Structured Problem Solving
A general-purpose method for everyday work problems: defining the problem precisely, breaking it into parts, generating options before judging them, deciding against explicit criteria, testing small, and verifying the problem actually went away.
54m
Total time
4
Competency levels
12
Lessons
What you'll learn
- Explain why people jump to solutions and what that habit costs in rework, cost and credibility
- Define a problem precisely using current state, desired state, the gap, scope and an is/is-not boundary
- Break a problem into parts with a simple issue tree whose branches do not overlap and do not leave gaps
- Generate a range of options before evaluating any of them, keeping divergent and convergent thinking apart
- Evaluate options against explicit, agreed criteria and test the chosen option small before full commitment
- Verify that the problem has actually gone, standardise the fix, and recognise when to escalate or ask for help
Curriculum
Progress through each competency level in order.
1
Awareness
- 3mWhy We Jump to SolutionsKnowledge
- 3mDefining the Problem PreciselyKnowledge
- 7mAwareness Check: Problems, Not SolutionsAssessment
2
Knowledge
- 3mBreaking a Problem into PartsKnowledge
- 3mGenerating Options Before Judging ThemKnowledge
- 8mKnowledge Check: Breaking Down and Opening UpAssessment
3
Skill
- 3mChoosing on Criteria, Then Testing SmallKnowledge
- 3mPractice: Solve One Real Problem End to EndAssignment
- 8mSkill Check: Working Through the MethodAssessment
4
Mastery
- 3mVerify, Standardise, and Know When to EscalateKnowledge
- 3mCapstone: Lead a Problem-Solving Cycle and Prove It HeldAssignment
- 7mMastery Assessment: Judgement Across the Whole MethodAssessment
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