Problem Solving
Creative and Strategic Solutions
"If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail". Abraham Maslow.
Most of us think that what we do, we do reasonably well, at least most of the time. But when we're out of our comfort zones things can get a little tense. Conflict and confrontation (like public speaking) are high on many people's list of areas of discomfort - and this is exactly where we are likely to find ourselves when important issues have to be decided and others don't agree with our plans or proposals, or vice versa.
If we don't have the tools to deal with problem situations when they arise, we may treat them as nails - with disastrous results.
For our purposes, a problem situation is any situation that is: (a) difficult to resolve and that (b) needs to be resolved (ie: if it doesn't require action, who gives a damn?).
If I am the person responsible for getting the problem solved, I feel the pressure of having to make a wise decision. Most of the time I can do this, but there are times when the stakes are too high, the risks too great, the opposition too fierce, or the issues and implications too cloudy for me to have any confidence in my ability to make that wise decision.
If I'm smart I'll recognise that - on this occasion - I need help. In the same way I go to my doctor when I have a health problem I can't solve by myself, here I'll go to an expert problem solver, recognising that I'm in one of those mercifully rare situations where I know I can't safely and efficiently resolve the problem myself without external help.
The Solutionist Group provides independent, external, expert problem solving services. We exist to provide: "skilful solutions for complex problems". Our skilled Solutionists' core orientation and professional energies are focused purely on responsible, professional problem solving - doing whatever it takes, within the boundaries of our principles and processes and our client's capabilities - to develop best possible solutions and optimal outcomes.
This is our key point of difference from conventional advisers, such as: lawyers, accountants, management consultants, counsellors, psychologists and others - we are not constrained by what we call: "the silo-limitations of conventional professional thinking" (Phew - I think we developed that one over a few drinks!). Most of our Solutionists have these qualifications and skills (especially law and accountancy) in their backgrounds, but we determinedly use them only as a base and backup for our primary skills and purpose - problem solving.
And, in case you were still wondering, Solutionism is not about snake oil, or deception. All Solutionists operate in accordance with a strict Code of Principles and Conduct (we believe that Codes of Conduct that don't include Principles have limited merit). Our Code is designed to match or exceed, in its practical application, Codes produced by other professions and industries. It emphasises our main point of difference: we don't just set out to help you "get it right". Because we are dealing with real people, and their real problems, and their hopes for the future, we help you to "do it right" as well.
Accordingly, we believe that the processes we use, and the reasons for using them, must have at least as much integrity as the outcomes we help you to achieve. We say: "your journey towards a solution is as important as your destination".
To make this happen requires a clear, practical and confident process that displays discipline and integrity, and is facilitated by skilled experts. We call this process CONSEPS. The full process is explained in detail elsewhere on this website. Please follow the link to: CONSEPS. For your convenience, an outline of the process is provided below:
CONSEPS - Solutioneering for Creative and Strategic Solutions
CONSEPS is a problem solving process facilitated by a Solutionist who guides individuals, groups or teams through its 4 stages:
[A] Current States:
Stage 1 - Information Gathering. The Facilitator ensures that all relevant information sources: facts, issues, interests and needs, are identified and that whatever information is thought to be relevant is gathered for consideration and potential use.
Stage 2 - Evaluate Situation. The Facilitator ensures that the parties properly assess the facts, issues, interests & needs gathered in Stage 1.
The Facilitator may not have the technical skills required to assess this information him/herself and indeed they are not usually required to do so, as they are primarily there to manage the process and the parties.
The Facilitator ensures that appropriate and adequate assessments of the information previously gathered are now made. This may involve completeness, credibility and reality checks.
[B] Future States:
Stage 3 - Generate Options. The Facilitator guides the parties through a structured option generating process using lateral thinking, dynamic brainstorming and solution design techniques.
Options are not compared and evaluated until the creative process is substantially complete (it may never actually end). At the end of the creative process the new options are matched against established strategic and other imperatives to commence the solution selection and planning process.
Stage 4 - Solutions. The Facilitator helps the parties to select and arrange the best options they've generated into plans that best address the requirements of the parties and the situation. Part of their role is to challenge and reality check developing choices so as to make the selection process as rigorous, objective and successful as possible.
The Facilitator then helps the parties to implement the agreed plan.
Benefits of Solutioneering for Creative and Strategic Solutions
Using a Solutionist to help develop Creative and Strategic Solutions ensures that an expert problem solver has applied appropriate techniques and tools, selected to suit the issues and the parties involved, to help find or develop an optimal solution for specific problems or issues.
Because you engage a Solutionist to help you develop an optimal solution to the entire problem at all levels, you don't limit your options by forcing the problem into a standard professional pigeonhole, as can happen if the problem is referred to, say, a lawyer, accountant or management consultant.
The process is entirely private and can be as confidential as the parties want it to be. If there are personal, relationship or commercial sensitivities, it is the ideal "low impact, high effect" solution.