ProblemSolving2

= **Finding Solutions** =

**//Businesses want solutions that are sustainable in the long-term.//**

Task One
Understand what makes a 'good' solution to a critical business problem.

//**Consider This...**//

Imagine you have broken your arm. Would you be happy if the doctor ONLY prescribed you painkillers? Let's consider this analogy:

**Issue:** My arm hurts. **Cause:** I fell off my sakteboard and landed on my arm, breaking the bone. **Effect:** I can't go to work because I am in so much pain.

If the doctor prescribes me painkillers, it will enable me to return to work because the pain will be gone - the //**effect**// is fixed. In the business world, we call this a //**band-aid fix**// - it fixes the issue in the short-term, but the causes are still there. It is likely that the issue will re-surface in a short time, or another bigger problem will emerge.

A better solution is to set my arm in a cast, which will allow the bone to heal properly - the //**cause**// is fixed. This is called a **//viable solution//** as it fixes the cause which in turn, fixes the issue in the long term.

The reason that the cause analysis step is so important, is that you must find solutions that will fix the root cause of the problem. In other words, understanding the cause of an issue is essential to identifying a viable solution.

Task Two
Understand a brainstorm to identify a range of solutions.

//**Watch and Read about Brainstorming**//

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( FastCompany, 2010 ) Important points to remember about brainstorming:
 * There are NO bad ideas initially - Write everything down.
 * Work in a group of 3-5 people whenever possible.
 * After your group's ideas are exhausted, group ideas together and refine to identify 3-5 feasible solutions.
 * Allow everyone to contribute.

**Checkpoint!** **// Before you move on to the next page, you should make sure that you understand: //**
 * **//What makes good solution//**
 * **// How to brainstorm //**