines

Materials Measurements

Environment

Primary Cause

Secondary Cause

The System is not perfect

Necessary vs. Sufficient Conditions

Fishbone - Criticism

Streamlined Approach.

Technically is not Correct

Gets Results

Practical Problem Solving

Problem: John (our customer) has complained that his delivery never arrived….

Putting it All Together - Example

1. Gather Facts

Ensure you gather only facts. Ensure you differentiate between fact and opinion.

Solving Complex Problems

“Common barriers to problem solving are mental constructs that impede our ability to correctly solve problems. These barriers prevent people from solving problems in the most efficient manner possible.”

Confirmation Bias

Mental Set

Functional Fixedness

Unnecessary Constraints

Irrelevant Information

Common Barriers to Problem Solving

Facts: Johns delivery never arrived….

Driver Was Questioned and Confirmed the package left the dispatch. His log is complete and the ledger indicates he dropped the package at 1pm. The sent items where cross referenced with the original order

and dispatch log.

Compare with Facts

2. Brainstorm to Complete Fishbone

Only want high level Problems at this stage.

Solving Complex Problems

Brainstorm - Primary Causes

Delivery Didn’t Arrive

People

Methods

Machines

Materials Measurements

Environment

Wrong Address written on

package label

Driver Got Sick

Van Broke Down on the way

Blizzard

Fire

Wrong Items

DeliveredItem arrived

but not checked in

Dispatch sabotaged package

Van Crashed

Arrived but package was late

(after Call) Order not Recorded in system

3. Eliminate Incongruence

Cross out the Incongruence between items on the Fishbone Diagram and what the facts tell us.

Keep these Items for Later Opportunity

Solving Complex Problems

Eliminate Obvious Incongruence

Delivery Didn’t Arrive

People

Methods

Machines

Materials Measurements

Environment

Wrong Address

Driver Got Sick

Van Broke Down on

wayBlizzard

Fire

Wrong Items Item arrived but

not checked in by client

Dispatch sabotaged

orderVan

Crashed

Arrived but later then client expected Order not

Recorded in the System

Arrived but later then client expected.

Why? Customer Didn’t know what time to expect order

Why? Sales Rep Didn’t inform Customer of Time

Why? He Forgot to Tell the Customer

Why? There is no Procedure to Follow

Why? A procedure hasn’t been created

Drill Down With 5 Whys

Eliminate Obvious Incongruence

Delivery Didn’t Arrive

People

Methods

Machines

Materials Measurements

Environment

Wrong Address

Driver Got Sick

Van Broke Down on

wayBlizzard

Fire

Wrong Items

Item arrived but not checked in by

client

Dispatch sabotaged

orderVan

Crashed

Arrived but later then client expected Order not

Recorded in the System

Procedure hasn’t been created

Repeat for Each Cause that “could” be a potential Failure Mode

These are opportunities

!

Expect it to be more complex

Developing Solutions: Innovation (YouTube)

What we haven’t discussed

www.metamorphcg.com.au

1300 916 082

Social Media #METABIZ

How to Get More Information

Questions

Simon Maselli General Manager

Metamorph Consulting Group

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