2. The Kolb Model
• David A. Kolb developed a model of problem-
solving that is a dialectical process.
• It’s designed to avoid making the mistake of
failing to see potential opportunities in
problems
• this failure happens when the problem is not
completely analyzed at every step of a process
• It is based upon his theory of experiential
learning and consists of four analytical stages
3. 4 Stages
• First Stage – Situation Analysis
– Corresponds to concrete experience
– it asked the question:
• what’s the most important problem
• in other words, do I really understand what the issues
are?
4. • Second Stage: Problem Analysis
– This is about reflective observation
– it asked the question -- what are the causes of
the problem?
– and deals with:
• information gathering
• problem definition
– is that place where everyone needs to be on the
same page and yet has freedom to explore what is
really going on
5. • Stage Three – Solution Analysis
– This is the place to abstract conceptualization
– the question is asked: what’s the best solution?
– it is about –
• idea getting
• and decision-making
6. • Fourth Stage – Implementation Analysis
– At this stage there is active experimentation
– the question is asked: how do we implement the
solution
• will this be easy to implement or difficult
• is there a low payoff or a big payoff
• can we anticipate the consequences
• have we identified key individuals who have expertise
• if key individuals are not involved in the problem-
solving do they have different solutions
7. Reality
• Experienced managers tend to follow a similar
sequence
• what sets this model apart is the call to attempt
to completely analyze each step
– significant energy is devoted to each stage
– time and energy avoid the problem of solving the
wrong problem
– effort can avoid the treatment of symptoms rather
than cause
– complete analysis can avoid firefighting following a
solution
