You probably wonder how something is possible and impossible simultaneously. Think about it this way, you can't imagine doing something, even though you can, right? Babies didn't know they could walk until they could.
Sometimes, a problem is surprising, because we never thought it could happen. So we feel it is difficult, or even impossible, to fix. However, that's not usually the case. Most manufacturing problems are chronic and have been experienced multiple times, but remain unfixed. Why is that?
In 25 years of experience, the most common response to a problem is "we can't improve X because we don't have resources." These resources include people, material, time, finances, recognition, and support. Although these things may have been true, it was not actually why the improvements could not be made 80% of the time. Actually, the problem could not be improved because of people's beliefs. This made the problem worse, unknowingly. For example, have you ever dreaded starting a task, but then found it wasn't as bad as you thought? The same happens at work! Unconsciously, we will allow an issue to go longer, because our brain has moved it to the "we will get around to it" category. The way we think at home happens at work, because we take our brain with us.
We don't know how our thinking creates our results. Here are 4 mindset shifts that will actually solve your problem. Your thoughts about a problem are important, because they either lead you closer to the solution or further away from it.
Imagine if your workforce knew how their minds work? They would have more agency to make better decisions in their work. Imagine a workforce confident and empowered, where managers don't have to intervene?
These tips enable them to focus on the problem and find a solution that works best for them and the business, ensuring it is sustainable in their daily work. What if interventions, like Kaizens, that pause work, are not needed? Can you imagine it?
Warning! Before implementing these tips, know that facts are required. If you don't have facts, let that be the first indicator that is a problem to solve. Now is the time for honesty. Only the facts are allowed! "I don't know" is not allowed. By asking the right questions, you can figure it out.
Let's Go!
#1 - Describe the pain points from the standpoint of the person experiencing the issue.
This is likely a symptom, not the problem. What is this issue? For example, it could be something is always wrong with this machine, or it’s taking too long to get the material we need, or sometimes it could just be a gap in a goal. Ask the right questions.
- What is wrong? With what?
#2 - Decide what the business or customer needs and how the problem affects them.
Why do they care? For example, they may care about it taking too long for them to get the material they need, because the customer may need the product delivered every 30 days, and you can't currently fulfill those orders. This sounds very simple, but confusion miraculously appears the more 'simple' a problem is, or when pressure is high. This is the time to stand strong, trust the process, and be brave.
"Courage is necessary in situations where we might not notice it." – Tiffiney Jahn
Tip #3 - Clearly state the problem
Why is this important? It is important, because the problem doesn't exist until written down. It is a thought in everyone's mind that will lead to different actions if not documented. Documented it makes it real in everyone's mind.
Most people start implementing solutions without creating problem statements. Why? It feels more productive than the frustration and confusion that comes with understanding.
If you skip this step, you won't understand your thoughts about the problem or how you could create it, unknowingly. Look at the problem and why it's a problem. It saves a lot of time.
Tip #4 - Divide the headache into smaller pieces
Why create more problems when you can barely solve one? Because it's faster. For example, if you have a problem with pumps, consider if the problem is by pump type or by pump location. Focus on one pump, and put the others aside. Rewrite the problem statement with a focus on the smaller problem. Reducing the size makes the problem seem easier to solve, increasing your chances of solving it quicker. We don't give enough attention to the fact that our brain doesn’t like hard things, although it is a highly complex organ. Therefore, you must simplify until the brain doesn't feel a threat, and this removes mental clutter, so solutions will be obvious.
This will also help identify who needs to be involved to solve it, and who will be most impacted or needs to be consulted. Alignment creates clarity, allowing everyone to work toward the same goal.
Solving Impossible Problems with Confidence requires a Decisive and Proven Framework
These tips will help solve impossible problems the first time, freeing up resources to work on other problems.
Solving problems expresses what is possible. All that is needed is the right plan, method, and help.
Let me help you do the impossible!
- We will talk about your biggest problem right now.
- I will help you define it.
- We will discover the root of it.
- I will set up a step by step plan to help you reach your end goal without overwhelm.
Solving problems doesn't have to be overwhelming. I know the secret that gets results faster and easier, while using the intuition of the workforce instead of dismissing it, without wasting time on tactics in time-consuming meetings, and creating solutions that do not last.
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