Problem Analysis Methods

How can we
understand
the problem?
Method # 1: The 5 Whys.

Method # 2: Fishbone analysis.
Method # 3: Tree analysis.
Method # 4: 5 Ws and 1 H.
Method # 5: 3 step problem analysis.
Method # 6: Problem formulation method.
Method # 1
The 5 Whys
Step # 1
Describe what the problem is.
Step # 2
Ask why several times to better

understand the reasons for the problem.
Keep asking why until you get to the real

reason for the problem.
Some sources of inspiration

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Information/Knowledge-Solutions/The-Five-Whys-Technique.pdf
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5590974/how_to_run_an_ideas_jam.html?cat=3
http://www.associatedcontent.com/audio/17188/how_to_use_lateral_thinking_for_personal.html?cat=55
http://www.associatedcontent.com/video/912792/problem_analysis_techniques.html?cat=55
http://blogs.hbr.org/video/2012/02/the-5-whys.html
http://www.bulsuk.com/2009/03/5-why-finding-root-causes.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_Whys
http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/archives/2011/05/some_years_ago.shtml
http://lssacademy.com/2010/01/10/introducing-the-5-why-%E2%80%9Cso-what%E2%80%9D-test/
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_5W.htm
http://thinkjarcollective.com/tools/how-to-formulate-a-creative-problem-statement/
http://youtu.be/JmrAkHafwHI
Method # 2
Fishbone analysis
Persons interrupt
each other
Very little of what is

Reasons for the problem
communicated is concrete
Further reasons
Person A talks
constantly
Bad
communication
None of the persons

ask questions
I language is
not used
The problem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishikawa_diagram
http://www.mycoted.com/Fishbone_Diagram
Method # 3
Tree analysis
http://hbr.org/2014/01/a-taxonomy-of-innovation/ar/1
http://www.imagebase.net/Nature/tree
3. Branches =
Effects of
problem
2. Root =
Reason for
problem
1. The problem
Method # 4
5 Ws and 1 H
#1
What?
#2
Why?
#3
When?
5 Ws and 1 H
#6
How?
#5
Who?
#4
Where?
Example
How can we improve communication?
What does it mean to communicate well?

What does it mean to communicate badly?
Why is a person a good communicator?
Why is a person not a good communicator?
When is a person a good communicator?
When is a person not a good communicator?
Where is a person a good communicator?
Where is a person not a good communicator?
Who is good at communicating?
Who is not good at communicating?
How does a person become a good communicator?
How does a person become a bad communicator?
http://www.associatedcontent.com/video/912792/problem_analysis_techniques.html?cat=55
http://www.bqf.org.uk/innovation/2010/04/16/six-serving-men-problem-analysis-technique/
http://www.mycoted.com/Five_Ws_and_H
Method # 5
3 step problem analysis
Find a discussion partner and ask that person to

discuss his or her most pressing work problem with
you for about 5 minutes.
Ask these 5 questions
1. Whats the problem?
2. What are the root causes?
3. Who is to blame?
4. What have you tried that hasnt worked?
5. Why havent you been able to fix the problem yet?
http://www.mckinsey.com/Insights/Leading_in_the_21st_century/Lead_at_your_best
Round # 2
Discuss again for 5 minutes using these 4 questions
1. What would you like to see - and make - happen?
2. Can you recall a time when the solution was present, at
least partly? What made that possible?
3. What are the smallest steps you could take that would
make the biggest difference?
4. What are you learning in this conversation so far?
Round # 3
Debrief your partner about his or her thoughts and
feelings during the 1st versus the 2nd discussion.
Then talk about these 3 questions for 5 minutes
1. What did you notice?
2. What were his or her underlying mind-sets?
3. What were yours?
Method # 6
Problem formulation method
To formulate a problem, use the phrase

In
what ways might I?
http://thinkjarcollective.com/tools/how-to-formulate-a-creative-problem-statement/
Thank you for your interest. For further inspiration

and personalized services, please feel welcome to
visit http://frankcalberg.com/
Have a great day.

Problem Analysis Methods

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Problem Analysis Methods

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How can we

Method # 1: The 5 Whys.

Describe what the problem is.

Ask why several times to better

Keep asking why until you get to the real

Some sources of inspiration

Very little of what is

None of the persons

Some sources of inspiration

How can we improve communication?

What does it mean to communicate well?

Some sources of inspiration

Find a discussion partner and ask that person to

To formulate a problem, use the phrase

what ways might I?

Thank you for your interest. For further inspiration

Have a great day.

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