GROUP DECISION MAKING -- IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM: Tell specifically what the problem is and how you experience it. Cite specific examples. --"Own" the problem as yours and solicit the help of others in solving it rather than implying that it's someone else's problem that they ought to solve. Keep in mind that if it were someone else's problem, they would be bringing it up for discussion. --In the identification phase of problem-solving, avoid references to solutions. This can trigger disagreement too early in the process and prevent ever making meaningful progress. --Once there seems to be a fairly clear understanding of what the problem is, this definition should be written in very precise language If a group is involved, it should be displayed on a flip chart or chalkboard.
GROUP DECISION MAKING -- CLARIFY THE PROBLEM: This step is most important when working with a group of people. If the problem is not adequately clarified so that everyone views it the same, the result will be that people will offer solutions to different problems. To clarify the problem, ask someone in the group to paraphrase the problem as they understand it. Then ask the other group members if they see it essentially the same way. Any differences must be resolved before going any further. In clarifying the problem, ask the group the following questions: Who is involved with the problem? Who is likely to be affected? Can we get them involved in solving the problem? Who legitimately or logically should be included in the decision? Are there others who need to be consulted prior to a decision? These questions assume that commitment of those involved (and affected by the problem) is desirable in implementing any changes or solutions. The best way to get this commitment is to include those involved and affected by the problem in determining solutions.
GROUP DECISION MAKING -- ANALYZE THE CAUSE: Any deviation from what should be is produced by a cause or interaction of causes. In order to change "what is" to "what is wanted" it is usually necessary to remove or neutralize the cause in some way. This calls for precise isolation of the most central or basic cause(s) of the problem, and requires close analysis of the problem to clearly separate the influencing from the non-influencing factors. This is probably an easier process to follow when dealing with problems involving physical things rather than with interpersonal or social issues. Typically, interpersonal and social problems are more likely to spring from a dynamic constellation of causes that will be more difficult to solve if the causes are only tackled one at a time. Still, whether dealing with physical or social problems, it is important to seek those causes that are most fundamental in producing the problem. Don't waste energy on causes that have only a tangential effect.
GROUP DECISION MAKING -- SOLICIT ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS: This step calls for identifying as many solutions to the problem as possible before discussing the specific advantages and disadvantages of each. What happens frequently in problem solving is that the first two or three suggested solutions are debated and discussed for the full time allowed for the entire problem solving session. As a result, many worthwhile ideas are never identified or considered. By identifying many solutions, a superior idea often surfaces itself and reduces or even eliminates the need for discussing details of more debatable issues. These solutions may be logical attacks at the cause or they may be creative solutions that need not be rational. Therefore, it is important at this step to limit the time spent discussing any one solution and to concentrate rather on announcing as many as possible.
Copyright AE Schwartz & Associates All rights reserved. For additional presentation materials and resources: ReadySetPresent and for a Free listing as a Trainer, Consultant, Speaker, Vendor/Organization: TrainingConsortium
CEO, A.E. Schwartz & Associates, Boston, MA., a comprehensive organization which offers over 40 skills based management training programs. Mr. Schwartz conducts over 150 programs annually for clients in industry, research, technology, government, Fortune 100/500 companies, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. He is often found at conferences as a key note presenter and/or facilitator. His style is fast-paced, participatory, practical, and humorous. He has authored over 65 books and products, and taught/lectured at over a dozen colleges and universities throughout the United States.
In order to survive, you have to be happier than... Read More
Office politics! It's just another way of saying: "The employees... Read More
Marketing ISO 9001 2000.Lately we've been seeing a lot of... Read More
When I was first initiated into Corporate America, I had... Read More
There are 12 essential elements of a successful internal communications... Read More
Military analysts call this "asymmetrical" war (as if war has... Read More
Do you have piles of paper on your desk. Many... Read More
Remember the 80:20 rule? You may not get everything perfectly... Read More
Where does the time go? Billable time. As a consultant,... Read More
Before you call your next meeting, the FIRST step is... Read More
A major source of communication breakdowns is incongruence between the... Read More
Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people... Read More
Wouldn't it be nice for business owners and executives to... Read More
With thanks to Jeff Foxworthy, the comedian who does the... Read More
I've often heard managers say - "My door is always... Read More
Many people believe that they conduct effective meetings, when all... Read More
Audiences who saw the fabled Broadway musical, Chorus Line, marveled... Read More
A recent report entitled "How Google Grows?and Grows?and Grows" stated... Read More
In numerous programs I've conducted on performance appraisals, with Human... Read More
Some time ago we had the privilege of working with... Read More
CATEGORIES OF OFFENSES: Most organizations have two categories of offenses... Read More
Faulty information costs you money! Which of these popular business... Read More
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by e-mail? Have you ever... Read More
Maybe it's the season or just a more buoyant job... Read More
What is the no. 1 asset in your business beside... Read More
When looking to outsource overseas for Plastic Injection Molds or... Read More
Why do some new managers succeed while others fail? It... Read More
Ask most people why they are in business and they... Read More
On August 3rd/2005, Reuters reported that a German man had... Read More
Writing a Business Plan for your next entrepreneurial endeavor is... Read More
Are you ready to raise money for your startup?Leslie Mitts,... Read More
Meetings ? they are a fact of our business lives.... Read More
It's been a pretty good weekend around the place -... Read More
I've just watched, again, an episode in the Back to... Read More
As a manager, it is your job to ensure that... Read More
Have you ever heard yourself say to a team member... Read More
Whether you choose to do your own books and accounting... Read More
A trainer dryly discussing how to motivate people in an... Read More
Today's employees are not only interested in security or in... Read More
In part one of this article I told you about... Read More
It is clear that good Corporate Governance is in the... Read More
Yet there is a place for those external 'raft-build's', 'away... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Here's a brief story I encountered while leaving Newark International... Read More
Judgment is the process of forming an opinion of something... Read More
Hiring employees is a huge responsibility. Before hiring anyone, be... Read More
Succession Planning provides many valuable assets to your business. Yet... Read More
Best Definition of "Corporate Culture"If you ask 10 people to... Read More
Perhaps the most common theme I've heard in working with... Read More
What you say to other people can make or break... Read More
It is becoming more common for employers to require employees... Read More
KEEP WRITTEN RECORDS: "Document !Document! Document!" Keep a record of... Read More
If you run a business, you are sure to have... Read More
Swiftness is the key to collecting past due commercial accounts... Read More
Recently, I attended a webinar with nearly 400 other Chief... Read More
Human communication is always three-dimensional. No spoken or written message... Read More
Conference calling can save you money. There is no doubt... Read More
How content and satisfied are American employees? Not very!According to... Read More
Why risk the embarassment when with a little basic PR... Read More
Many kinds of interferences or disturbances can confuse a message.... Read More
Here are some quick thoughts on ways to turn things... Read More
Rejection hurts. No one likes to give it or to... Read More
IntroductionThere are a group of people in the community that... Read More
Every Manager has experienced the frustration of not understanding why... Read More
The challenge of managing difficult managers can be rather daunting,... Read More
Out of the box thinking is a popular fad today.... Read More
Business Management |