Roadblocks to Problem Solving

Many of us serve as our own roadblocks in solving prob­lems. There are a variety of roadblocks to watch for in order to effectively use the technique of problem solving:

1. Watch out for old habits.

2. Check your perceptions.

3. Overcome your fears.

4. Be careful of assumptions.

5. Don't be tied to a problem; try to look at it with detachment.

6. Don't let yourself procrastinate.

7. Control your inclination for reactive solutions.

8. Control your inclination for rash solutions.

9. Avoid emotional responses and always attempt to be rational.

10. Be aware that the nature of a problem can change.

11. Do not skip steps in the problem solving process.

At this point, you are ready to check your understanding of the problem. You've already identified the problem, broken it all down into all its facets, narrowed it down, done research on it, and you are avoiding typical road­blocks. On a large pad, write down the problem, including all of the factors, the areas it affects, and what the effects are. For a better visual understanding, you may also wish to diagram the problem showing cause and effect.

Study what you have written down and/or diagrammed. Call in your employees and discuss your analysis with them. Based on their feedback, you may decide to revise. Once you think you fully understand the causes and ef­fects of the problem, summarize the problem as suc­cinctly and as simply as possible.

How to Find Solutions

There are a number of methods for finding solutions. We will describe five thinking methods below, but we recom­mend that you use a number of them in finding solutions. The first four methods described are unconventional and more innovative. They allow you the possibility of arriv­ing at a novel solution. The fifth method is a more typical and straightforward method.

1. Association: There are three types of associative think­ing. This type of thinking is basically a linking process either through similarity, difference, or contiguity. For example, contiguity finds solutions from things that are connected through proximity, sequence, and cause and effect. The process works as follows: List as many parts of the problem you can think of. Then giving yourself a short time limit, list as many words or ideas that have either proximity, sequence, or related cause and effect to the ones you have listed. For example, a contiguous association might be "misplaced work - cluttered desk" (proximity); "misplaced work - rushing" (sequence); "misplaced work - irate customer" (cause and effect).

Associative thinking taps the resources of the mind. It brings into focus options you might not have considered if you stuck to ideas only directly related to the problem. As a result of associative thinking, you might find other relationships embedded in the problem that will lead to a better solution.

2. Analogy: This thinking method is a way of finding solutions through comparisons. The process is based on comparing the different facets of the problem with other problems that may or may not have similar facets. An analogy might go like this: "Employees have been coming in late to work quite often; how can I get them to be at work on time? This to me is like soldiers being late for a battle. Would soldiers come late to a battle? Why not?" By, comparing the situation of workers to the situation of soldiers, you may find a solution for a way to motivate employees to come to work on time.

3. Brainstorming: This thinking method is based on a free, non-threatening, anything goes atmosphere. You can brainstorm alone or with a group of people. Most often a group of people from diverse backgrounds is preferable. The process works like this: The problem is explained to the group and each member is encouraged to throw out as many ideas for solutions as he or she can think of no matter how ridiculous or far-fetched they may sound. All the ideas are discussed among the group, revised, tossed out, expanded, etc. based on the group's analysis of them. Based on the group's grasp of the effectiveness of each idea, the best ones are selected for closer review. For ex­ample, the group of people might throw out for consider­ation any thoughts they might have on how to increase sales or improve profits.

4. Intuition: This mode of thinking is based on hunches. It is not, as some think, irrational. Intuition or hunches are built on a strong foundation of facts and experiences that are buried somewhere in the subconscious. All the things you know and have experienced can lead you to believe that something might be true although you've never actually experienced that reality. Use your intuition as much as possible but check it against the reality of the situation.

5. Analytical Thinking: This thinking method is based on analysis. It is the most conventional and logical of all the methods and follows a step by step pattern.

a. Examine each cause of the problem. Then for each cause, based on your direct knowledge and experience, list the solutions that logically would seem to solve the problem.

b. Check the possible solutions you arrive at with the research you have compiled on how the problem was solved by others.

Using each thinking technique, search for solutions. Keep a running list of all of them, even the ones that seem far out, too simple, or even impossible. The effect of this is to give you a rich pool of ideas that will lead you to the best solution.

Sorting Out the Best Solution

Go through your long list of solutions and cross-out those that obviously won't work. Those ideas are not wasted for they impact on those ideas that remain. In other words, the best ideas you select may be revised based on the ideas that wouldn't work. With the remaining solu­tions, use what is called the "Force Field Analysis Tech­nique." This is basically an analysis technique which breaks the solution down into its positive effects and neg­ative effects. To do this, write each solution you are con­sidering on a separate piece of paper. Below the solution, draw a line vertically down the center of the paper. Label one column advantages and one column disadvantages.

