Purpose-directed Problem Solving

* Problem solving strategies based on Breakthrough Thinking™ *

What: 1-Day Workshop - How to identify and address opportunities in problem situations

When: By arrangement

Where: Offsite or onsite

Overview

Purpose-directed Problem Solving is a 1-Day Workshop and is the flagship of our product solving strategies. It covers a powerful approach to creatively solving problems and achieving breakthroughs. Following the workshop, you and your fellow attendees will have acquired the skills, tools and common language to enjoy solving even the most complex problems. "Solving" means both finding and implementing an effective solution. Your solutions will be increasingly more effective, cost less in time and resources, and will have more buy-in by all the people involved.

Purpose-directed Problem Solving is based on the work of Professors Gerald Nadler (USA) and Shozo Hibino (Japan) who have spent over 30 years developing Breakthrough Thinking™ - a holistic approach built on a foundation of seven core principles of creative problem solving. The approach focuses on purposes and solutions, rather than causes and problems, as the most effective way to achieve breakthroughs.

Purpose-directed Problem Solving strategies - Principles:

Purpose-directed Problem Solving is a powerful approach to problem solving based on Nadler & Hibino's seven core principles of creative problem solving. Three of these principles can be described as "foundation principles" and are applied at all stages throughout the process:

The Uniqueness Principle involves really understanding why many people make the mistake of assuming that a solution, which worked well in another situation or at another time, will necessarily work well for you now. It also involves embedding this understanding into your actions and behaviours.

The Limited Information Collection Principle seeks to avoid data overload, "analysis-paralysis" and becoming an expert in the problem rather than the solution. This principle is counter-intuitive to many people whose first reaction to a problem situation is "I want to know all there is to know about this problem".

The Systems Principle is based on the iceberg theorem that seven eights of everything can't be seen. It emphasises the need for effective problem solving strategies to specify and present ideas and solutions in terms of a system and all the factors needed to make that system work. The Systems Principle also acknowledges that no system exists in isolation and the impact of any changes in a given problem situation on other external systems must always be considered.

The remaining four principles can be described as 'process-oriented principles' and are used to underpin the four phases of executing a purpose-directed problem solving strategy - or "Power Thinking for Results" as we like to call it.

The People Design Principle clearly shows the importance to an effective problem solving strategy, of immediately considering all stakeholders at all stages in the solution finding process. It also shows the advantages of only specifying the critical components of a solution to give flexibility and latitude to the people implementing it. People are the custodians of information, knowledge and wisdom. They are also the source of inspiration and ideas.

The Purposes Principle reflects the key impact made by clearly deciding what you hope to achieve by addressing a problem situation. It stresses that the selected purpose will determine the focus and the scope of the effort that will be made, and the level of results that can be achieved. Exploring and expanding the possible purposes for addressing a given problem situation, widens the scope and helps to ensure that you are addressing the situation at the most effective level.

The Solution-After-Next Principle shows how having a target solution in the future gives direction to near-term solutions. Having identified a future solution also greatly enhances creativity by freeing the mind from short term priorites and any perceived limitations based on the current situation.

The Betterment Timeline Principle acknowledges that time changes everything and that a truly effective solution to a problem situation must be dynamic. Applying a sequence of purpose-directed solutions is the best way to build a bridge to a better future.

Power Thinking for Results - Phases

Power Thinking for Results - process for executing a purpose-directed problem solving strategy - has four phases that are derived from Nadler and Chandon's work in the Center for Breakthrough Thinking (CA, USA).

Phase 1: People (Stakeholders)

This is where the key roles, which apply in a given situation, are determined. It addresses who should be involved, how they should be involved, and when should they be involved at various stages in the process.

Phase 2: Purposes (Exploration of purposes and selection of focus purpose)

The real purposes to be accomplished are explored in detail and the given situation is placed in a larger context. A focus purpose and associated measures of purpose accomplishment are selected. This will provide a clear focus and the widest feasible scope for a truly effective solution.

Phase 3: Future Solutions (Ideal target solutions)

The key difference in creating solutions, as opposed to problem solving, is the process of first seeking out tomorrow's solution for the focus purpose, and then building backwards from it. This is where Nadler and Hibino's "Solution After Next" principle is directly applied.

