This document discusses problem solving skills and decision making. It outlines the steps of problem solving as defining the problem, generating alternatives, choosing the best alternative, and getting feedback. It describes various problem solving tools and techniques like the 5 whys, cause and effect analysis, and CATWOE analysis. It also discusses decision making factors, steps of decision making as establishing objectives, generating alternatives, choosing an alternative, and taking action. Decision making tools like decision matrices, paired comparison, and decision trees are presented. Overall, the document provides an overview of problem solving and decision making processes, challenges, and analytical methods.

1. Problem Solving Skills
Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.
– Henry Kaiser (American industrialist)

2. Outline
 Why do we need problem solving mind?
 What is a problem?
 Steps of problem solving.
 Problem solving tools and techniques.

3. Why do we need problem solving
mind

4. Problem
bro??

5. What is a problem?
A problem is a situation that needs to be dealt with.

6. Steps of Problem Solving
Defining
the
Problem
Generating
Alternatives
Choosing
the best
alternative
Feedback

7. 1st Defining the
problem
“If I had an hour to solve a problem I'd spend 55 minutes
thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about
solutions.”
-Albert Einstein

8. How to define a problem?
The 5 whys
Cause &
Effect
Analysis
CATWOE

9. The 5 whys tool
It is simply asking
“why” until finding
the real cause of
the problem

11. Benefits of the 5 whys
 Simple technique
 Flexible
 Offers counter measures rather than
causes.
 Uncovers the deepest causes of the
problem

12. The Cause & Effect tool

13. How to use the tool?
 Identify the problem.
 Work out the major factors involved.
 Identify possible causes for each of the
factors.
 Analyze the diagram.

15. The CATWOE analysis
Used to identify what the business is trying to achieve,
what are the problem areas and how is the solution going
to affect the business and people involved in it.

16. Clients
• Who is on the receiving end?
• What problem do they have now?
• How will they react to what you are proposing?
• Who are the winners and losers?
Actors
• Who will carry out the solution?
• What is the impact on them?
• How might they react?
Transformation
• What is the process for transforming inputs into outputs?
• What are the inputs? Where do they come from?
• What are the outputs? Where do they go to?
• What are all the steps in between?

17. World View
• What is the bigger picture?
• What is the real problem you are working on?
• What is the wider impact of any solution?
The Owner
• Can they help you or stop you?
• What would cause them to get in your way?
• What would lead them to help you?
Environmental constraints
• What are the boarder constraints of your idea?
• Resources limit, code of ethics and other constraints.
• What are the effects on your idea, can you bypass them?

18. Understanding Complexity
A problem Varies from a simple small problem to a complex and big problem.

19. How to simplify things?
Affinity
Diagram
Cause &
Effect
Diagram
Flow Chart

20. Affinity Diagrams Sample

22. Problem Solving Process
Using Tools and Techniques to help you more in solving the problem
•Simplex Inquiry
•Appreciative Inquiry
•Soft Systems
Methodology

23. Decision Making Skills
“Perhaps our greatest distinction as a species is our
capacity, unique among animals, to make counter-
evolutionary choices.”

24. Factors that affects decision
making
 Uncertainty
 Complexity
 High-risk consequences
 Alternatives
 Interpersonal issues

25. Steps of decision making
Creating a
constructive
environment
Generating,
exploring &
choosing
alternatives
Checking &
verifying
decision
Action &
communication

26. Creating a constructive environment
Creating a productive environment for generating alternatives.

27. Establishing
the
objective
Agree on
the process
Involving
the right
people
Ask the
right
questions
Use
Creativity
tools

28. Generating Ideas
Looking at the problem from different angles, always tell yourself that:” there
must be another solution out there.”

29. How to Generate Ideas?
 Brainstorming & reverse brainstorming
 Charette procedure
 Crawford Slip Writing Technique
 Concept fan Technique
 Affinity Diagrams

30. Crawford Slip Writing Technique

31. Exploring Alternatives
We analyze and evaluate alternatives in terms of risk, implication & validation

32. Tools & techniques of Analysis
Risk
analysis
• Threats associated
• Probabilities
• Worst case scenario technique
Implication
analysis
• Six Thinking hats
• Impact Analysis
Validation
analysis
• Star bursting technique
• Force field analysis
• Cost benefit analysis

34. The Starbursting technique

35. Choosing the best alternative
It is the step of making the “decision”
“When your values are
clear to you, making
decisions becomes
easier.”
Roy E. Disney

36. Tools & techniques of choosing
Decision
matrix
Paired
comparison
analysis
Decision
Trees
Voting

37. Decision Tree Sample

39. Checking & verifying the choice
It is a crucial step, which involves testing, error finding and applicability of the
choice

40. Taking action
The final step in decision making process, is to communicate the results and take
action, in executing the “solution” to the problem.

41. Mounir Rafik Aziz
&
Kamal El Refy