[[Notes]] - Topics: [[Problem-solving]] - People: Decision Skills - Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOjTJAFyNrU --- ## Summary - Apply the acronym I.D.E.A. to solve problems. Identify, develop, execute, and assess. - Problem solving effectively requires the understanding of the causes and effects. - Follow the symptoms to find the root. [[Follow the effects to find the cause]]. (Use the [[5 whys]]) - Problem solving is interweaving sequences of events to steer the flow of time towards a more desirable direction. - [[Problem solving is our best attempt at controlling time]]. - [[Time flows forever forward. Problem solving strives to create paths for time to follow.]] ## Notes - "Ideas are what ultimately transform our world." - I.D.E.A. is an acronym that can be easily remembered and applied for solving problems. - The acronym: - I: Identify (Problem) - D: Develop (Solution) - E: Execute (Plan) - A: Assess (Result of plain) - To identify the problem, you must understand he root cause if it, not just the observed symptoms. - Knowing the root cause of a problem can guide your solution, even if your immediate solution only serves to solve superficial symptoms to start. - Follow the symptoms to find the root. [[Follow the effects to find the cause]]. - A common technique to help dive deeper into the network of symptoms is to continuously ask ourselves why ([[5 whys]]) . - The compounding effect of asking why creates a chain reaction of observed or hypothetical effects. At the end of the chain is the theorized cause. - Why -> Why -> Why -> Why -> Why -> Reason. - [[Ask why enough and you'll eventually discover the reason]]. - For more complex problems, it may help to leverage tools like mind maps / spider diagrams to more easily see, trace, and and follow **effects and causes**. - Develop potential solutions informed by the effects and causes. - Choose the best solution - the one that will maximize the return of time and resources. - Methods for choosing a solution include: - Pro's and con's - Weighted rubric - SWOT analysis - Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. - After choosing a solution, we need to develop goals that we can execute. - Well structured goals are SMART - Specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, and time bound. - **Goals must be actionable**. Otherwise, they are just ideas - a what without a how. - Execute on the tasks of your goal - specific actions designed to achieve your solution. - You must assess the causes and effect of your solution in relation to the cause and effect of the problem. - Problem solving is interweaving sequences of events to steer time towards a more favourable outcome. - [[Problem solving is our best attempt at controlling time]]. - For very complex goals, we may need to convert tasks to projects, which can then be managed by project management tools like Gaant charts. - When assessing your solution, return to the beginning. Examine the effects your solution had on the problem. - If the problematic effects are still present, then the solution was ineffective. - When the problematic effects are unchanged or made worse, revisit your problem solving process and troubleshoot based on this information. - For complex problems, we can use assessment tools such as: - Surveys, tests, analytics, and focus groups. - The assess phase is where we learn, grow, and move forward. - [[You can always find something from nothing]]. Nothing is a result. ## Original ![[How to solve a problem in 4 steps-1.jpg]] ![[How to solve a problem in 4 steps-2.jpg]] ![[How to solve a problem in 4 steps-3.jpg]] ![[How to solve a problem in 4 steps-4.jpg]]