Problem Solving Strategy by Dr. Bambang Budijanto

Summary

This video focuses on a structured 7-step approach to problem-solving in organizations, companies, or churches. The speaker emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the existence of problems, forming a reliable team, identifying the real issue, and finding the root cause. The team then brainstorms solutions, assesses risks, and the leader chooses the most strategic option. Implementation and evaluation follow, with the possibility of revisiting previous steps if needed. The video encourages leaders to learn from challenges and improve problem-solving skills to become more effective in leadership.

Takeaways

• ✅ Acknowledge the problem: Leaders must first recognize and admit that a problem exists rather than denying or ignoring it.
• 👥 Form a reliable team: Create a dedicated team to address the issue, selecting individuals who are critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and not afraid to fail.
• 🔍 Identify the real problem: Be clear about what the actual problem is before proceeding, as misidentification can lead to ineffective solutions.
• 🌱 Find the root cause: Address the underlying cause of the issue, not just the symptoms, to prevent the problem from recurring.
• 📝 Brainstorm solutions: Generate a list of potential solutions, considering the risks, side effects, and chances of success for each.
• 🎯 Choose the best solution: The leader should decide on the most strategic solution that aligns with the organization's values and offers the greatest benefit.
• 📅 Plan, implement, and evaluate: Develop a detailed plan, assign tasks, execute the solution, and then evaluate its effectiveness.
• 🔄 Continuous evaluation: If the problem persists, return to the earlier steps to reassess the team, the problem, or the solution.
• 📚 Learn from failure: Not succeeding doesn't mean failure, but a learning opportunity to refine the approach and deepen understanding.
• 🙏 Growth through problem-solving: Solving problems helps leaders learn, grow, and become more competent, as challenges are continuous in life.

Q & A

What is the first step in solving a problem in an organization according to the video?

The first step is to acknowledge that the problem exists. Many leaders tend to deny or ignore the problem, but recognizing its existence is crucial for effective problem solving.

Why is it important to establish a team when solving a problem?

It is important because solving problems together is more effective than handling them alone. A team brings diverse perspectives and skills, ensuring that the problem is diagnosed properly and innovative solutions are generated.

What characteristics should members of the problem-solving team possess?

Team members should be reliable, critical thinkers, capable of diagnosing problems, generating innovative ideas, and unafraid of failure while being eager to solve the problem.

Why is it essential to clearly identify the problem?

Clearly identifying the problem is essential because without a clear understanding of what needs to be solved, subsequent steps will be ineffective. It also helps in addressing the most important problem first if there are multiple related issues.

What is the significance of finding the root of the problem?

Finding the root of the problem is crucial because many problems are only symptoms of a deeper issue. Addressing only the symptoms will result in the problem recurring, so the root cause must be identified and solved to prevent this.

What should be done in step five of the problem-solving process?

In step five, the team should brainstorm and make a list of possible solutions. For each solution, they should evaluate the risks, costs, side effects, and chances of success to determine the most viable options.

How should a leader choose a solution from the list of alternatives?

A leader should choose the solution that aligns with the organization's values, is the most strategic, and offers the greatest benefit. In a ministry or church setting, the solution should also be maximized for God's work.

What is the final step in the problem-solving process?

The final step is to make a plan, implement the chosen solution, and evaluate its effectiveness. If the problem persists, the team should go back and reassess earlier steps such as team composition or problem identification.

What should be done if the problem is not fully resolved after implementing a solution?

If the problem is not resolved, the team should revisit earlier steps, check if the team is complete, reassess the problem identification, review the root diagnosis, and explore other solutions from the list of alternatives.

What mindset should leaders adopt toward problems, according to the speaker?

Leaders should view problems as opportunities to learn and grow. Problems will always exist, but they help leaders become better problem solvers and improve their competence over time.