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Problem Solving Techniques in

Organizations
Jeebanjyoti Behera1* and Pranoy Ray2
1&2
Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Extension Education, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Corresponding Author
Jeebanjyoti Behera
Email address: [email protected]

OPEN ACCESS
Keywords

Problem-Solving, Organisation, Management

How to cite this article:

Behera, J. and Ray, P. 2021. Problem Solving Techniques in Organizations. Vigyan Varta 2(2):
50-53.

ABSTRACT
Organizations now-a-days face a multitude of problems within them and also outside.
However, organizational success is very much dependent on how the problems are solved
effectively at the earliest without hampering its day-to-day activities. This article describes
the techniques of problem solving and the management skills required thereof. It describes
types of problem solving and also the key barriers that might hinder the management
process. The study suggests to try several methods, find people who resonate best together
with the team, and continue adopting new techniques processes along the way.

INTRODUCTION
To be a successful problem solver we must go

E
ffective problem solving is a key through these stages:
management skill and a major factor in
• Recognizing and defining the problem
determining individual and
organizational success. People with good • Finding possible solutions
problem-solving skills adapt more quickly in
• Choosing the best solution
times of rapid change and are generally the high
achievers, whether it is by putting things right • Implementing the solution.
when they go wrong, making the simplest use
of resources, or creating and exploiting Concept of Problem-Solving
opportunities. Each people have an innate Each of us is a constant problem solver.
ability to unravel problems. To develop this Problems, as visualized by most of us, are
ability, we need a clear understanding of the irritants, impediments, hassles and a headache,
skills and techniques involved and practice in in general are negative things. In organizational
applying them in different situations. situations - problems are actually, something to

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do, something challenging, something positive, • Decision Making and Problem Solving:
to show our worth, to improve our performance.
Decision-making is part of the problem-
We see or note that there's problem, through its solving process. Problem solving involves
associated symptoms. The symptom by itself is the consideration of variety of possible
not the problem. Through symptom we've to solutions for things.
exercise to pin down the matter liable for the
symptoms we see. This process is understood as Problem –Solving Skill
gathering the facts to spot the precise problem.
• Recognize problems when and where they
Repeat - symptom is not the problem. Problem
exist.
is the cause of symptoms we see. You have to
eliminate symptomatic causes till you're left • Anticipate developing problems while
with the essential problem. they're still in an embryonic stage.

Problem-solving process involves the • Determine an objective or goal, that is, the
following steps. results desired when the matter is solved.
1. See that there is a Problem • Generate several possible solutions to the
2. Define it problem.

3. Specify the nature of the Problem • Evaluate systematically the possible

solutions against a group of predetermined
4. Generate possible Solutions
criteria, and thus, lead to an effective,
5. Define criteria for Making a Decision appropriate solution.
6. Look for optimal Solution • Plan for the implementation of the answer
7. Make the Decision in an organized manner.

8. Implement it and Finally • Evaluate the results of the answer and

monitor for future problems.
9. Check that it has Worked
Problem Solving techniques
Types of Problem-Solving
By nature, creative problem solving doesn't
• Analytic Problem Solving:
have a clear-cut set of do’s and don’ts. Rather,
It involves a situation during which there's creating a culture of strong creative problem
just one correct answer or result solvers requires flexibility, adaptation, and
interpersonal skills. However, there are a
• Judgmental Problem Solving: several best practices that you simply should
incorporate:
Judgmental Problem solving frequently
offers the problem solver a limited choice of • Use a Systematic Approach: Regardless of
alternatives. the technique you use, choose a systematic
method that satisfies your workplace
• Creative Problem Solving: conditions and constraints (time, resources,
Creative problem solving is that the kind of budget, etc.). Although you want to preserve
problem-solving people do 90 percent of the creativity and openness to new ideas,
time. The range of alternatives is very broad, maintaining a structured approach to the
much more so than in judgmental problem process will help you stay organized and
solving. focused.

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• View Problems as Opportunities: instead • Confirmation Bias: The tendency to only

of that specialize in the negatives or look for or interpret information that
abandoning once you encounter barriers, confirms a person’s existing ideas. People
treat problems as opportunities to enact misinterpret or disregard data that doesn’t
positive change on things. In fact, some align with their beliefs.
experts even recommend defining problems
as opportunities, to stay proactive and • Mental Set: People’s inclination to unravel
positive. problems using an equivalent tactics they
need to solve problems within the past.
• Change Perspective: Remember that there While this will sometimes be a useful
are multiple ways to unravel any problem. If strategy (see Analogical Thinking during a
you are feeling stuck, changing perspective later section), it often limits inventiveness
can help generate fresh ideas. A perspective and creativity.
change might entail seeking advice of a
mentor or expert, understanding the context • Functional Fixedness: this is often another
of a situation, or taking a break and returning sort of narrow thinking, where people
to the problem later. become “stuck” thinking during a certain
way and are unable to be flexible or change
• Break Down Silos: to ask the best possible perspective.
number of perspectives to any problem,
encourage teams to figure cross- • Unnecessary Constraints: When people
departmentally. This not only combines are overwhelmed with a problem, they will
diverse expertise, but also creates a more invent and impose additional limits on
trusting and collaborative environment, solution avenues. To avoid doing this,
which is essential to effective Creative maintain a structured, level-headed
problem solving. approach to evaluating causes, effects, and
potential solutions.
• Employ Strong Leadership or a
Facilitator: Some companies choose to hire • Group thinking: Be wary of the tendency
an external facilitator that teaches problem for group members to accept as true with
solving techniques, best practices, and each other- this could be out of conflict
practicums to stimulate creative problem avoidance, path of least effort , or fear of
solving. But internal managers and staff also speaking up. While this agreeableness might
can oversee these activities. Regardless of make meetings run smoothly, it can actually
whether the facilitator is internal or external, stunt creativity and idea generation,
choose a strong leader who will value therefore limiting the success of your chosen
others’ ideas and make space for creative solution.
solutions.
• Irrelevant Information: The tendency to
• Evaluate Your Current Processes: This pile on multiple problems and factors which
practice can assist you unlock bottlenecks, will not even be associated with the
and also identify gaps in your data and challenge at hand. This can cloud the team’s
knowledge management, both of which are ability to seek out direct, targeted solutions.
common roots of business problems.
• Paradigm Blindness: this is often found in
Barriers to Effective Problem Solving people that are unwilling to adapt or change
their worldview, outlook on a specific
Learning the way to effectively solve problems problem, or typical way of processing
is difficult and takes time and continual information. This can erode the
adaptation. There are several common barriers effectiveness of problem-solving techniques
to successful CPS, including: because they're not conscious of the

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narrowness of their thinking, and thus together with your team, and continue adopting
cannot think or act outside of their new techniques and adapting your processes
temperature. along the way.

CONCLUSION REFERENCES:

Many of those problem-solving techniques are Bryman, A. (2008). The end of the paradigm
often utilized in concert with each other, or wars. The SAGE handbook of
multiple are often appropriate for any given social research methods, 13-25.
problem. It’s less about facilitating an ideal
CPS session, and more about encouraging team Perlow, L., & Williams, S. (2003). Is silence
members to repeatedly think outside the box killing your company? Ieee
and push beyond personal boundaries that Engineering Management
inhibit their innovative thinking. So, try several Review, 31(4): 18-23.
methods, find people who resonate best

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