This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
© 2018 UCIMU, AFOL, Milano, Italy | Nachwuchsstiftung Maschinenbau gGmbH, Bielefeld, Germany
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 | How to use this learning unit |
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The problem solving process |
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 | Simplex, Appreciative inquiry, SSM |
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Definition of the problem |
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 | Appreciation (situational) - Understanding the full implications of a fact |
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 | Root Cause Analysis - Tracing a problem to its origins |
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 | Cause and effect analysis (Ishikawa Diagrams) |
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 | Change the perspective (0) |
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Evaluating and selecting alternatives |
The implementation of possible solutions |
Lateral thinking - analytic approach |
 | The Analytic Hierarchy Process |
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Lateral thinking – holistic / systemic approach |
Click the play button to watch an animation!
Tools like 5 Whys, Appreciation and Root Cause Analysis help you ask the right questions, and work through the layers of a problem to uncover what’s really going on.
At this stage, it’s also important to ensure that you look at the issue from a variety of perspectives. If you commit yourself too early, you can end up with a problem statement that’s really a solution instead.
The CATWOE checklist provides a powerful reminder to look at many elements that may contribute to the problem, and to expand your thinking around it.
The key to a good problem definition is ensuring that you deal with the real problem – not its symptoms.