Note: Before moving on to Phase Two (Decision Making), it’s crucial to fully cover the three steps of Problem Identification. Without a shared understanding of the problem, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to reach a consensus on the solution.

Creative Thinking Methods

To generate a wide range of ideas and potential solutions, consider using creative thinking techniques.

One effective method is Brainstorming:

Brainstorming

  1. Visualize the Problem:
    • Start by drawing a circle in the center of a blank page and writing down your problem within the circle.
  2. Generate Ideas:
    • Draw lines extending from the central circle, each representing a potential solution. Write down any and all ideas that come to mind, no matter how unconventional or unrealistic they may seem.
  3. Emphasize Creativity Over Criticism:
    • At this stage, the goal is to foster creative thinking. Avoid evaluating or dismissing ideas as they emerge. The focus should be on capturing a wide range of possibilities, as this can lead to innovative solutions that might not have been considered otherwise.

This brainstorming process helps in exploring various angles of the problem and uncovering creative solutions that can be refined and evaluated later in the decision-making phase.

Checkerboard

This is a more organized form of brainstorming and can be particularly helpful for people who don’t like how chaotic a brainstorming session can become. With this method, you organize your thoughts into a table. We still want creative thinking rather than critical thinking, but this method may help you develop ideas.

Here is an example of a checkerboard.

Main Solution

Possible Specific Solutions

 

 

Create safe passage between building and parking/bus stop

Have security escort night staff to their cars or bus stop

Rearrange shifts so that people come and go during daylight hours

Set up a buddy system with employees

People missing work in snowstorm

Set up 50% of staff with ability to work from home during storms

Arrange for temporary shelters so that staff can stay overnight

Provide incentives for employees to put winter tires on their vehicles and learn safe winter driving

Threat of strike is rumored

Set up contract negotiations well before contract expires

Approach union and ask to speak with them

Set up contingency plan to ensure business continuity in the event of a strike

Next, cut up solutions and move them around, or use your computer. This can help you organize your ideas and generate even more solutions!

Research and Report 

Before deciding on a solution, it’s valuable to examine what others have done in similar situations. Conduct research and prepare a report that summarizes the findings.

Key points to include in your report:

  • Case Studies: Look at how other organizations or individuals have approached and solved similar problems.
  • Best Practices: Identify successful strategies or methods that have been widely adopted.
  • Lessons Learned: What insights can be drawn from these examples? Consider both successes and failures to understand what worked and what didn’t, and why.

Evaluation

 With potential solutions in mind, the next step is to evaluate them to determine which are most feasible and effective.

Steps for Evaluation:

  1. Sort Solutions by Category:
  • Organize the solutions into categories based on common themes or approaches. This helps in comparing similar solutions side by side.
  1. Identify Advantages and Disadvantages:
  • For each solution, list the pros and cons. Consider factors such as cost, time, resources required, potential impact, and alignment with your goals.
  1. Assess Your Preferences:
  • Reflect on what you like and dislike about each solution. This subjective assessment can be as important as the objective pros and cons, as it helps align the solution with your values and preferences.

By thoroughly researching, reporting, and evaluating, you’ll be better equipped to select a solution that is not only feasible but also tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.

Number your ideas in order, from the one that seems the most feasible to the one that seems the least feasible. This is useful for small problems.

Decision Making

Once you have evaluated the options, it’s time to make a decision. Here are some ways you can do it:

  • Get a consensus from the group on the best solution.
  • Don’t limit yourself to one option; you may find that you can combine solutions for super success. (This is called the both/and method.)
  • To make voting easier, you may want to eliminate the solutions that the group as a whole absolutely won’t consider.
  • Try to focus on agreements during all voting.
  • Use straw voting: Take a quick, non-binding yes/no vote on the current solution as proposed.
  • Try negative voting: Rather than asking who is for a solution, ask who is against the proposed solution.
  • Back off! The group may need some time to evaluate the options before making a decision.

 

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