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 |
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Simplex involves an eight-stage process: problem finding, fact finding, defining the problem, idea finding, selecting and evaluating, planning, selling the idea, and acting. These steps build upon the basic process described earlier, and they create a cycle of problem finding and solving that will continually improve your organization.
Appreciative Inquiry takes a uniquely positive approach by helping you solve problems by examining what’s working well in the areas surrounding them.
Soft Systems Methodology is designed to help you understand complex problems so that you can start the process of solving them. It uses four stages to help you uncover more details about what’s creating the problem, and then define actions that will improve the situation.
The four-step approach is linear and simple to understand/apply. However, for a more comprehensive process, you can use Simplex, Appreciative Inquiry or Soft Systems Methodology (SSM).