We’ve all been in those tricky situations, where deadlines are looming, and everyone is looking to you for answers. In today’s fast-moving world, your ability to steer through disruptions and find solutions quickly is becoming ever more important. Here, you will learn 11 valuable problem-solving techniques and strategies to help guide you.
Problem-solving isn’t just reserved for a crisis—it’s something we deal with daily, whether it’s untangling a mess at work or figuring out why your home computer is acting up. And the reality is, honing these skills is more valuable than ever. Employers place huge value on a person who can work through problems efficiently while staying calm.
So, the big question is: how can you improve your problem-solving skills?
What Problem-Solving Skills Look Like
Before diving into all the problem-solving techniques and strategies, let’s define what problem-solving skills are. They can be broken down into four steps:
- Defining the issue – being crystal clear on what the problem is.
- Gathering and analysing data – getting the facts and understanding the situation.
- Brainstorming solutions – coming up with multiple ideas.
- Making informed decisions – choosing the best idea after evaluating the options.
Using this structured approach to problems can make the difference between a successfully handled situation and a complete mess.
A Toolkit for Problem-Solving Techniques and Strategies
When it comes to problem-solving techniques and strategies, there’s no one-size-fits-all method. Whereas some methods work better in teams, others may be more beneficial when working solo. The important thing is to find the right fit for the problem at hand, and what works with your personal style.
Here are 11 highly effective problem-solving techniques and strategies that you can choose from:
1. Ask Great Questions
Asking great questions lead to asking the right questions.
Brainstorming for thought-provoking questions is a powerful way to get to the heart of any issue. You need to dig deep, rather than just throwing questions out there. By challenging assumption and pushing for more clarity, you could uncover information you didn’t realise was relevant.
Consider questions that force you to think critically, and this will open new paths to solutions.
For example, instead of asking, “How did this happen?” try asking things like, “Why did this happen?” or “What would solve this issue once and for all?”
Think about what you already know. What else do you need to know? What are you hoping to learn? Be as inquisitive as you can and allow yourself to explore. Include open-ended questions, allowing the flexibility for detailed answers. Have follow-up questions to your initial questions, which can lead to the next technique (‘Five Whys.’)
2. The Five Whys Technique
This technique was created in the 1930s by a Japanese inventor, Sakichi Toyoda. He was the founder of Toyota, and the company still uses this technique today.
The ‘Five Whys’ technique is predominantly used to get to the root of an issue. You simply ask “why” five times, each time focusing on the response from the previous question.
For example, you have a customer who is upset about late deliveries. Instead of just apologising and moving on, ask, “Why was the delivery late?” If the answer relates to scheduling, ask, “Why was the scheduling off?”
Keep going with the questions to make sure you are identifying/fixing the real cause and not just putting a band aid on the symptoms. In a work environment, assemble a team of employees relevant to the issue so they can brainstorm the questions together and stay focused on the cause and solution.
You can view more information and case scenarios here.
3. Traditional Brainstorming
Of all the problem-solving techniques and strategies, this is the most common. But it’s simplicity is what makes it so effective. Brainstorming encourages everyone to throw ideas into the ring without judgment. The more ideas, the better. Even the wildest, most offbeat suggestions can sometimes spark a useful train of thought.
The process is simple:
- Write down everything. No restrictions – no idea is too strange!
- Discuss the full list once everyone has shared their ideas.
- Sort through the list to identify the most suitable solution.
The beauty of brainstorming is that it drives innovation and springs creativity into action. It breaks routine, helps people speak openly, creates unique conversations and encourages teamwork. It’s a great way to get into the habit of thinking outside the square.
4. Round Robin Brainstorming
Sometimes group settings have one or two people who dominate the conversation, leaving quieter folks on the sidelines. Using the Round Robin Brainstorming technique ensures that everyone gets a chance to share their ideas, one at a time.
With this technique, you go around the group, allowing each person to voice one idea before moving on. It’s simple to run, and effective in encouraging thoughtful contribution.
This is a popular method for workplaces to avoid unbalanced team dynamics and making certain everyone’s voice is heard.
