Problem solving techniques for workplace

Problem solving is an unavoidable part of a manager’s job. In fact, if you are working as a manager, problem solving is what your job is all about. Problem solving can be described as a thought process that takes on a problem and find ways to get around it. Even though, a majority of all people will consider them a problem-solver, there are very few who are actually capable of getting to the root cause and finding a solution. It’s easy to be a part of project that’s turning out well but it’s only after some problem arises when the more knowledgeable workers are differentiated from the average employee. Knowledge and experience are perhaps two most basic requirements but one needs to be strong minded and confident as well. Small problems like working out a dispute between two workers can be solved on the spot. However, complex problems must be tackled more methodically, following are some of the methods used for problem solving.
Brainstorming:
Brainstorming is largely discussed in management courses, in spite of the fact that various researches have proved it to be unproductive and not that effective. Still, brainstorming has its clear advantages, the most obvious being the participation of entire team. In brainstorming, the point is to create an exhaustive list of all possible solutions along with the plus and minuses. However, this technique largely deals with the quantity and not quality, because not all of them are capable of coming up with quality ideas, still they’d take it personally if someone else’s solution was selected over theirs.
Research:
Scientific research is a method often used by scientists, where different hypothesis are tested for their accuracy by different experiments and the most accurate one is accepted as the better one (not best, since there’s always a outside chance of some better and more precise hypothesis, shaping up in the future). A hypothesis is merely a prediction, based on the knowledge and experience of the person making this hypothesis. Take the example of an online business depending on organic traffic coming from Top rankings in search engine results page. Now the algorithm that search engines used is a closely-held secret, in case, the rankings start dropping, the business will make hypothesis about the possible reasons and take corrective actions on experimental basis. If it works, the changes will be applied on a much larger scale, if not, the company will move on to another hypothesis.
Before you get down to problem solving using any of these methods, you must define the problem in clear words, at times finding the actual problem can be a part of problem solving process. Once you’ve got to the bottom of any problem, it is quite easy to resolve.