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Identify cause
Points to be noted
For a problem, there can be more than one root cause
Sometime, one cause can have more than one effect
Caution
Wrong correlation can result in bad decision making
Approach
List down all possible option
Identify root cause
Find the solution
Identify cause
Look with and without expected cause and see if you are seeing any difference
If not, then it will not be cause
If yes, it may be cause
5 Ys approach
Good manager will go thro' 5 Ys
Swap things one by one until you find the issue. Sometime it may not work if there are two things which are cause
Tips for success
Never jump straight to solution
Use both logic and intuition
Identify causes rightly
Risk analysis
Always compare options on same frame of reference
Consult group
Be aware to keep anonymous or else it can be biased by vocal people
Understand that Somewhat you may need to reject all options
Never settle for solution, if it is not good. Try other approaches
Check robustness of plan
Plan should not be shaky for changes
In case you realize that a heavy investment was wrong, then abondoning in the interest for future should be done, if needed
Refer sunk cost fallacy
If two options look close,
then choosing any one doesn't matter since both will make happy in some or other way
Or use the easier option
Or delegate the decision
For any solution to finalize,
always consider implementation easiness
If this effort is useful for long-term, go for difficult implementation
Different approaches to solve the problem
Intuition
Person might not be able to explain
Things got stuck if solution doesn't give result
If numbers are involved, then this doesn't work
Logical reasoning
Works many times
But taking intuitive leap, doesn't happen
Answer
Use intuition and logical reasoning both
Approaches for idea generations
Brainstorm approach
List all ideas including seemingly stupid one
No criticising allowed
Then judge each one
Doing both together doesn't work since creativity and judging can't be done together for long
Mind maps
Use wide paper (landscape mode)
Use whiteboard
Tablet/iPAD is good as it has zoom-in/zoom-out/resizing capability
Decision tree
This is a kind of mind map
Approach to view options
A matrix with pros N cons
X-axis all options
Y-axis all factors .
Mention factor impact to each option
Rating chart
Similar to above matrix
In this case, Also give weightage to each factor
Ensure that factors are not counted multiple times
Stimulus for creativity
Reversal approach
Think to make opposite and reverse the approach
For example, think how to aggravate the problem and then reverse the approach
Add adjectives to the problem and see if anything works
Apply what-if scenarios
Sleep on it
While sleeping, remember problem
Combine variables and see if anything works
Explain to others
Contemplate for the second best solution
Develop funny and silly solution
Examine the problem
Chunk up or down
Person who gives idea for problem solving
Vilfredo Pareto
Pareto 80-20 principal
Find all possible reasons for a problem
Solve 20% reasons and it will solve 80% of the problem
Peter Senge
The fifth discipline
Edward Tenner
Why things bite back
Kepner-Tregoe paradigm
When to reject all possibilities
Preparation
Add must have criteria
Add nice to have criteria
Mention all criteria's for nice to have
Risk analysis
Use probability to get actual profit/loss and see what is your choice
If penalty is catastrophe (like loss of life), even 1% risk can't be taken
Good choice will be best combination of risk and pay-off
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