Problem solving & Team Work
Dr. Rajaa A. Mahmoud
2022

Learning Objectives
By the end of the session, trainees will be able to:
Describe & Use the
“Problem Solving approaches”
Know the advantages of
Problem solving as a “Team”
Define “Problem”
Define “Problem Solving”

What is a Problem?
• A problem: something causing trouble or
difficulty
• It is an unsatisfactory situation
that needs to be dealt with.

When to say that we have
a Problem?
An obstacle to achieve any goal
Goal
Problem

What is “Problem Solving” ? -1
• It is a systematic approach to define the problem
and create possible solutions.
• The act of narrowing down the possibilities,
choosing a option of action, and determine the
action’s possible consequences.

What is “Problem Solving” ? -2
• Is a mental process directed to achieve a goal
where no previous solution was obvious to the
problem solver.
• Is the ability to work through problems by using
critical thinking skills to arrive at a solution.

Problem solving as a “Team”
• In the workplace teams have
to solve problems every
single day.
• Problem solving as a team improves the chances of
coming up with the best solution.
• When people work together they can share ideas &
choose the best one to solve the problem.

“If I were given one hour to save the
planet, I would spend 59 minutes defining
the problem and one minute resolving it”
Albert Einstein

Problem Solving Approaches-1
• What are the facts (current problem)?
• What worked well? What can be
improved?
Where are we
now?
• What do we want to achieve (goal)?
• What is the expected outcome?
Where are we
going?
• What steps must we take to ensure we
reach the outcome?
• Who are the key members of team
How will we get
there?
• Is there support for solving the problem?
• What barriers must we overcome in
order to reach our goal?
What is holding
us back?

Problem Solving Approaches-2

Problem Solving Approaches-3-PDCA

PLAN
• Collect data
• Analyze the data,
• Understand the problem
• Problem Statement
• SMART Goal, Aim Statement
• Plan the solution: start with small steps and
adjust in cycles
• DO

CHECK Results-Outcomes
• Results
• Lessons learned?
ACT
• Determine next steps
• Sustainability plan
Repeat

Problem Solving Approaches-4

Example?

Why Am I Late For Work?
Problem Statement: I was late for work 3 times this week
1. Why were you late for work?
– Because I stopped to get coffee on my way
2. Why did you stop for breakfast?
– Because I did not have time to make breakfast
3. Why didn’t you have time to make breakfast?
– Because I overslept
4. Why did you oversleep?
– Because I stayed up late
5. Why did you stay up late?
– Because I stayed watching my favorite TV series late
every night

Problem Solving Approaches-5
Cause & Effect- Ishikawa- Fishbone
• A graphic tool used to explore the possible
causes of a problem.

Fishbone Charts: the 4Ms – 4 Ps
• Manpower/Personnel
• Materials
• Method(s)
• Machines / Equipment
• People
• Process
• Policy
• Principles

Let’s have an exercise

Ishikawa Diagram of ER Prolonged
Wait Times
Materials Methods/Process
Manpower/People MachineEquipment
WHY? WHY?
WHY? WHY?
xxx hr
waiting time
in ER

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Problem Solving Approaches-6
Tree diagram/Problem tree

Why Use “Problem Root Cause Analysis” ?
• Provides in-depth information on the problem,
leading to a better understanding of all the
interconnected issues causing it, & initiating
problem solving measures.
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Advantages of RCA- 2
• It helps closely examine the problem by dissecting
it into manageable pieces and establishing links
between these pieces.
• It can help in developing
a multi-pronged strategy
to deal with the different
aspects of the problem
and thus ensure absolute
success
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Advantages of RCA- 3
• Ensures that every
aspect of the problem is
taken into
consideration,
irrespective of its
relative importance.
This means the chances
of the problem solving
plan falling back are
nearly negligible.
3/17/11
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Let's have a brain storming exercise

Exercise 1: Lets do problem tree analysis
for a headache problem of an employee
at your workplace.

Exercise 2:

Exercise 3:

References
• Duke Okes. Root Cause Analysis. The Core of
Problem Solving and Corrective Action.
Second Edition, 2019.
• Nancy R. Tague. The Quality Toolbox. Second
Edition, 2005.
• Donald W. Benbow Ali Zarghami. Introduction
To 8D Problem Solving: Including Practical
Applications and Examples, 2017.