3 Key Steps to Problem Solving in a Business

In any business, there will always be some problem to solve, whether it is a small issue or a major one. The main objective is to find a solution to the problem as quickly as possible that is both fair and transparent to all parties involved.

Most problems that are experienced in the business world on a day-to-day basis can be rectified if they are dealt with as soon as the situation arises. There are many key steps to take to solve a problem in business, yet these three are the most vital.

Understand the Problem and How It Arose

A business manager or employee cannot reasonably solve a problem if they don’t understand it. The first key step is to define the problem to gain clarity as to what caused the issue to occur. Most people want to jump into a resolution just to bring peace and solve the problem, but without understanding the intricacies of the situation.

A handy tool for any business is to employ the use of mind maps such as the fishbone diagram. It is a special visualization tool that can identify the root cause of a problem by analyzing various aspects. Fishbone diagrams look just like a fish skeleton, where the head, ribs, and internal skeleton make up sub-branches of different possible causes to the main problem. Have a look at a few fishbone diagram examples to understand more about how it can help with various business problems.

Identify a Variety of Resolutions

There is no one solution to fix every problem. Just as well, some problems need very specific and unique solutions to work. When faced with any business problem, the second most important step is to brainstorm and identify as many resolutions as possible. The more possibilities that are developed, the higher the likelihood that the best option will jump right out.

It may require that multiple solutions are applied to a situation, depending on how complicated it is and how many people or other business functions are involved. Always have a few backup solutions on hand just in case the problem isn’t resolved the first time around, or if any new risks to the business develop.

Implement and Review

The next most important key step to solving business problems is to create an implementation plan. It may require incremental changes over a long period or it might need to be implemented immediately. Either way, every step following this must be reviewed and constantly evaluated. This way, if the problem progresses during the execution period, then the business will be able to rectify it with a new or updated solution.

Regardless of whether the solution was successful or not, remember to always review constantly. Identify what went wrong or right and what had the biggest impact on the final result. It helps to avoid having to reinvent the wheel anytime a similar business problem arises.

Problem-solving is a skill, but one that can be easily taught. These key steps are the standard methods of addressing a business problem and they can be applied to any situation.

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