Welcome

It is important to remember that different situations require different solutions.  Even though your ultimate goal or vision is the same, your view of the current situation will very much depend on where you are standing.

Problem solving and root cause analysis is the number 1 skill when it comes to business improvement.  All other tools and approaches are basically the result of trying to solve a problem if you think about it - 5S, Standard Work, Value Stream Mapping, SMED, Six Sigma, Agile etc. etc.

Randomly applying tools is no good unless you understand the problem you are trying to solve first and is not a sustainable approach.

Also, there is no silver bullet/one size fits all solution, you may recognise this from sayings such at "using a sledge hammer to crack a walnut" or "When all you have is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail"

This course looks at 3 areas: Purpose, Process & People

Purpose:

1. Understsanding that problems are a good thing

Once you can see them, you can do something about them to improve

2. Competitive Advantage

Solving problems makes things safer, better, faster and cheaper

3. Develop your People

Better engagement, more interesting work, faster solutions

4. Develop your Business

A learning business will grow and deliver results safer, better, faster and cheaper

Process:

There are 4 key steps to any kind of problem solving:

1. Go and See

treat the problem like a crime scene, the evidence is best when it is still fresh and can give you the best understanding/data

2. Use a scientific Method

Without a structured approach we are just guessing

3. Be Consistent

Follow a PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) approach for rapid trials to test your ideas and lean

4. Strive for your Vision

Take a step towards your ultimate vision, it may take time, but consitently moving forward and putting systems and processes in place so that you dont slip backwards.

To better understand problem solving process it is important to realise that there are 2 types of problem.  They have either been caused (there is a gap from the standard) or created (Raising the bar/standard)

When trying to address these 2 types you will probably find yourself in one of these 4 situations that you may recognise:

1. Caused - Reaction/trouble shooting: 

Reacting to an unexpected event, typically lots of them in a day and you dont need to analyse them much.  Just fix it, everyone can and does do this.

2. Caused - Rapid Problem Solving: 

Gap from standard, fast  but structured approach to problem solving designed to contain and stabilise the process quickly

3. Created - Practical Problem Solving: 

When rapid problem solving does not quite get to the root cause, for current and longer term business issues that require more analysis to get to root cause and establish a more robust standard

4. Created - Proactive Problem Solving: 

For innovative solutions or new proposals and can achiece radical improvement.  Can take time and deep analysis but the results can be a step change in performance.

Each of these situations and problem solving approaches overlap and build upon one another

People: 

1. Consider the organisational Structure

You want everyone, at every level in your business, to be capable of tackling and solving problems at thier level

2. Leaders as Coaches

Leaders responsibility to allocate time to teach and coach problem solving

3. Scientific Thinking

Structured approach to both facitlitate learning and share knowledge withing your business

4. Routines

Set up routines to make sure the above is happening and hold yourself accountable to coaching problem solving at all levels of the business