Phase 4: Living Solutions (Real world solutions with transition plans)

An immediate solution, which is as close as possible to the ideal target solution, is designed and implemented. This is done in parallel with a transition plan towards the ideal target solution and a betterment timeline, which includes, among its key milestones, ongoing review of the ideal target solution and review of the focus purpose itself.

". . A sequence of purpose-directed solutions
acts as a bridge to a better future."

Nadler and Hibino

Benefits of Adopting the Purpose-directed Problem Solving approach

There are many significant benefits to adopting purpose-directed thinking:

• You set the framework for problem solving and change where:
• Strategic thinking replaces limited and arbitrary solutions
• The focus is on larger issues and needs, and on long-term success
• Acceptance and implementation are easier because the concerns of the people involved have been inherently factored in
• Products and services are more competitive because they address unique factors


• Your efforts are directed toward the right problem to work on, within an overall framework or hierarchy of purposes
• People rally with much more enthusiasm around purposes than they do with rules
• The trade-offs and compromises inherent in virtually every solution are made in a forward-looking rather than backward-looking mode
• You have a language of exchange in discussions about systems and solutions
• You have a focus on developing and implementing systems and changes rather than on techniques for information collection and model building
• Regularly scheduled groups become increasingly responsive to needed changes rather than just existing for their own sake.
• Employees involved in the design can add many of the details needed to operate a changed system or new solution that has been specified only in broad terms.
• You can take advantage of the long-term perspectives of the purposes, solution-after-next and systems principles to provide a basis for realistic planning and ongoing betterment activities.

Seminar Content

The interactive workshop equips you with the concepts, the process, the tools and the techniques that you need to become an active and successful practitioner of purpose-directed thinking. Workshop content is outlined below.

Documentation

Each attendee will receive:

• A copy of the book - Breakthrough Thinking: The Seven Principles of Creative Problem Solving by Gerald Nadler, Ph.D. and Shozo Hibino, Ph.D.
• Handouts including practical worksheets and quick reference notes

Fees:

€2,500 plus VAT and travel expenses (fixed for up to eight participants)

Facilitator

Noel Coburn is a committed advocate of Breakthrough Thinking™ and sits on the advisory committee of the Center for Breakthrough Thinking based in LA. Noel has over thirty years wide-ranging business experience, primarily in the IT industry where he held senior management positions in a number of companies including Digital Equipment Corporation, Lotus Development Corporation, and Info'Products Europe. An award winning MBA and an engineering graduate, he is also a past recipient of the "Sir Charles Harvey Award" from the Irish Management Institute. Noel is based in Dublin and works worldwide.

Purpose-directed Problem Solving: Content

Content can be tailored in advance to meet the client's requirements. Typically, the morning session covers principles, perspectives and tools, which are very useful in their own right, yet offer a powerful synergy when applied in the context of the purpose-directed problem solving strategy and process.

Module 1 - Problems and Purposes

• The nature of problems
• Different approaches to problem solving
• Why problems really are opportunities
• The importance of having a clear purpose

Module 2 - Creativity Skills

• Attitude
• Fluency and flexibility
• Techniques for varying perspective
• Intuition and incubation

Module 3 - System Matrix

• Harnessing creativity
• Covering all the bases
• Systems modelling
• The System Matrix

Module 4 - The Seven Principles of Creative Problems Solving

• Uniqueness
• Purposes
• Solution After Next
• Systems
• Limited Information Collection
• People Design
• Betterment Timeline

The afternoon session typically centres on understanding and applying the Purpose-directed Problem Solving process ("Power Thinking for Results"), which incorporates Nadler and Hibino's seven core principles of creative problem solving.

Module 5 - Power Thinking for Results

• Process overview
• The List-Organise-Decide sub process
• Phase 1: People - Stakeholders
• Phase 2: Purposes - Exploration of purposes and focus purpose selection
• Phase 3: Future Solutions - Ideal target solutions
• Phase 4: Living Solutions - Real world solutions with transition plans

Note: Parts of this document are adapted from Gerald Nadler and Shozo Hibino, Breakthrough Thinking: The Seven Principles of Creative Problem Solving, Rocklin CA: Prima Publishing, 1998 (Copyright, ©1998, All Rights Reserved) and Gerald Nadler & William J. Chandon, "Smart Questions: Learn to Ask the Right Questions for Powerful Results", Jossey-Bass, 2004 (Copyright ©2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved)