Ask yourself the questions. Does your organisation do these things?

Are all staff are made aware that it is the organisation's policy to promote and support originality and innovation? Can people can follow their ideas through from conception to execution?  Does the organisation successfuly operates schemes to promote problem solving activities eg a suggestion scheme, quality circles? Is there is good communication between ranks? Are people are given a large amount of responsibility for their work? Is reasonable risk-taking is encouraged? Are people are more concerned with new ideas than with defending their turf? Are good ideas are rewarded, either by recognition, promotion or financially?

Are there are no barriers to commu­nication between departmental functions? Are there are no barriers to using resour­ces from other departments? Are mistakes are tolerated in the cause of innovation? Does the organisation makes a high invest­ment in providing good facilities and pleasant surroundings?  Is specific training for problem solving is available to staff? Are resources are set aside specifically for people to develop new ideas?

Remember

• Effective problem solving requires a stimulating  and supportive environment.
• Aspects of the organisation's policies and procedures, the style of management and the physical environment can help or hinder problem solving.
• Whatever your role, you can help to create an environment which encourages and supports effective problem solving.

Read the next article  So what's the problem?