For every problem, there is a perfect solution. Now, since perfect is a relative term, that means that every problem has many solutions, and your job is to act on the best one. Here's the basic process that will maximize your chances of succeeding:
1. Start off with a "can-do" attitude
You are not investing your efforts into this problem for nothing. You are in it because you mean to achieve certain results. There is no option of failure. Don't worry about how to do it. If you know what you're after and keep on going after it, eventually you'll get it.
2. Identify the Problem
To solve any problem, you need to know what you're working with. Use questions to clarify the situation. The 5 W's are a good start:
- Who?
- What?
- Where?
- When?
- Why?
3. Identify the Desired Outcome
As simple as this seems, most people dive into action without knowing for sure what it is that they're after. You won't get what you want unless you know what that is. So, right after determining what you have to work with, figure out what you want out of it.
4. Brainstorm New Ideas
This is a topic that should have a book in it's own right, but here are a few suggestions to get you started. Feel free to mix and match:
- Consider the ideal solution. Don't worry about it's practicality yet. Just determine what a solution would be like if it achieved all of the desired outcomes. Maybe it's not as far off as it initially seems.
- Examine your resources and what combinations you can make with them.
- Remember that the typical use is not the only one. A gun can fire bullets, but it can also be used as if it were a rock.
- Take advantage of any patterns that you recognize.
- Break things apart.
- Combine things together.
- Modify what you already have.
5. Select Your Best Options
Of the ideas you came up with, determine the 2-3 best ones and rank them. Think of the best one as Plan A. If it doesn't work, you switch over to plan B, and if plan B doesn't work, you move on to plan C. All three should be equally likely to succeed, but the first one you try is the one that has least consequences.
6. Consider Potential Problems
Fact of life: The unexpected can and often times does happen. Will it be a concrete wall, or a mere hurdle? If you anticipate the possibility of a problem, and know how you will react to it, then your success becomes independent of whether or not that setback comes up.
One way to figure out potential weaknesses is to role-play and step into the shoes of your worst enemy. If your enemy wanted to cripple you, where would he strike? In other words, look for your critical points and areas of potential weakness. On a side note, figure out what your team will do if all three plans fail.
Regrouping is an idea.
7. Figure Out the Design Details
You have a general idea of how to get what you want. Now you need to fill in the gaps and figure out the details that will let you put everything into action. Specifics are key.
A common engineering practice is to make everything actually capable of performing 110% of what's marked. This leaves breathing room in case of the unexpected.
8. Prepare Necessary Resources
If you have everything you need, great! Get it all together and have it ready for use. If you don't have everything you need for your plan to work, go out and get it. If you have a team, get the most qualified person to get it.
Most qualified means that he's not needed more elsewhere and he's skilled enough to come back alive with the goods. You always want to be ready, so know what to do if something comes up. It's often helpful to have backups/spares in case something happens to your primary resources.
9. Act on Solution
You set yourself up for success. You've got alternatives and you know you have options of how you want to succeed. Now do it. Go get those results you were after. If at first you don't succeed, try again. This is called perseverance. If you want it bad enough, your actions will show it.
10. Evaluate Performance
A common procedure in the military, and one useful just about everywhere else too is to do follow-ups on performance. Did you achieve all of your objectives? If not, how come? What went well?
What didn't go well? Why?
Reflecting on how you did allows you to keep doing what's helpful and fix what's getting in the way. If you make this a habit (whether writing a formal report or just making mental notes) this will make you a better problem-solver, increasing your ability to handle future problems.
Although some steps may appear unimportant for everyday tasks, they are each critically important for when you need solid results. This procedure will make sure that you do your best and that you have everything you need to get the job done.
