Problem Solving and Decision Making Part-2

          So, continuing from where we left in the last class, we deliberated on the Problem Solving and Decision matrix. Here, we took a different outlook to Problem Solving. We were asked about the elements that the Management is composed of. The graph below will summarize this concept.

Styles of Management:

Thus we arrived at the following four different styles of Management:

1. Individual Decision Making and Individual Implementation - Occurs in businesses that are run by only one person
2. Individual Decision Making and Team Implementation - Occurs in Hierarchical Organizations i.e. most of the present day Organizations
3. Team Decision Making and Individual Implementation – Occurs rarely
4. Team Decision Making and Team Implementation - Occurs in Flat Organizations

          This matrix is very helpful as it doesn't tell us only about who makes the decision and who implements it. What it actually teaches us is to find the root of the problem i.e. the place/the reason from where the problem starts. This is because problems more often than not are linked to the Management style.

Following are the four steps that are involved in the Problem Solving - Decision Making process:

Step 1: Situation Analysis

          Here, we need to do some assessment. We need to decide what is urgent and what is important so that for the time being, we can park the tasks that don’t need our immediate attention. In short, we need to prioritize our tasks/problems.

Step 2: Problem Analysis

          Here, we need to gather information from various internal and external sources. Then, we need to properly define the problem at hand. This is a very important step, as knowing what the problem is, is a prerequisite to solving it. Trying to solve a problem without knowing what it actually is, is a futile exercise.

Step 3: Solution Analysis

          Then, we have to start generating ideas. Conducting Brain Storming sessions is one of the most effective ways of doing it as different people pitch in with different perspectives. Then, we need to make a decision. By nature, both these are contradictory. If Generating Ideas is a Selective/Expanding process then Decision Making is an Eliminating/Contracting process. Thus, what we do is use the Dialectical Method to reach a decision.

Step 4: Implementation

          This is the final and the most important step of the Problem Solving - Decision Making process. We need to make sure that we involve everybody i.e. all the stakeholders concerned, in the implementation process. We need ensure that all that was planned is implemented perfectly. Only then, will we get the desired results. If this isn't executed, then the entire Problem Solving - Decision Making process will turn out to be a waste of time and energy.