10 Powerful Steps to Define and Solve Any Hard Problem Effectively

Defining the right problem requires asking the right questions. If the problem is framed too narrowly, it could limit an effective solution — much less an innovative one.

Indeed, if you can move beyond stated needs and dig into what really excites and motivates an individual, group, or company, then you can begin to propose solutions that are functional, wonderful, and cost-effective.For example, in the 1960s, IBM was seeking the answer to a key question: “If a more reliable, cheaper, and faster process for photocopying were available, how many more copies would people make in a given year?”The problem was framed too narrowly as “copies from originals” rather than considering a potentially much larger market that included “copies of copies of copies.” There was a big, missed opportunity that might have been anticipated if the right questions had been asked.Never accept problems at face value.

Always challenge them to either affirm their validity or recast them after further investigation. While we want to be very sensitive to what stakeholders, clients, consumers, or patients, tell us, we must be cautious about accepting their highly biased reports and their conclusions about what it all means and what they think is the best response.The real problem may be masked for a variety of reasons: it is easy to be misled by a less serious problem or a symptom.

Take time to periodically review and reflect on all the information gathered from interviews and conversations with stakeholders, all aspects of the context, precedent searches, and any other relevant sources.