7/28/2019 Six Step Prob Solv Mod With Pic

1/3

Six Step Problem Solving Model

1. Mind-set

2. Problem Definition

3. Solution Criteria

4. Possible Solutions

5. Solution Choice

6. Implement

1. Mind-Set

You do not deal with the problem or decision itself. Rather, you concern yourself with

how you think about the decision/problem and with the context of the problem or

decision situation.

Thinking about problems opportunitieschallenges;

SITNA-situation that needs attention

Organizational context circumstances and setting of the decision or problem;

consider if organization has clear vision and mission; state of organization alenvironment (trust?)

Decision Making context parameters such as resources (people money,

facilities and time); need to know the givens

People context stakeholders; individual attitudes biases, skills, and

knowledge

2. Problem Definition

Outcome of the problem definition step is a clear, specific statement of the problem with

which everyone involved agrees. There is a clear understanding of the problem by all the

stakeholders.Four categories of problems:

Short-Fall something is out of whack or not up to your expectations. You

are reacting to a situation. Corrective action is required to reestablish someprevious condition.

Opportunity something has occurred that provides you an opportunity for

growth and change if you can take advantage of the situation.

Improvement you simply want to improve what you are doing or to

reengineer the way the organization is doing something.

New Venture you want to move into the unknown. This is a new venture

for the organization; one never done before.

7/28/2019 Six Step Prob Solv Mod With Pic

2/3

3. Solution Criteria

Focus attention on the solution criteria. This defines the parameters of what you want any

solution to look like, and how you will know that you have a good solution. This provides a

vehicle to evaluate and combine possible solutions and helps you prevent the hardening of

positions. Understand needs vs. wants. Aneed

is a criterion that the solution MUST meet.A want is criterion that the solution SHOULD meet. A third category could include NICE-

TOOSthings that if the solution could meet it would be nice or serendipitous.

4. Possible Solutions

Generate as many possible solutions as you can. Be creative. In the complex world of rapid

change good solutions are often derived by combining parts of a number of ideas and by

building on them.

Generate

Clarify

Combine Document them

5. Solution Choice

This step brings together your solution criteria and your documented list of possible solutions

so that you can choose from among them or build a new solution by combining elements ofseveral. Dont votework at it until you have consensus.

Consensus means that everyone substantially agreesunderstands and can state the

problem; has been heard and agrees they have been heard; agrees to support thesolution whether they agree with it or not.

Deciding start by prioritizing the choices; evaluate each of the possible solutionsusing your solution criteria. Your best solutions satisfy all of your needs, meet the

most wants, and have the least consequences.

No Viable SolutionStart by reviewing those that fit best. You may be able to

build a new solution that meets all of your needs by combining parts of several

possible solutions. Dont fall into the trap of changing your criteria to fit the

solutions.

6. Implementation

Implementation has three distinct sub-stepsPlanning, Doing, and Inspecting.

Planning involves action planning. Doing and Inspecting are the carrying out of the action

plan.

EVALUATIONREVISIONRENEWAL

7/28/2019 Six Step Prob Solv Mod With Pic

3/3

Bearley, William, Corkrum, Sharon, and Harvey, Thomas. The Practical Decision Maker: A Handbookfor

Decision Making and Problem Solving in Organizations; Maryland, The Scarecrow Press, 1997.