"When I'm working on a problem, I never think 
about beauty. I think only how to solve the problem. 
But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, 
I know it is wrong."
                   - Richard Buckminster Fuller

"Keeping an open mind is a virtue--but as space
engineer James Oberg once said, not so open that 
your brains fall out"
                   - Carl Sagan

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MAINTAINING YOURSELF AS A LEADER
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Do you ever feel that you are peltered by bullets 
named "solve me"?  Leaders are confronted with
a myriad of problems to solve every day.  Some 
are uncomplicated, but most are complex and 
require thought and analysis.  Many could have 
been prevented by understanding the cause.

- Leader makes the decision (Command Decision)
- Leader has an idea and wants a reaction (Consultative)
- Leader wants ideas, but will make the decision (Consultative)
- Leaders wants to decide, but with the team (Collaborative)
        a. Voting by majority
        b. Consensus
- The team will make the decision (Delegation)

Where leaders get into trouble is first, not 
being clear which model of decision-making 
they are using; but worse, changing the model 
and not informing anyone.  Use the entire 
range, but do so explicitly.

There are too many problems to solve.  How do I 
organize them ? 

Emergency room physicians have developed the 
skill of triage, which is assessing the urgency 
of the health problem of each of the current patients. 
In problem solving, it is wise to consider during 
triage which problem has (1) the most important outcome, 
(2) the greatest chance for solution, and (3) the 
nearest deadline.  When facing more than one problem, 
to the extent possible, focus on solving one at a time.

And again, ask are they in the right department?  
Do you need to be the solver of this problem?

When do I know I have enough information/data 
to solve a problem?

You will probably never have all the information 
you need to solve a problem.  "Chance" is a good 
decider at 50-50, go this way or that way.  The  
question is how to improve upon chance.  The more  
data you can get, in the time you have to make 
the decision, the more you will improve your odds.

See the use of "Appreciation" to extract the maximum 
information from facts.  http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_01.htm.
"Drill Down" also helps you gain a deeper 
understanding of a complex problem.
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_02.htm 

But beware of "Analysis Paralysis."  Set a deadline 
for the decision, and announce your decision with 
conviction.

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EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
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Edward deBono on lateral thinking, the six thinking 
hats, innovation and creativity
http://www.debonoonline.com/

Problem-solving techniques through MindTools
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/main/newMN_TMC.htm

Key Associates offers courseware in Creative 
Tools and Methods for Innovation
http://www.mkkey.com/courses2/Creativity.htm

Former Keyzines on related topics:
Volume 2, May 2001- Innovation
Volume 26, May 2003 - Creative Expression

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OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES 
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Fifty problem-solving strategies
http://www.une.edu.au/psychology/staff/malouff/problem.htm

Lots of library links and guidelines
http://www.managementhelp.org/prsn_prd/prob_slv.htm

Myriads of models for problem-solving
http://www.virtualsalt.com/crebook4.htm

Different ways of thinking
http://www.mediafrontier.com/Article/PS/PS.htm

Simple process for problem-solving/decision-making
http://www.businessballs.com/problemsolving.htm

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ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS                              
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How-to on Creativity Tools
http://www.mkkey.com/publications2/FacilitatedExercises.htm

Higgins, James M. (1994)  101 Creative Problem Solving 
Techniques: The Handbook of New Ideas for Business.

Jones, Morgan D.  (1998)  The Thinker's Toolkit: 14 
Powerful Techniques for Problem-solving.

Krantz, Steven G. (1997)  Techniques of Problem-Solving.

Nadler, G. & Hibino, S.  (1994)  Breakthrough Thinking: 
The Seven Principles of Creative Problem Solving.

Sloan, Paul.  (2003)  The Leader's Guide to Lateral 
Thinking Skills: Powerful Problem-Solving Techniques 
to Ignite Your Team's Potential.

Sproul, Robert (2001)  Process Problem Solving: 
A Guide for Maintenance and Operations Teams.

Straker, David.  (1997)  Rapid Problem-solving with Post-it Notes.

VanGundy, Arthur B.  (1988)  Techniques of Structured 
Problem Solving (General Business & Business Ed.).

Zeitz, Paul.  (1999)  The Art and Craft of Problem-solving.