Problem Solving

PROBLEM SOLVING—AN APPROACH
Before I start into the phases or steps of problem solving, I think that it would be beneficial to
note that issues and problems are two different things. Sure they have a lot in common, but they
have a few different characteristics. In the Latin of issue we find it to mean an outflow. In out
context today it is an outflow from something larger than itself. Some people spend lots of time
trying to solve issues instead of the problem. Other times the problem hasn’t become large and
so the issues need to be resolved. A problem, then, is the source of an issue. Why the issue came
to be. A problem is something that is perplexing or a difficult matter. Maybe our common way
of phrases gets us into trouble. We should fix issues and resolve problems.
Ok, now to the task at hand. Here are some ideas that you should consider when being
confronted with difficulties. This should be followed in a way that is logical to your situation
and should not be used solely as a list unless you find it to be most effective in that way.
1. Identify the issues

In this primary phase you may be tempted to try and pinpoint a problem. This may lead from
one perceived problem to another. These may be problems; however, they may not be the root
of what is going on right now.
It is important to identify the issues that need attention now. From these you may want to ask
yourself this question:
Are the results that I desire coming to pass?
The answer shouldn’t alarm you but it can be helpful to refocus your energy. The interesting
thing about identifying the issue is that sometimes you are unaware that a certain issue exists. If
you ask the question first “Are the results that I desire coming to pass?” then it will help you to
resolve problems or issues before they get out of hand.
As you identify the issues you are faced with, you will be better able to pinpoint the main
problem that could be behind the issues or may be one of the issues that you have mentioned.
2. Identify the desired result

Sometimes what you are trying to solve isn’t as clear when working with larger problems. This
phase may be good to jot down a few outcomes that you wish would be, after the issue or
problem has been taken care of.
3. Find out what you need to learn

Sometimes it isn’t a question of doing what you know it may be that you don’t know what you
need to do to fix your issue/problem. That is why it is important to put this step next. With a
knowledge of what you know or need to know you can start the next step.
4. Brainstorm
In this phase, you will want to use your creative energy to work on different angles and to
evaluate different possible solutions. In a group setting it would be very important to have very
open communication so that all the ideas the group comes up with are out on the table.
Individually, this may have some limits; however, you’ll learn a lot from the experience.
In this stage, after you have put in your ideas and thoughts you may want to consult the history
to examine what has been done in the past to resolve an issue or fix a problem. I am not saying
that you have to follow history, but a lot of the time history has proven certain things are wise to
follow and other things may not be as efficient. You will always want to examine the effects and
reasons why people did the solution in the way that they did it.
5. Choose a way to do it
This almost goes without saying. You can’t walk down two different paths (unless you are with a
group, but that is not very effective in a lot of circumstances). You need to have a pretty
concrete idea of going about and fixing the problem or resolving the issue.
6. Go work at it
This is the phase where everything, hopefully, starts coming together. You may find very quickly
that you have identified an issue or problem that wasn’t really the issue at hand. You, also,
could encounter that the way you are approaching the problem is just not effective. It is
important to be persistent in this phase. If you are completely stuck and have no idea how to
tackle this idea find someone more experienced than you, tell them what you have done and ask
if they have any more suggestions. It doesn’t hurt to ask holds true only after you have tried and
exerted your labor to come up with a solution.
In following these steps, I believe that you will be ‘thinking outside the box’ and will find that
your resourcefulness is a lifesaver.
Problem Solving—A Worksheet
1. What is happening that I would like to be changed?
2. What would I like to happen instead of what is happening?
3. What outside sources can I consult with to understand the ‘hidden issues’ behind what I see
as a problem?
4. What do I need to learn to help bridge the disparity of what I am currently doing to what I
should do?
5. From what I’ve learned and know create a list of ideas that could be implemented to solve the
problem.
6. Select one of the ideas and work at implementing it.
7. Enjoy the journey and the results of hard and well thought out work.

Problem Solving

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PROBLEM SOLVING—AN APPROACH

1. Identify the issues

2. Identify the desired result

3. Find out what you need to learn

1. What is happening that I would like to be changed?

2. What would I like to happen instead of what is happening?

6. Select one of the ideas and work at implementing it.

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