Post on 01-Nov-2014
description
CreateTheConditions.com iQuestinc.com
7 Steps to CollaborativeProblem Solving
Copyright 2009, 2010, 2011
You can’t solve problems with the same thinking that created them
Albert Einstein
Many companies patch the problem.
Many companies patch the problem.
Do you want to fix the problem, or create the conditions so that it won’t happen again?
Set the bar high
Create the conditions for your company to solve problems collaboratively
a. List everything you know and want to know about the problem
b. Agree on the critical objectives that a solution must achieve
Work together as a group to describe the problem
Prioritize all components of the problem by what you can impact
Components of the Problem (Examples)Ability to Impact
Inadequate market insights High
Poor training High
Procrastination High
Customer confusion High
Supplier billing system Medium
Data migration Medium
Parent company policy Low
Budget constraints Low
The economy Nil
Identify people who contribute knowledge, insights and ideas
Bright ideas come from using different techniques that get your people out of the box; for example…
Problem Collage Paste together visual images of the problem and potential solutions using pictures cut out of magazines
Worst to Best Imagine the worst possible things you could do to address the problem then flip those into positive solutions
Money Mania What would you do if you had $1 billion to solve the problem; what would you do if you only had $1?
Give your team permission to be creative
Use agreed upon criteria to prioritize ideas for development
Criteria that allows 50% of all your ideas to pass
Criteria that allows 50% of Gate One ideas to pass
Criteria that allows only 2-3 of Gate Two ideas to pass
i.e. Impact on problem and overall potential
i.e. Resources, capabilities and capacity
i.e. Speed to implementation and budget
1 2 3
• List information gaps and sources• Determine how the solution affects and is affected by
all stakeholders, departments and business dimensions• Leverage the broadest spectrum of your people as
possible to create company-wide ownership of the solution
• Establish a senior manager or executive responsible for removing hurdles
• Set milestone dates• Schedule regular meetings to navigate development
through to completion• Outline immediate next steps, dates, resources and
individual accountabilities
Create a comprehensive Project & Action Plan
Define
Expose
Converge
Inspire
Evaluate
Act
Evolve
Learn from the experience
Embed these steps in your corporate culture and create the conditions to solve problems collaboratively
Different thinking requiresdifferent people working together in different ways
That’s how you create the conditions for successful
problem solving
CreateTheConditions.com iQuestinc.com
Articles and presentations to inspire thinking and accelerate action
Morry Patokamorryp@iquestinc.com
I would really like to hear what you have to say.
Please visit createtheconditions.com to share your comments and questions.
If you’d like to generate or accelerate your strategy, please visit me at iquestinc.com.
Copyright 2009, 2010, 2011