Solving,
Creativity, Problem and
Innovation
IDEO AN EXPERT IN INNOVATION
Model of problem solving
1. Define the problem
2. Generate alternative solutions
3. Evaluate and select an alternative
4. Implement and follow up on the solution
DEFINE THE PROBLEM
If I had an hour to save the
world, I would spend 59 minutes
defining the problem and one
minute finding solutions
Albert Einstein
1. Differentiate a fact from an opinion
A fact supported by evidence
An opinion belief
Compare
A. The economy is in recession (opinion)
B. Based on the data (facts)
2. Specify underlying causes
Dont mistake the symptom for the disease
Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw,
throat, or arm
Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling
(may feel like heartburn)
Sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
Extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness
of breath
How to look for a cause?
5 W hys technique
Start at the end result (symptom)
Work backward continually asking: "Why?"
Repeat over and over until the root cause
of the problem becomes apparent
5 W hys example
Question:
Why is our client
unhappy?
Answer:
Because we did not
deliver our services when
we said we would.
5 W hys example
Question:
Why were we unable to
meet the agreed-upon
timeline or schedule for
delivery?
Answer:
The job took much longer
than we thought it would.
5 W hys example
Question:
Why did it take so much
longer?
Answer:
Because we
underestimated the
complexity of the job.
5 W hys example
Question:
Why did we
underestimate the
complexity the of job?
Answer:
Because we made a
quick estimate of the time
needed to complete it,
and did not list the
individual stages needed
to complete the project.
5 W hys example
Question:
Why didn't we do this?
Answer:
Because we were running
behind on other projects.
We have a problem with
time estimation and
specification
procedures.
5 W hys example summary
Why is our client unhappy? (symptom)
(whys?)
We have a problem with time estimation
and specification procedures (cause)
Cause and Effect Analysis
Fishbone Diagram
Source: www.mindtools.com
3. Tap everyone involved for
information
Different perspectives
Different information
finance, accounting, marketing, shop
floor, management
4. Avoid stating the problem as a
disguised solution
The problem is that we need to motivate
slow employees wrong!
Symptom slow employees
Potential explanations:
Newcomers who need training
Their instruments/machinery are located
ineffectively
They are given the most difficult task
Problem definition characteristics
Differentiate facts from opinions
Specify underlying causes
Tap everyone involved for information
Avoid stating the problem as a disguised
solution
GENERATE ALTERNATIVE
SOLUTIONS
Broad participation
Specify alternatives that
solve the problem
EVALUATE AND SELECT
AN ALTERNATIVE
Evaluate systematically
Cost/Benefit Analysis
Evaluate relative to goals
Grid Analysis
IMPLEMENT AND FOLLOW
UP ON THE SOLUTION
Right timing /
proper sequence
Monitoring system
Feedback :
-How are we doing?
-Whats our progress?