Introducing 1 David Mitchko NE-II-108 Eagle Patrol

Problem Solving and Decision Making

LEARNING OBJECTIVES As a result of this session, you will be able to: Analyze a problem and submit it to a systematic problem-solving process. Understand the relationship between problem solving and project management. Put into action many of the skills and ideas learned during the Wood Badge course. Prepare yourselves for the upcoming Problem Solving Round-Robin. 3

The Five Steps of team-based project management planning… 1.Project overview 2.Work breakdown structure 3.Activity assignments 4.Action on the plan 5.Closeout report …are too involved for problem solving 4

FIVE STEPS OF SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM SOLVING 1.Describe the problem. 2.Gather information. 3.Determine the most important factors that contribute to the problem. 4.Visualize what success looks like. 5.Create action steps that will lead to that success. 5

1.Describe the problem Do this as accurately and completely as possible. The better you can describe the problem, the more quickly you can solve it 6

2. Gather information Quantitative - facts that can be measured Qualitative - how people feel about situation 7

3.Determine the most important factors that contribute to the problem. Figure out what is causing the problem – Is it timing, personnel or the setting? Or perhaps a combination of all three? 8

Describe how things will be when the problem is solved and everything is working well. Don’t cloud your vision Focus on what really matters 9 4. Visualize what success looks like

5. Create action steps that will lead to that success. Do not skip step 4 Close gap between current situation and your visualization of success Only concern yourself with getting from the current situation to your vision Focus you energy on going forward and not reliving the past. 10

ADVANTAGES OF SYSTEMATICALLY SOLVING PROBLEMS Using these five steps saves time. Increases the odds of success. Teams solve problems more quickly & efficiently. 11

FORMING SOLUTIONS AND MAKING DECISIONS 12 Brainstorming Consensus Multi-Voting Parking Lot

FORMING SOLUTIONS AS A GROUP Brainstorming 1. Encourage everyone to participate. 2. Think outside the box. 3. Piggyback ideas. 4. Consider how similar problems have been solved in the past. 13

MOVING A GROUP FORWARD Consensus 1.Team works in atmosphere of trust and agrees to abide by group agreement. 2.Possible solutions assessed & evaluated to see if they fit vision of success. 3.Give consensus decision a trial run before finalizing it. 14

MAKING A MORE FORMAL GROUP DECISION Multi-Voting 1.Each team member has an equal number of votes. 2.If sorting list, members rank items; if reducing list, members cast out poorest choices. 3.Cast votes, total scores, repeat if necessary. 15

PUTTING GOOD IDEAS AND ISSUES ASIDE PUTTING GOOD IDEAS AND ISSUES ASIDE Parking Lot 1.Acknowledge that issue is not immediately relevant. 2.Write brief description of the issue for discussion at later time. 16

PROBLEM SOLVING ROUND ROBIN Group puzzles and games Practice your leadership skills Think as a team Quickly analyze the problem and decide what your steps are to success. It will put a lot of what you have been learning in the course to the test HAVE FUN! 17

LEARNING OBJECTIVES As a result of this session, you should be able to: Analyze a problem and submit it to a systematic problem-solving process. Understand the relationship between problem solving and project management. Put into action many of the skills and ideas learned during the Wood Badge course. Prepare yourselves for the upcoming Problem Solving Round-Robin. 18

19 Thank You! Have Fun!