What are the most common mistakes to avoid during problem solving?

Para resolver un problema, debemos dejar lo que sabemos en la puerta y abrir la mente a otras posibilidades. Una mente abierta da paso a la creatividad y a echar a andar el pensamiento divergente. De muchas ideas "locas" han salido soluciones increíbles. En cambio, cuando solo se considera lo que ya se sabe y se asume que es tal o cual cosa, nos perdemos de buena parte de la observación, que trae consigo mejores opciones.

The problem is not with framing, but re-frameing. People just think that framing is a one-shot process - you frame the problem and try to solve it. However in real life, the problem is more iterative - At every step of the problem-solving process, you check back with the original problem frame. If the incremental step is congruent to the problem frame you move forward. If the problem frame and the incremental step are incongruent you fix one of them and move forward. This means that either you change the incremental step or the problem frame. And as you get better at problem-solving you are wary of the consecutive congruences. For me the steps are limited to 3 - If I see three consecutive congruences I assume something is missing!

I see this a lot. We often think we know the answer without truly analysing the issue. A great way to avoid this is to involve different people in the problem solving. Let them ask "silly questions"; these often aren't considered by "the experts". A new perspective may get everyone thinking from a different angle. This also helps to break down silos between different parts of the organisation, gives people a chance to learn and develop their career and expand their network. It's a win win!

Issues requiring a full problem solving session rarely have one issue identified, or one solution. If you leave the room with only one action, you should probably go back.

It is crucial to understand that implementing a solution isn't just a mechanical process; it requires a deeper understanding of the human element. Effective communication and stakeholder involvement are essential during the execution phase. By actively engaging team members and stakeholders, everyone can align with the goals and understand their roles in the implementation process. This collaborative approach not only improves the chances of success but also fosters a sense of ownership and commitment among those involved, ultimately leading to more effective problem-solving outcomes.

Encourage learning from mistakes. Management should understand that humans can make mistakes and encourage people to learn, document the experience and move forward. This will encourage the habit of "learning from experience".

Debate. Decide. Commit. Once you’ve debated and selected a solution, everyone should commit to its execution as if it were their own idea. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. Here’s an example I’ve seen happen about 100 times. You’re in a meeting where the leader shares a solution he/she wants executed, but not everyone agrees, and no one speaks up. Afterwards, some of those meeting participants engage in a “meeting after the meeting,” where people share their true feelings about the solution chosen, and start fueling doubts about the call made. That leads to half-hearted execution of the solution. Not helpful. So, it’s critical to encourage open debate, from ALL the stakeholders, then make the call, and ask everyone to commit to the decision.

In my opinion, effective problem-solving is vital for entrepreneurs. Try to Avoid these common pitfalls: 1. Rushing to Solutions: Take time to understand the problem. 2. Ignoring Data: Use data for informed decisions. 3. Fear of Failure: Embrace failure as a learning opportunity. 4. Diverse Perspectives: Seek different viewpoints to challenge assumptions. 5. Prioritizing Problems: Focus on high-impact issues. 6. Simple Solutions: Keep solutions straightforward. Do not over complicate. 7. Implementation: Monitor and adjust during execution. 8. Feedback: Don’t be closed minded. Be open to improvements and feedback from your team.