INTRODUCTION
Much of what managers and supervisors do is solve problems and make decisions. They often make solving problems and decisions by reacting to them. They are “under the gun”, stressed and very short for time. Consequently, when they encounter a new problem or decision they must make, they react with a decision that seemed to work before. It’s easy with this approach to get stuck in a circle of solving the same problem over and over again.
Not all problems can be solved and decisions made can be followed with open heart and with professionalism. This one day course will give a basic guidelines to get you started in solving problems. There are various methods for solving problems for various kinds of situations. After you have practiced them a few times, they will become second nature to you, enough to make you experienced and enrich to suit your own needs.
EXPECTED RESULTS
This short program is designed to help participants to identify whether problems really exist for them to give attention, valued and acted upon.
They will also be assisted to recognize and choose the best methods of solving problems and decide for various situations according to the organization’s need.
As a result, they will be able to justify decisions that they make in accordance to their jurisdiction and job responsibility and not to aggravate matters beyond their circle of liability.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
1. Understanding problems and making decisions.
2. Developing skills and techniques in solving problems.
3. Strengthening individuals analytical capability.
PROGRAM OUTLINES
• Recognizing problems.
• Tools for solving problems.
• Guidelines in problem solving.
• Problems worksheet
Recognizing Problems
There are chains of events that create problems. More often than not, problems started when the mind is not alert or purposely overlooked. This human error is very costly to any organization. In the domino effect, one simple problem can lead to many complicated problems. To recognize problems we need to require special skills.
Contents;
1. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is a part of QA which ensures that the products are consistently produced and controlled to the quality standards appropriate to their intended use.
2. Non Compliance to the quality system. Categories of the non-compliance is grouped under critical, major and others.
3. Contributory Negligence to the production flow. Attributed to human errors in communication, attitudes, competency, industrial fitness and human management.
4. Out Of Specification (OOS) from the norms. If you cannot measure you cannot manage.
Tools For Solving Problems
Many methods are designed to help us in making decisions in business or personal life. Organization’s are run by various processes. In automotive manufacturing set up such as Perodua, there are human problems, flow process problems and there are also technological problems. Identifying which tool is appropriate in solving problems that occurred is imperative in getting the job done.
Contents;
1. Extracting maximum information from facts - Appreciation.
2. Quickly getting to the root of a problem - 5 Whys.
3. Identifying possible causes of problems - Cause & Effect Diagrams.
4. Solving problems by looking at what's going right - Appreciative Inquiry.
5. Understanding the way factors affect one-another - Systems Diagrams.
6. Methods of Risk Analysis.
7. Analyzing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats - SWOT Analysis.
8. Understanding the big picture - PEST Analysis.
9. Understanding how to position your market offering - The Marketing Mix and the 4 Ps.
10. Understanding the different risks of different options - The Ansoff Matrix.
11. Get ahead. Stay ahead - Core Competence Analysis.
12. Crafting your competitive edge - USP Analysis.
Guidelines In Problem Solving
In general, most problem solving methods used a basic guidelines. Situational approached in solving problems make problems solving differ from one to another. This basic guideline in problem solving provides a simple rule from identifying a problem to making decision.
Contents;
1. Pre requisite of a problem solver.
• Communication must be clear and truthful to the problems; both giver and acceptor.
• Assertiveness. Being firm on the inquisition and the findings is important in making decisions.
• Attitudes. Attitudes make or break any organizations. The correct attitudes produce good quality products.
• Competency. You must be knowledgeable to recognize, analyze and suggest solutions.
• Confidence level. Being able to report findings with confident is imperative in making decisions.
• Work culture. Setting up a no blame culture.
2. Preparing For Problem Solving. Before you start to solve a problem, there are a couple of things you need to consider. The right set up, the team and the problems.
3. Basic Guidelines.
• Define the problem.
• Look at the potential cause of the problem.
• Identify alternative for approaches to solve the problem.
• Select an approach to resolve the problem.
• Action plan.
• Monitor the implementation of the plan.
• Verify if the problem has been resolve or not.
• Documentation.
Problems Worksheet
This is an activity for participants to workout a problem and how to make decision on the problem per se.
Contents;
Simulated problems in the light of the selected industries given for participants to resolve with pre selected tools chosen as basis for problems solving.