Problem Solving 101: Tips On Becoming a Better Problem-Solver

Our superb problem-solving skills are what have made us the dominant species on the planet. Indeed, one could fairly reduce our professional lives as a series of puzzles or problems to be solved. But as good as human beings are at this, sometimes they get stumped. Drinking gallons of coffee, burning the midnight oil and beating your head against a wall will rarely help. This article focuses on constructive methods of overcoming the dead ends in your creative process and to solve problems that seem unsolvable. 1. Make sure you understand the problem and have defined it correctly. Every problem is, at its core, is a need that must be satisfied. Make sure you understand what that need is. The worse result is spending lots of your time solving what you believe to be the problem only to find that you missed the mark. Equally bad is failing to solve the problem because you do not understand it. Perhaps it would be solvable but you are focused on the wrong need. 2. Identify all of the assumptions you are making to solve this problem. This exercise alone will help you better understand the problem. Furthermore, it may help you realize that some of the assumptions are either faulty or that they can be further dissected in ways that will help you solve the problem. 3. Take it one step at a time. Break your problem up into parts and try to solve one at a time rather than seeing the problem as one big obstacle that must be overcome. 4. Put together a team. It is well established that functioning teams are better problem solvers than an individual. If possible, assemble a team to address your problem. At least pull in a colleague or friend to get their input and pick their brains about the problem. Not only will other human beings give you ideas and perspectives you had not thought of, but the process of articulating your thoughts to another human being will sharpen your thinking. 5. Your mind is a powerful analytical tool that will tear apart at your problem with laser fine precision. While that is an incredibly effective and important process, the analytical part of your mind will also tend to narrow your focus and squelch your creativity. Start with "brainstorming" your needs and possible solutions to them while keeping your critical and analytical skills in check. Only after you let your creative side loose should you start bringing your powers of critical analysis to each creative idea. 6. Take some time off. Beating your head against a wall all night won’t necessarily lead to inspiration. Take a break. Get a good night’s sleep. Go for a run. Work on another project for a while. While you shift gears your subconscious will continue sifting through the problem. The solution may come to you when you least expect it. Even if it doesn’t, you will return to the problem refreshed and clearer headed. That can’t hurt. Problem-solving is something we need to do every day. Develop the problem-solving tools described in this article and you will see an exponential increase in your problem-solving skills.