Implement and evaluate
Before implementing the favoured option(s), consider the following:
- Action plan €“ who needs to do what and when?
- Measures €“ how will you monitor implementation?
- Contingency €“ what will happen if the solution does not go to plan?
Problems are inevitable
Different people pay attention to different things and apply different criteria when solving problems and making decisions.
You will encounter problems and have to make decisions on a daily basis, so honing these two skills are essential for any manager's success in the workplace.
Creating a structured approach to problem management and decision making will reduce the costs and impacts from knee-jerk approaches decided in haste.
ACTIVITY 1
Consider a problem that exists now. This could be a workplace problem or something in your personal life (e.g. wanting to eat more healthily).
Undertake the first three steps of the problem resolution model:
- Define the problem statement
- Involve interested parties
- Research the problem.
ACTIVITY 2
Using the defined problem from Activity 1, identify options for resolution and use two techniques to compare options.
Do you agree with the findings?