Collaborative Problem Solving International Facility Management Association July 11, 2013

An Introduction Purpose: Discover strategies supporting collaborative problem solving

Collaborative Problem Solving Learning Benefits of Collaborative Problem Solving

Collaborative Problem Solving Benefits: Individual Team Building Organization

Collaborative Problem Solving Multiple Strategies Choose a strategy based on the on significance of problem; individuals and resources; timeframe Revisit Solutions and fine-tune as needed

Tool 1: Cognitive Reframing Individual strategy Cognitive reframing consists of changing the way people see things and trying to find alternative ways of viewing ideas, events, situations.

Tool 1: Cognitive Reframing Example: Problem Statement: The staff meeting always runs late. Opportunity Statement: “In what way can I…?” Did You Know? “How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself – so always think positively.” – Norman Vincent Peale

Tool 2: Collaborative Learning 1:1 Strategy Collaborative learning is a situation in which two or more people learn or attempt to learn something together; gather facts and feedback.

Tool 2: Collaborative Learning Emails Water Cooler Conversations Phone Call

Tool 3: Brainstorming Group Strategy Department or Organization problems Generate and prioritize feedback Benefits: maximum involvement, diversity of thought, enhanced creativity

Tool 3: Brainstorming What is Brainstorming? 1. A method of shared problem solving in which all members of a group spontaneously contribute ideas. 2. A similar process undertaken by a person to solve a problem by rapidly generating a variety of possible solutions.

Tool 3: Brainstorming Power of this strategy is managing the people and process of the meeting. Preparation Action: 1. Who & When strategy defined? The leader prior to meeting 2. Who is involved? All those impacted stakeholders and decision makers 3. Communicate Problem? Prior to the Meeting 4. Set Ground Rules Phones, breaks, participation, no bad ideas 5. Meeting Preparation Agenda, relevant documents, data; flip charts, etc.

Tool 4: Six Step Process Group strategy Department/organization problems Maintain a systematic process Benefits: maximum involvement and data-driven results

Tool 4: Six-Step Process A systematic framework to help a group through the identification and implementation of a solution.

Tool 4: Six-Step Process Identify the problem. Analyze the problem. Develop a Solution with “end in mind” Implement a solution. Evaluate the results. Standardize the process. www.leandjourney.com

Additional Problem Solving Tools Forcefield Analysis Fishbone Diagram Flowchart

Additional Tool Fishbone Diagram Sorts potential causes for a problem, so causes can be fixed or eliminated

Collaborative Strategies ACTIVITY: Select the Collaborative strategy or tool to use in each scenario.

Collaborative Strategies Scenario: Team Performance: A Leader is not happy with team’s efforts in meeting a desired goal.

Collaborative Strategies Scenario: Team Performance: A Leader is not happy with team’s efforts in meeting a desired goal. Tool: Brainstorming

Collaborative Strategies Scenario: Budget Cuts: Due to company budget cuts the department may need to reduce its travel budget.

Collaborative Strategies Scenario: Budget Cuts: Due to company budget cuts the department may need to reduce its travel budget. Tool: Cognitive Reframing; Brainstorming, Six-Step Process

Creativity in Collaboration Creativity is useful during any phase of problem solving, helpful tips may include: Encourage Participation Eliminate Judgmental Thinking Explore Possibilities

Collaborative Problem Solving QUESTIONS

Related Reading Collaborative Intelligence: Using teams to solve hard problems. Author: JR Ackman How to Make Collaboration Work: Powerful ways to build consensus, solve problems and make decisions. Author: D Strauss