Problem Solving
There are many approaches to problem solving, depending on the nature of the problem and the people involved in the problem. The more traditional, rational approach is typically used and involves, eg, clarifying description of the problem, analyzing causes, identifying alternatives, assessing each alternative, choosing one, implementing it, and evaluating whether the problem was solved or not.
Another, more state-of-the-art approach is appreciative inquiry. That approach asserts that "problems" are often the result of our own perspectives on a phenomena, eg, if we look at it as a "problem," then it will become one and we'll probably get very stuck on the "problem." Appreciative inquiry includes identification of our best times about the situation in the past, wishing and thinking about what worked best then, visioning what we want in the future, and building from our strengths to work toward our vision.
The activities of problem solving and decision making are closely intertwined, so the reader will often find mention of the two topics together.
Sections of this topic include:
Suggested Basic StepsTips
Tools
Some "Advanced" Information
(Also see the closely related topics Decision Making, Group-Based Problem Solving and Decision Making and Planning -- Basics.)
Suggested Basic Steps
Basic Guidelines to Problem Solving and Decision MakingDecision-Making and Problem-Solving (useful broad overview with basic steps)
Tips
Creative Problem-SolvingLeadership Styles and Problem Solving (focus on creativity)
Ten Tips for Beefing Up Your Problem Solving Toolbox
Problem Solving (broad overview; helps to organize thoughts about problem solving)
Forget About Causes, Focus on Solutions
Ten Tips for Beefing Up Your Problem Solving Tool Box
Some Tools
list of various toolsanother list of tools
Force-Field Analysis
"Advanced" Information
Appreciative InquiryProblem Solving Techniques (extensive overview of various approaches)
Guidelines for Selecting An Appropriate Problem Solving Approach
Factors to Consider in Figuring Out What to Do About A Problem
A Case for Reengineering the Problem Solving Process (somewhat advanced)
For the Category of Creativity and Innovation:
Related Library Topics
Recommended Books
General Information
The following books are recommended because of their highly practical nature and often because they include a wide range of information about this Library topic. To get more information about each book, just hover your cursor over the image of the book. A "bubble" of information will be displayed. You can click on the title of the book in that bubble to get more information, too.
Also See
Systems Thinking -- Recommended Books
