A client requesting changes is the most common scenario in every Business Analysts life. Naturally, as professionals that are fuelled (mostly) by problem-solving and (more importantly) by coffee, our first instinct is to provide solutions to whatever problem may be a hindrance in the future.
While working out new solutions for them is not really a difficult task for our customer-service spirited very meticulous heart, we’ve found that one must rein in the instinct to problem solve and ask – WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? WHAT ARE WE LOOKING TO SOLVE?
More often than not we surpass the ‘boring’ Problem Identification and instantaneously enter the adrenaline-inducing Problem solving mode.
Here, is the gap between developing solutions that are wanted v/s designing the solutions that are needed. Granted that it’s never easy to identify the real problem, but it’s worth investing our time and energy into. This is the only way discovered so far, to deliver a solution that provides actual value to the end users.
Understanding The Real Problem: The Most Important First Step In Rational Problem-Solving.
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when defining a problem:
- The 5-Why Analysis: The 5-Why analysis is a problem-solving technique that involves asking “why” at least five times to identify the root cause of a problem. Never, ever assume that the reasons stated for a change is the presented problem itself. Define a concrete ‘why’ to effectively get to the heart of the issue.
- The One Big Question: Break down complex requirements into simpler elements until only one question remains. That’s the problem you need to find a solution for.
- The Root Cause: A problem may be caused by another, underlying problem – it’s inception all over again! The job is to identify the very crux that causes all these.
- A Holistic Approach: Taking insights from multiple perspectives help ensure that all angles are considered, leading to more effective solutions. This approach involves looking beyond a single point of view and understanding the problem in its entirety to identify the root cause and develop comprehensive solutions.
In conclusion, defining the problem is a critical step in rational problem-solving. By taking the time to identify the issue, you can ensure that the solution you deliver provides actual value to the end-users. Use the tips above to help you define problems effectively and approach problem-solving with a clear and focused mind.
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