Problem Solving And Much More
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Problem Solving Techniques

The tools in this section help you solve complicated business problems.

By using these techniques, you can start to tackle problems that might otherwise seem huge, overwhelming, and excessively complex.

As such, these tools give you a starting point in solving problems that would leave other people feeling helpless, and intimidated by the situation.

The section starts with some simple complexity skills. It then moves on to look at more powerful, 'industrial strength" techniques like use of Systems Diagrams, SWOT Analysis, Cash Flow Forecasting and Risk Analysis. We conclude with four powerful business strategy tools: Porter's Five Forces, PEST Analysis, Value Chain Analysis and USP Analysis.

Enjoy using these tools!

	Problem Solving Techniques - Start Here!
	Appreciation - Extracting maximum information from facts
	5 Whys - Getting quickly to the root of a problem.
	Cause & Effect Diagrams - Identifying likely causes of problems
	Affinity Diagrams - Organizing ideas into common themes
	Appreciative Inquiry - Solving problems by looking at what's going right
	Flow Charts - Understanding process flows
	Risk Analysis and Risk Management
	SWOT - Analyzing your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
	PEST Analysis - Understanding "big picture" forces of change
	The Marketing Mix and the 4 Ps - Understanding how to position your market offering
	The Ansoff Matrix - Understanding the different risks of different options
	The Boston Matrix - Focusing effort to give the greatest returns
	Porter's Five Forces - Understanding the balance of power in a situation
	Core Competence Analysis - Get ahead. Stay ahead.
	USP Analysis - Finding your competitive edge
	Critical Success Factors - Identifying the things that really matter for success
	The Greiner Curve - Surviving the crises that come with growth
	The McKinsey 7S Framework - Ensuring all parts of your organization work in harmony
Career Excellence Club Member Tools: (How to become a member)
	Using Aides Memoire - Feeding experience back into problem solving
	SIPOC Diagrams - Making sure your change process serves everyone
	Inductive Reasoning - Drawing good generalized conclusions
	Avoiding Logical Fallacies - What they are, and how to avoid them
	Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) - Understanding very complex issues
	Queuing Models - Optimizing service and resources
	Activity-Based Costing (ABC) - Understanding what really drives costs
	CATWOE - Understanding the different elements that contribute to a problem
	Swim Lane Diagrams - Mapping and improving processes in your organization
	Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) - Spotting problems before a solution is implemented
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The first article explains the context into which these tools fit. To read it, click "Next Article" below. Other relevant destinations are shown in the "Extension Resources" list underneath.

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Extension Resources (Not included in the Mind Tools E-book.)

Drill Down - Breaking problems down into manageable parts
The Concept Fan - Widening the search for solutions
Root Cause Analysis - Tracing a problem to its origins
Unblocking Bottlenecks - Fixing unbalanced processes
Systems Diagrams - Understanding the way factors interact
Writing a Procedure - Making sure things are done without mistakes and omissions
Storyboarding - Planning and checking a process as a team
Heuristic Methods - Using rules of thumb
The Straw Man Concept - Build it up, knock it down, create a solid final solution
Simplex - An integrated problem solving process

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