The Problem-Solving Process

Stages and Skills in the Problem-Solving Process Involves THREE (3) stages Problem Finding Idea Finding Solution Finding

Problem Finding Entrepreneur tries to define the problem by gathering observations, feelings and impressions about the situation The inventive individual will see a problem as an opportunity Fact finding is also an important stage Facts help the entrepreneur define the problem and may provide information that can be used in the solution

Idea Finding The entrepreneur tries to come up with different alternatives or different ways of solving the problem CREATIVITY is the key! No alternative should be dismissed at this stage (all ideas evaluated) Sometimes the craziest ideas lead to the best ventures

Solution Finding When the entrepreneur will evaluate each of the ideas created earlier The entrepreneur needs to establish the CRITERIA that will be used to evaluate each option Criteria are the standards or measures that will be used to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each idea

Cont`d Those ideas that do not meet the criteria are thrown out, the remaining ideas are then ranked until it becomes possible to choose the best solution Process is not complete until a solution has been tried and evaluated to make sure that the problem has been solved If solution does not turn out as expected the entrepreneur must go back a few steps to generate more ideas or select a different solution