"Presentation on Problem Solving skills. Learn ways to improve Problem Solving skills. These PDF's are available for all VEDA Students for free on www.veda-edu.com"

1. Building Leadership Skills:
Problem-Solving
and Decision-Making

2. Not All Decisions Require
Equal Attention

3. Decision Insurance
1. Define the problem
2. Gather additional data
3. Lay it all out
4. Identify your options
5. Evaluate your options
6. Make your decision
7. Move forward

4. Step #1:
Define the Problem
 What?
 Where?
 How?
 When?
 With whom?
 Why?

5. For a Complex Problem
 Break it down
 Verify with others
 Prioritize

6. Describe the Desired Outcome(s)
Define the
solved state:
Here’s what
should be
happening…

7. Identify Specific,
Measurable Goals
What are we trying to
 Achieve?
 Preserve?
 Avoid?
 Eliminate?

8. Link Back to the Big Picture
Make sure your
desired outcomes
align clearly with
the library’s
mission and
strategic plan

9. Reality Check:
Decision Politics
 Who are the stakeholders in this
situation?
 What will they need to get out of any
decision?
 How and when should they participate
in finding a solution?

10. Step #2:
Gather Additional Data
 Broad
 Objective
 Verifiable
 Relevant

11. Beware
 Hearsay/rumor
 Opinion
 Wishful thinking
 Labeling the problem
 Blaming/scapegoating
 Vivid but minor evidence

12. Look Outside the Library
as Well as In

13. Don’t Overlook
 Your own beliefs and biases
 Your own (possible) role in the
situation

14. How Much Information Is
Enough?

15. Just Be Sure You
Cover the Bases
 Bouncing around
is natural
 More information
may accrue over
time

16. Step #3:
Lay It All Out

17. Pareto Analysis
 “80/20 rule”
 Focus on
numerical data
 Use to identify
which situations
are most common

18. Mind Mapping
 Free-form note taking
 Any kind of information
 Use to show how different facts relate
to the problem
and to each other

19. Look into Causes
but Don’t Bog Down
 Not all problems are “caused”
 Not all causes can be corrected
Ask for input – one person at a time.

20. The Un-Problem:
Appreciative Inquiry
 Systematic discovery of the best in
people and organizations
 Unconditional positive questions
 Directed conversation and storytelling
 What is working well?
 How can we do more of that?

21. Step #4:
Identify Your Options
 What options do we
have?
 What has been done
in other libraries?
 In other disciplines?
 How about
something new?

22. Situation:
Something’s Gone Wrong
 Find and correct the changes that
account for the fall-off in results.

23. Situation:
Increased – or Changing –
Expectations
 Find new ways of operating.

24. Situation:
The Double Whammy
 Find ways to reengineer the system –
correct and invent.

25. Situation:
It Never Did Work Right
 Find ways to overhaul – or completely
rebuild.

26. Things That Can
Limit Your Thinking
 Searching for THE ONE RIGHT ANSWER
 Not involving front line people
 Looking inside the library only
 Waiting for 100% agreement
 Fear of embarrassment or failure

27. Be Sure to Include
 Current approach
 Something new
 Something fun

28. Step #5:
Evaluate Your Options

29. Check Sheet
Option
1
Option
2
Option
3
Option
4
Desired
Outcome
 
Desired
Outcome

Desired
Outcome

Desired
Outcome
  

30. SWOT:
Strengths – Weaknesses –
Opportunities – Threats
PMI:
Plus – Minus - Interesting

31. Six Thinking Hats

32. Think Through
Risks and Consequences
 Reversible?
 Pilot-able?
 Timely?
 Politically sensitive?

33. Special Challenges in Many
Library Environments
 Perfectionism
 Catastrophizing
 Mixed feelings
about success

34. Step #6:
Make Your Decision

35. Reality Check:
Strategic Thinking
 How might this decision change the
library’s position or reputation?
 Will it set the stage or define a pattern for
future decisions?
 Do library stakeholders need a heads-up?
 Who will get credit if things turn out well?

36. Take Time to Write a Brief
Summary of Your Process

37. Step #7:
Move Forward
 Communicate the decision/solution
 Plan the implementation
 Monitor results
 Learn as you go

38. When Things Go Wrong
 Work each problem
 Re-prioritize if
necessary
 Maintain focus on
desired outcomes
 After a fair trial, change
options