Course benefits:
The problem with problem solving is the diversity of problems that
need to be addressed. Every day, management and staff in an organisation
wrestle with one or a number of problem situations. The solutions to
these problems can have impacts ranging from hardly noticeable to having
significant consequences for the employees and organisation as a whole.
Many problems could be solved at a stroke, simply by taking a quick
and effective decision, whilst others need careful analysis and rational
decision making before solutions can be proposed, let alone implemented.
This course provides a framework for, and teaches, the techniques that
we believe are the most successful in problem analysis and problem solving
situations.
Who should attend:
This course is suitable for each of:
- Business Managers, Business Staff and Business Analysts who wrestle
with business problems
- Systems Analysts and Designers who develop and implement solutions
to technical problems
- Any member of a team having a need to participate effectively in
problem analysis and problem solving activities
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for this course.
What you will learn:
On successful completion of the course, attendees will be able to:
- analyse, quantify and describe problems in terms of their causes
and effects
- identify solutions to these problems and to evaluate these in terms
of their consequences to the organisation
- make decisions about which solutions should be implemented
What you will cover:
- Getting Started - recognising that a problem exists; initial problem
definition; terms of reference; resources and matching these to the
seriousness of the problem faced; what a problem is and what it isn't;
basic parameters like problem owner, location and scope of effect
- Understanding the Problem - problem analysis techniques including
critical examination, classic work study techniques, cause and effect
analysis and observation; quantifying the causes and effects and arriving
at an agreed definition of what the problem is and isn't; distinctions
and similarities; setting priorities based on the deviation from what
is desired; representing the results of analysis in graphical and
written form
- Identifying the Solution - agreeing and working within a framework
of objectives, musts and wants; scope of the required solution; the
use of both logical and creative thinking approaches to identifying
solutions; identifying the non-starters and candidates for evaluation
- Evaluating the Solution - agreeing the alternatives and assessing
the fit and suitability of each one; solutions that are really a collection
of interrelated solutions with important pre and post conditions for
overall success; quantifying the benefits and disadvantages of each
solution; using decision analysis to arrive at a conclusion; anticipating
potential problems and quantifying these in terms of risk, seriousness
and visibility; agreeing what and what not to address; refining the
solution and agreeing any contingency plans and the way forward from
here
How you will learn:
The teaching methods used on this course are geared towards the practicalities
of problem solving rather than the theory. Where appropriate, simulations
are used, including ones that will put a certain amount of pressure
on attendees to perform. Related exercises provide a framework on which
to practice the techniques as a project, and within a team.
Duration and availability:
Two days non-residential. Public and in-house.
|