Once you have decided what Kind of Company you want to start and The investment requirements, you are prepared to select a
location. The amount of aggressive companies already in the region should affect your choice of location. Some regions are
overloaded with service channels or certain forms of restaurants. Check on the amount of your type of business in Census figures,
the yellow pages, or by checking out the location.

Factors Aside from the Possible market, availability of Workers And number of competitive companies have to be considered in
choosing a place. For example, how adequate are utilities - sewer, water, power, gas? Parking facilities? Fire and fire
protection? What about housing and environmental factors like colleges, cultural and community actions for workers? What is the
normal cost of this location in rents and taxes? Assess on zoning regulations. Assess the business of the neighborhood
business-people, the aggressiveness of civic organizations. In short, what is the city spirit? Such factors should give you an
idea to the city or city's future.

Chambers of Commerce and local universities usually have created or Are knowledgeable about local polls that may provide answers
to these questions and the many other questions which will occur to you.

Then you have to decide in what part of city to find. If the city is Very little and you are establishing retail or service
business, there'll probably be little option. Only one shopping area exists. Cities have outlying shopping centers in addition to
the central dining area, and stores spring up along principal thoroughfares and neighborhood streets.

Consider the shopping center. It's different from other locations. The shopping center building is pre-planned as a merchandising
unit. The site has been intentionally selected by a programmer. On-site parking is a frequent feature. Customers may drive in,
park and do their shopping in relative safety and speed. Some facilities provide weather protection. Such conveniences make the
shopping centre a valuable location.

Additionally, there are some limitations you should know about. As a tenant, You become part of a retailer team and must pay your
pro rata share of the budget. You must keep store hourslight your windows, and place your signals based on established rules. Many
communities have restrictions on evidence along with the middle management might have additional limitations. Moreover, if you are
thinking about a shopping centre for your first shop you could have an extra problem. Developers and owners of shopping centers
look for successful retailers.

The kind and Wide Range of merchandise that you take helps determine the Kind of shopping area you select. For instance, clothing
stores, jewelry stores and department stores are more likely to be more successful in buying districts. On the flip side, grocery
stores, drug stores, filling stations, and bakeries do better on principal thoroughfares and local streets beyond the shopping
districts. Some sorts of stores customarily pay a low rent per square foot, while others cover a high rent. At the"low" class are
furniture, grocery and hardware stores. At the"high" are cigar, drug, women's furnishings, and department stores. There is no hard
and fast rule, however it's helpful to observe in which type of place a store like yours often appears to flourish.

After determining an area best suited to your type of business, Obtain as many facts as possible about it. Check the competition.
How many similar businesses are located nearby? What exactly does their sales volume seem to be? If you're establishing a shop or
service trade, how far is it that people come to exchange in the area? Are the traffic patterns positive? If most of your clients
will probably be local populations, study the population trends of the region. Is population increasing, stationary or declining?
Are the people native-born, blended or mostly foreign? Are new ethnic groups coming in? Are they mostly laborers, clerks,
executives or retired persons? Are they all ages or principally retired, middle aged, or young? Judge buying power by assessing
average home rental, typical property taxation, number of phones, number of automobiles and, even if the figure is available, per
capita income. Bigger shopping centers have this sort of information available, and will make it available to serious potential
tenants.

Zoning ordinances, parking availability, transport facilities And natural barriers - such as bridges and hills - are important
factors in finding any kinds of business. Possible sources for this info are Chambers of Commerce, trade associations, property
companies, local newspapers, banks, city officials, neighborhood merchants and personal observation. If the Bureau of the Census
has developed census tract data for the particular area where you are interested you will find this especially helpful. A census
tract is a small, permanently established, geographical place within a large city and its environs. The Census Bureau provides
population and housing characteristics for every tumor. This information can be valuable in measuring your market or service
potential.

Choosing the actual site within an area may well be accepting what you Can get. Not too many plants or buildings will be
appropriate and at precisely the exact same time, accessible. Should you have a choice, be sure to weigh the possibilities
carefully.

For a manufacturing plant, think about the condition and suitability Of the construction, transport, parking facilities, and the
sort of lease. For A shop or service establishment, assess out the nearest competition, traffic Flow, parking facilities, street
location, physical aspects of the building, Kind of lease and cost, and the speed, cost and quality of transportation.
Additionally Look into the history of the site. Find answers to such queries as: Has the Building remained vacant for any length
of time? Why? Have various types of Stores occupied it for short periods? It may have proved unprofitable for them. Websites on
which many businesses have failed ought to be avoided. Vacant buildings Don't bring traffic and are generally considered bad
neighbors, therefore check on nearby unoccupied buildings.

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