Are you familiar with techniques for problem solving?

Problem solving arises when an organism or an artificial intelligence system does not know what direction should pass to go from one location to the other one or what it should do.

Finding the problem and correct definition of the problem and shaping it is one of the most important issues in the process of problem solving. There are different strategies to find, define and diagnose the problem that are as follows:

Abstraction: Briefing and separating the details from general features and separation of  related issues and examining the issues apart from issues related  to them is one of these strategies and its  advantages is that its useful to manage the complexity of the issue.

Extracting the important contents and general features from details to correctly identify and define the problem.

Analogy: In this strategy, the solution is used that has previously solved a similar problem.

Brainstorming: It is usually in a group, and in the group different persons put forward their proposed solutions and comments and the best solution will be found by reviewing or combining different solutions.

Divide and conquer: Breaking the big and complex problems into more solvable and smaller problems.

Hypothesis testing: Considering the solutions we try to prove that this is the correct solution.

Lateral thinking: Achieving the best solution through innovation and adopting different perspectives concerning the issue.

Means-ends analysis: The current situation and the position of our desired goal are evaluated and by selecting appropriate activities, the distance between the current position and the goal gets closer.

The method of focal objects: By combining factors and characters of different subjects that are apparently irreconcilable with other factors, we make a new problem.

Morphological analysis: Evaluating the output and interactions of the whole system that has come down with a problem.

Proof: WE try to prove that the problem is unsolvable and wherever and for any reason, we got to the point that we could not prove it, the same point will be used to solve the problem.

Reduction: Changing a problem to the other problem we can solve it. The difference between this method with Analogy is that in Reduction method we will focus on the problem and finding the similar problem, but in Analogy method, our focus is on solutions and we look for the right solution from the previous available solutions.

Research: Using available ideas or adaptation of available solutions to solve similar problems.

Root cause analysis: Identifying the reasons and the cause of the event of a problem.

Trial-and-error: Testing available solutions to finding

Problem-solving methods

Eight-step problem solving: These techniques have been provided by Ford Motor Company and are more focused on solving the problems related to products and processes, and the steps are as follows:

D0; planning: Plan to solve the problem and determine the prerequisites for it.

D1; Create a Team: creating a team of people who have knowledge of the production process.

D2; Describe the Problem: Specifying the problem by identifying the measurable conditions and measuring with responding to the following questions: Who? , what? Where? What time? , Why? How? , How much?

D3; Planning for creating gap and keep the problem away from development conditions and company customers.

D4; Identify the causes that could explain why the problem has been created and why we did not realize it at the time of occurrence of the problem? All causes should be investigated. To draw up the reasons we can use the “5 Why?” or fishbone diagram (Ishikawa diagram).

D5; continuous reviewing of problems and solving minor problems

D6; defining and implementing the best corrective action

D7; Prevent the recurrence of the system problems and reform management systems, operating systems, practices and guidelines to prevent the recurrence of similar problems.

D8; Recognize and appreciate the team efforts.

D8; It is one of the standard techniques in the automotive, assembly and other industries that have a team approach.

One of the other problem-solving techniques is GROW model that GROW stands for Goal, Reality, Options or Obstacles and Way Forward. In this model, we specify that we want to reach where. What is the goal and desired situation and where is the current reality or current position and then we examine various ways and options and possible obstacles in the way of achieving the goal and then to move we need Way Forward so that we change the options and choices into executable steps to reach the goal.

Other techniques that can be used to solve the problems are as the following:

OODA loop that stands for orient, observe, decide and act and it is a cycle to make decisions and it can be used to make decisions on the problems; in this cycle, orient, observe, decide and act are done respectively.

The other method of solving problems and continuous improvement is A3 problem solving that for the first time it was used by Toyota Company. It is also called SPS (Systematic Problem Solving) that is based on principles of PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) of Edwards Deming. A3 is divided into several stages which it is generally done in 8 steps below:

1. Describing the problem, a basic understanding of the problem (the planning stage in Deming Cycle Plan) 2- Breaking or the separation of problem, clarification of the problem (the Plan step). At this step, to better draw up the problem we can use the 5w, 2H questions (what, where, when, why, who, how, how much).
2. Finding the starting point of a problem or cause of problem and setting goals (the plan step)
3. Curbing the problem (the Plan step)
4. Finding the interface of cause and effect, using the Ishikawa diagram (the Plan step)
5. Following up for taking action, doing corrective action (the Do step)
6. Reviewing and confirming the result (the Check step)
7. Sharing successful enforcement actions

TRIZ is one of the other problem-solving tools and techniques; it has been derived from repetitive patterns. TRIZ has other various names, including the (creative problem solving methodology or methodology of innovative and inventive problem solving. TRIZ is a Russian acronym that is called in English as TIPS (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving). However, TRIZ has become popular in many countries. Since 1946, it was established by the Altshuler, a Russian scientist, according to the results of the study of various inventions. TRIZ is mostly used for solving technical issues; however, it is used in complex management problems, particularly in cost savings.

Research shows that the TRIZ of 70 to 300 percent accelerates generating ideas for new products and services and improving quality. Using TRIZ, by a systematic method we can have access to the extract of all solutions to problems that humanity has had and according to the concept of TRIZ, we find that all the problems have already been resolved in some way and by not using TRIZ much time will be wasted.

TRIZ knowledge states that the invention issue is associated with contradiction and problem solving (e.g. invention) occurs when the contradiction is resolved.

Contradictions are divided into two general categories below:

Technical contradiction: A conflicting relationship between the characteristics of a system, in other words, contradiction between the two subsystems it; for example, increasing the diameter of the pipe (which increases its strength and is desirable) increases the weight of the pipe. As another example, increasing the quality of X product will increase its price.

Physical contradiction: It is coordination and conflict simultaneously. In this case, a change in the system simultaneously leads to a positive result and at the same time leads to a negative result. For example, increasing the speed of transport reduces safety and increases the risk of accident and injury. Knowledge of TRIZ provides 40 principles for inventions or solving problems and resolving contradictions.