The Four Steps to Building Problem-Solving Skills

Learn the four essential steps to building problem-solving skills for your business: identifying problems, generating solutions, evaluating options, and implementing the best choice.

February 24, 2025

Post by Wilma Ivanisevic

Entrepreneurs know well that encountering problems is a matter of time. In other words, it’s not a question of whether but when businesses will have issues. Of course, some problems might be avoided. However, others have to be dealt with. Hence, problem-solving skills are essential. But how to build them? This article will outline four steps to building problem-solving skills.

Step One: Identify the Problem

First, it’s crucial to understand what’s wrong. Otherwise, we might waste time and energy fixing something that’s not the issue 😊.

Meaningful questions are very useful in this respect. We should keep them simple. For instance, we might ask ourselves: What is happening? Why is it happening? Who is affected? What are the results? These questions can help us see the problem from different angles. Further, looking for patterns or repeated issues is also helpful. For example, a company may face constant delays in delivery. At first, it may seem the problem has something to do with the workers. However, a thorough analysis may show that the real problem lies with the supply chain or planning process.

We should be aware of common pitfalls in problem identification. They often come from jumping to conclusions. People sometimes see a small issue and think it’s the main problem without looking deeper. They may ignore important details or make assumptions.

Step Two: Generate Possible Solutions

This requires thinking outside the box. It is also necessary to look at the problem from different angles. The more ideas you have, the better. Here are some helpful techniques for generating solutions:

Mind MappingThis is a simple way to organize your thoughts. Start with the main problem in the center. Then, draw lines to different ideas and solutions. This helps you see how everything connects.
Group BrainstormingGather a group of people with different skills and experiences. Share ideas and discuss them. This can help you see the problem in new ways.

What matters is collaboration. When people work together, they can create more solutions. The goal is to gather as many ideas as possible. This is helpful in choosing the best solution later.

Step Three: Evaluate and Select the Best Solution

Once you have solutions, look at the pros and cons of each one. Think about whether they are realistic. Also, consider the resources needed. Here are some points to guide you:

FeasibilityIs the solution realistic? Can it be carried out with the available time, skills, and tools?
ResourcesWhat do you need to make the solution work? Think about money, tools, or people. Do you have enough, or will you need extra resources?
Potential ImpactHow will the solution affect the situation? Will it fully solve the problem or just part of it? Consider the short-term and long-term effects.

When evaluating each solution, list the good and bad sides. Compare them to find which one has the most benefits with the least challenges. Look for the solution that gives the best results with the resources you have.

Step Four: Implementing the Solution

After choosing the best solution, it’s time to take action. Break the solution into small steps to stay organized. Make sure everyone understands what they need to do.

Next, collect all the resources you need. If something is missing, get it first. Don’t move forward until you have what you need.

As you implement the solution, check each step to make sure things are going as planned. If problems come up, fix them quickly. Be ready to adjust the plan if necessary.

Throughout the process, check if the solution is working. If it’s not, make the necessary changes. Small adjustments can sometimes improve the solution.

Once the solution is fully in place, take a moment to review its success. Did it solve the problem? Did it bring the results you wanted? Use what you learned to improve your problem-solving. Implementing a solution does take effort, but it’s an important part of fixing problems and making your business better.