1. Collaborative Problem Solving
International Facility Management Association
July 11, 2013

2. An Introduction Purpose:
Discover strategies supporting collaborative problem solving

3. Collaborative Problem Solving
Learning Benefits of Collaborative Problem Solving

4. Collaborative Problem Solving Benefits:
Individual
Team Building
Organization

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. Tool 2: Collaborative Learnings
Water Cooler Conversations
Phone Call

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

11. 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.

12. 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.

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

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

15. 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.

16. Additional Problem Solving Tools
Forcefield Analysis
Fishbone Diagram
Flowchart

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

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

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

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

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

22. 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

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

24. Collaborative Problem Solving
QUESTIONS

25. 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