Course No. PS11

Back to Index

Problem Solving Skills - I

Description:

Problems are everywhere; how you see a problem often depends on your attitude. However, attitude alone cannot cure problems, action is needed. But what to act upon? How do we determine what are the cause or causes of the problem. How do we know we are not mistaking the symptom for the problem or the cause? What tools can we use to determine the root causes? Should we go by gut feel? What are the pit falls?

This workshop teaches tools for tackling such issues while keeping the level of mathematical and statistical rigor at a reasonable level. Everyone can derive a benefit, and apply the knowledge to resolving problems regardless of their; technical, transactional, or other. Real life scenarios / problems are addressed in class for practice.

Benefits:

Determine likely causes

Reduce risk of false starts on problem resolution

Understand effects of, and limitations imposed by boundaries - real and virtual

Resolve problems with solutions that last

Topics Covered:

Definitions of problem, symptom, causes

Determining scope and boundaries

Defining outcomes before embarking on analysis and solutions

Tools for identifying problems, symptoms, and causes

Tools for analysis - Brainstorming, Affinity Diagrams, Nominal Group Technique, Cause and Effect Diagrams, Check Sheets, Pareto Analysis

Developing solutions - short and long term

Tracking and taking further corrective actions

Pre-requisites:                  None