What are problems?
[Problem solving home]
We use the
word problem to describe a wide range of situations of
different importance, from the irritation of discovering
that the car battery is flat, to the life threatening failure
of an aircraft engine in mid-air.
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Problems
can be defined broadly as situations in which we
experience uncertainty or difficulty in achieving what we
want to achieve, eg
-
Stopping
smoking is a problem when you decide you want to stop but
cannot.
-
A computer
malfunction is a problem if it prevents you completing work
on time.
-
An
excessive workload is a problem when it interferes with your
ability to work effectively.
- Poor
communication is a problem when it reduces the efficiency of
an organisation.
Problems
arise when an obstacle prevents us reaching an objective,
eg
when a breakdown in a company's manufacturing plant (the
obstacle) prevents it fulfilling orders (the objective).
Objective =
something we have decided we need to achieve.
Obstacle =
anything that prevents us achieving an objective.
objective
+ obstacle = PROBLEM
We encounter
a large variety of problems during the course of our work,
with objectives and obstacles of different types and
importance. Defining these accurately is essential to
finding an effective solution.
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Problems
can be divided broadly into two groups:
Those
where the current situation is not what was expected (known as
closed or maintenance problems)
Those
where we want to change our current situation in some way but
there is an obstacle preventing us doing so (known as
open-ended or achievement problems).
Closed
problems
occur when something has happened that should not have
happened, or something we expected to happen has not
happened, ie there is a deviation from the normal or
expected state of affairs. For example, it could be the
unexpected resignation of a key member of staff, or the
failure of the principal speaker to arrive at a conference.
The cause (or obstacle) may be known or unknown, but
something needs to be done about it. |
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Open-ended
problems
occur when we want to achieve a specific objective but there
are certain obstacles blocking our progress. They can be
subdivided into three groups:
-
where we
are unable to reach our current objective, eg failing to
meet a sales target
-
where our
current objective could be exceeded, eg improved efficiency
-
where a.,
new objective could be achieved through problem solving, eg
creating a new product or service.
Solving
a problem involves finding ways to overcome any obstacles and
to achieve our objective.
Although each
problem is unique in terms of the information involved, and
requires a unique blend of thought processes to find a
solution, all successful problem solving follows a basic
pattern.
Read the next
article
The stages of problem solving
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What are problems?
Further
information
About
ITS
"
One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize
a problem before it becomes an emergency."
Arnold Glasgow
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