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How
to solve problems for better outcomes.
 
You
want the big idea to sit high atop a very solid foundation.
When
you solve problems from the bottom up, the big idea or ideal solution
always rests on
a very solid foundation, with little if anything overlooked.
If
you fall into the 'solution first, justify later' trap, the only
way your solution will succeed is either by sheer luck (might happen) or
genius (rarely happens).
If
you work bottom up, everything you do is justified, the solution is nearly
guaranteed to work, and you'll almost always arrive at the best solution
faster.
This works in every aspect of business, in any industry, and for life
issues as well.
Try
this problem solving method:
1.
Research
Start without any preconceptions or personal preferences, with an entirely
open mind. Try to forget everything you may already know. Make every
effort to learn
everything you can that has any relation whatsoever to the problem.
2.
Goals and objectives
Determine your exact goals and objectives based upon a realistic
assessment of the situation that you should have been able to gather in
step 1.
3.
Ideal Solution Criteria
List
every possible positive attribute the solution could have in an ideal
world without disregarding any aspect or property. Remain extremely
open-minded.
4.
Develop a Library of Options
Based
on what you now know from research and investigation in step 1, write down
or draw every possible option that could have any or all of the properties
of the Ideal Solution Criteria list from step 3. Remain extremely
open-minded.
5.
Analyze and assess.
Use
your list of Ideal Solution Criteria to judge each option in the Library
of Options you have developed. Determine the options that meet most or all
of the criteria.
6.
Choose the best ideas and concepts to refine.
Take
the best options and refine them in order to better meet the Ideal
Solution Criteria or to better meet your goals and objectives.
Even
if your first thought turns out to be best, the 'criteria wringer' will
confirm that it meets all of the goals and objectives with little if
anything overlooked.
7.
Execute the big idea or ideal solution, knowing it is the right idea.
You
now know you have made the right choice.
Why solve problems and develop solutions this way?
-
Judge
concepts and ideas far more effectively
-
Avoid
preconceptions, personal
preference, gut feeling
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Make
discoveries
-
Develop
better and stronger ideas and concepts
-
Understand
the real problem
-
Avoid
overlooking important details
-
Avoid
risk while being more assured of positive outcomes
-
Avoid
jumping to conclusions and/or making assumptions
Let
us help you think.
In
the business world, a great deal of money is invested in ideas and
concepts.
Success or failure rests on making all the right
choices, which is what we help do.
Please
drop us a note with your comments about
this page.
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