Four Step Problem Solving
What you'll learn
- How to differentiate a problem from an an assumption or a solution.
- How to conduct a root cause analysis using an Ishikawa Diagram.
- The questions to ask when exploring the causes of a problem.
- How to discern the best solution to the cause of your problem.
Requirements
- An ability to objectively identify problems, using just facts and removing assumption and judgement will help a learner be most successful in this course.
Description
This course is based on Corporate Training Workshops that I have been teaching for years on Four Step Problem Solving. Students learn how to accurately name what is going wrong and map out the causes that have led to that issue, by asking the right questions. We use plenty of examples in this course, including a case study with a subject, so you can see how to interview another person about problems in their life.
Thinking critically is at the foundation of knowledge work. Learning the process to conduct a thorough root cause analysis will help you ask the right questions when something goes awry. In this course, we start by clearly defining your problem before we jump into a root cause analysis, then we’ll start creatively generating solutions, and landing on a plan to implement. I also share my best practices on how to lead a problem solving workshop with teams. I’ve been leading Problem Solving sessions for so long that you’ll see me do this work with several different hair colors.
The primary models we use in this course are an Ishikawa Diagram (sometimes called Fishbone Diagram) and an Ease and Impact Matrix. Make sure to download the attached worksheets and use the templates to follow along with your own problems!
Who this course is for:
- Business professionals, especially those who lead teams.
- Individual contributors and workers who must use critical thinking in daily work.
Instructor
- 4.6 Instructor Rating
- 768 Reviews
- 2,826 Students
- 4 Courses
I love creating tools and experiences that enable shared understanding. In 2008, I received a Master’s Degree in Linguistics, which is the study of how we think, communicate, and learn. My career started as a university instructor, but later I transitioned into Corporate Instructional Design for the stability.
As an Instructional Designer working in a time of rapid technological growth, I’ve had to stay ahead of the curve so I could be ready to bring our workforce up to speed. The way we work has changed so drastically in recent years that an Instructional Designer is no longer just a workshop facilitator. My arsenal of learning experiences has become increasingly digital. And -gasp social.
As a result of these changes, I learned to flex my digital muscles to create online videos and elearning courses. This meant getting a camera and learning how to use it. I haven't looked back.