5. Silent Brainstorming
One of the benefits to brainstorming is opening your mind to other ideas. However, a lot of verbal discussion can cause doubt in some people and sway them from their original ideas. This is known as ‘groupthink’ – where the combination of ideas can kill creativity.
In some cases, silent brainstorming might be your best bet. With this method, everyone writes down their thoughts independently before sharing. Therefore no one has been influenced by others’ ideas beforehand, leading to more diverse suggestions.
Sometimes silent brainstorming can produce more unique solutions in comparison to traditional brainstorming.
6. The Six Thinking Hats Method
This technique was created by Edward de Bono in 1986, and it involves everyone switching between six different ‘hats.’ These different hats represent different ways of thinking:
- Blue Hat: Process control—worn for managing the discussion.
- White Hat: Looking at facts and data.
- Green Hat: Exploring creativity and innovative ideas.
- Yellow Hat: Positive thinking—why this could work.
- Red Hat: Navigating feelings and emotions.
- Black Hat: Negative analysis—what could go wrong.
This is a more holistic approach, allowing the process to include emotion, scepticism, and more creativity. This method is an excellent approach when you need to consider multiple sides to an issue, ensuring you don’t overlook anything. The idea is using different parts of the brain to find a solution, encouraging mindful and proactive thinking.
This method can be done individually, or the thinking hats can be divided into six groups within a team.
7. World Café Method
The ‘World Café’ method is effective for large groups. This technique involves breaking large groups into smaller ones to spark conversations. Each group discusses the problem for a set time, then rotates, sharing their thoughts with other groups. It’s designed to cross-pollinate ideas across different teams, to gain more refined solutions.
8. Open Space Technology
Some problems demand different voices and perspectives. ‘Open Space Technology’ is great for tackling complex problems that need a diverse range of input. The group picks a central theme, and then sub-groups are formed around issues related to the central theme. These groups come together to hammer out solutions without relying too much on the usual hierarchy. This method was created by Harrison Owen, who wanted his events to simulate one big coffee break.
9. Lightning Decision Jam
If speed is what you need, ‘Lightning Decision Jam’ is your technique. It’s designed to quickly combine critical thinking and decision-making in a short period. Each team member writes problems on sticky notes, then the group votes on which is most urgent. Once decided, the time is spent on finding rapid solutions. Out of all the problem-solving techniques and strategies, this one is best when you’re facing deadlines and need action ASAP.
10. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
When you need to prevent future problems, ‘Failure Mode and Effects Analysis’ (FMEA) is your go-to method. It’s a structured approach used to identify potential failures in a process or product. In short, it helps you look into the future and anticipate what could go wrong, so you know how to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Key points to analyse:
- Severity of the issue
- Likelihood of it happening
- Likelihood of detecting the issue
The ‘FMEA’ method helps prioritise risks based on severity, helping you address the biggest threats to a project.
11. Sorting Fact from Opinion
Problems can often be clouded by opinions that masquerade as facts. You can avoid confusion by watching out for personal opinions versus facts.
This technique calls for clarity – for example, if someone says, “This product is terrible because no one’s buying it,” that’s more of an opinion. Instead, ask for data on how many units were sold last quarter compared to the quarter before. This will give you true information you can measure.
With the internet saturated with personal views, opinion pieces, clickbait, and fake news, it’s important to decipher information and do your research. Fact beats bias every time.
The Power of Practice and Patience
With all these problem-solving techniques and strategies at your disposal, it might be tempting to use them all. However, you need to find what suits you and the specific problem you are facing. Whether it’s using ‘Lightning Decision Jam’ for quick fixes or digging deep into the ‘Five Whys’ for more complex dilemmas, practice makes perfect. And remember to stay patient. Developing any skill takes time and persistence.
If you want to be the go-to problem solver at work or in life, get comfortable with these methods. Experiment with different strategies and refine what works for you. Integrating these techniques into your day-to-day tasks will transform how you make decisions and handle challenges.
>> Looking for more productivity hacks? Check out these 10 proven tips to skyrocket your productivity <<
So, which of these problem-solving techniques and strategies will you try next? Jump in and get started today—a bit of practice will go a long way in boosting your efficiency and decision-making!