2. Faced with a problem
• get afraid or uncomfortable and wish it
would go away
• feel that they have to come up with an
answer and it has to be the right answer
• look for someone to blame
Maksym Dovgopolyi
3. Being faced with a problem
becomes a problem
• it has to be solved and we're not sure
how to find the best solution
• there will probably be conflicts about
what the best solution is
Maksym Dovgopolyi
4. Look out!
• The most common mistake in problem
solving is trying to find a solution right
away
• That's a mistake because it tries to put
the solution at the beginning of the
process, when what we need is a solution
at the end of the process.
Maksym Dovgopolyi
5. 6 steps of problem-solving
process
1. Problem definition
• Be clear about what the problem is;
• How is the current situation
different from what I actually want
it to be?
• What do I actually want, or how do I
actually want things to be?
• What is preventing me/team from
achieving my goals?
Maksym Dovgopolyi
6. 6 steps of problem-solving
process
2. Problem Analysis
• How is this problem affecting me?
• How is this problem affecting
project team?
• How is this problem affecting
current task and project overall?
• Who else is experiencing this
problem?
• What is preventing me from
achieving goals?
Maksym Dovgopolyi
7. 6 steps of problem-solving
process
3. Generate possible solutions
• Analogy: using a solution that solved
an analogous problem;
• Brainstorming;
• Reduction: transforming the problem
into another problem for which
solutions exist;
• Research;
• Divide and conquer: breaking down a
large, complex problem into smaller,
solvable problems;
• Root cause analysis.
Maksym Dovgopolyi
8. 6 steps of problem-solving
process
4. Analyze Solutions
• Is it relevant to my situation?
• Is it realistic?
• Is it manageable?
• What are the consequences – both
good and bad?
• What is the likelihood that it is going
to help me reach my goal?
Maksym Dovgopolyi
9. 6 steps of problem-solving
process
5. Select an option or options
• How effective is the solution?
• Did it achieve what is required?
• What consequences (good and bad)
did it have in my situation?
Maksym Dovgopolyi
10. 6 steps of problem-solving
process
6. Implementation
• Define affection on the Project
(Sprint time, resources);
• Document the agreement (Jira);
• Monitor compliance and follow-
through.
Maksym Dovgopolyi
11. Problem-solving is a cycle
researcher Effective
Issue possible solutions Solution
evaluate
Maksym Dovgopolyi
13. Links
Links
Effective Problem Solving in the Workplace
http://www.mediate.com/articles/thicks.cfm
Problem Solving Strategies
http://www.lorainccc.edu/current+students/advising+and+counseling/counseling/problem+solving.htm
Problem solving
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_solving
Maksym Dovgopolyi
