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Finding creative solutions

“Your idea has to be original only in its adaptation to the problem you’re working on.” (Thomas Edison)

Problem solving is a central aspect of leadership and one that distinguishes a maintenance manager (one who preserves the status quo or reacts to situations) from a visionary leader, capable of anticipating, preventing or minimising problems or even able to turn a problem into an opportunity. Creatively solving problems is a valuable skill because it:

• Can provide a competitive advantage by turning a challenging new situation into a unique opportunity to differentiate and excel
• Allows you to display flexibility and ingenuity, building the reputation and appeal of your brand.
• Prevents difficulties from recurring
• Generates ideas and accumulates knowledge, assets that can be used in the future to develop and sustain a competitive edge
• Encourages people to collaborate and creates a climate for people to succeed
This toolkit provides practical techniques to help you avoid and creatively solve problems.

Length: 13 pages

Contents:
The Benefits

Action Checklist: Problem Solving
• Overcome barriers
• Define the problem
• Gather relevant information
• Identify possible causes
• Identify potential solutions
• Check the solution
• Make the decision
• Distinguish between programmed and non-programmed problems
• Monitor the results
• Cause and effect analysis
• Pareto analysis
• Techniques for creative problem solving
• Brainstorming
• Mind mapping
• Heuristics
• Kepner-Tregoe (KT) analysis

Avoiding Problems – this provides practical techniques to avoid problems and pitfalls. Typical challenges include: failing to define and understand the problem, lack of rigorous, critical analysis, inappropriate action and responses, over confidence, and being too risk averse.

Dos and Don’ts

Key Questions

Things You Can Do
• Be aware (and raise awareness among others)
• Avoid subjective or irrational analysis
• Be sensitive
• Establish clear priorities and objectives
• Foster creativity and innovation
• Balance analysis with action
• Be proactive
• Think critically
• Identify options
• Use lateral thinking
• Conceptualise

Further Action

Further Information