A GUIDE TO SOLVING "WHOLE" PROBLEMSStep #1 Procedure to Identify the "WHOLE" Problem ___________________________________________________________ Background Information on this Problem: Clearly state the facts known about the "WHOLE" problem. Use
terms that do not blame other things or people (The
BLAME GAME), then do your best to answer the following
questions about the "WHOLE" problem. Skip over the questions that don’t apply to
your particular situation. List, discover and search for background facts about
this problem: Try to find the "Hidden" whys by answering the following questions: Why is this decision or situation a problem? ________________________________ Who or what does this problem effect? ____________________________________ List the symptoms of this problem: _______________________________________ List the surface cause of this problem: _____________________________________ What are the deep-rooted causes of this problem?
_____________Ask Why 5 times Who is this decision or situation a problem for? ______________________________ What other problems is this one related to? _________________________________ How did this problem start? _____________________________________________ How long has this problem been going on? _________________________________ List additional factors that make this a problem: _____________________________ What are the base ingredients that caused this to become a problem in the first place? ______________________________________ Which one is the weakest link? If the problem is conflict, state the different perspectives of the individual parties involved. Think back to the original decision or situation that made this a problem in the first place. Who made this decision? ___________________ Why was this decision made - to correct what original problem or concern? State the original problem or concern? _____________________________________ If this problem started from a previous decision, test the original decision for soundness. Was this decision economically ____, ecologically ____, socially____, & spiritually sound ____, as related to the long-term desired results? YES or NO. Name the "Whole" affected by this problem: (Name all the people and things that this problem affects) _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Step #3 State How You Would Like this Problem to End:
Step #4 Brainstorming Solutions Be sure you are now considering the WHOLE problem. Pool all your resources. Set a group of people down with the whole problem written out in front of them. Have them come up with a list of alternative solutions that will help solve the original base problem. Step #5 Selected best Solutions Are: List several good solutions that best solves this problem _______________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Step #6 Testing Solutions for Soundness Will the solution pass the following testing guidelines? Test each decision or recommended solution for soundness. 1 Is this solution dealing with a symptom (effect) or the deeper underlying causes of the problem? 2 Could this action unleash other "problems" (list other symptoms to look for)? 3 Will this solution move toward or away from the predetermined statement? :
4 Is this solution addressing the weakest link when looking at the real causes of this problem? 5 Is this solution Economically Sound? The next best way to spend $$. Are there other area needs 6 Is this solution or decision Environmentally Sound? What will happen to the environment? 7 Is this solution or decision Socially Sound? How will it affect community and relationship? 8 Is this solution or decision Spiritually Sound? What effects will this have on your faith. 9 Will this solutions take us toward our Values (What we believe in). 10 Will this decision take us the toward our Mission Statement (Who we are) 11 Will this decision take us toward our Vision (Where we are going). Also consider the Quality of life wanted, the predetermined landscape/environment description and the forms of production needed - see last page) 12 Are you considering the other people’s perspectives or self biases in this action? If you are alone in this problem solving effort change the We to I or me in the above questions
Step #7 The Solution is:
____________________________________________________________________________
Step #7 Recommended Action Plan Who is going to take responsibility for this action? _____________________ List each step for this action. Scheduled dates for completion. Step 1________________________________________________________ Date _______ Step 2 ________________________________________________________ Date _______ Step 3 ________________________________________________________ Date _______ Step 4 ________________________________________________________ Date _______ and so on _____________________________________________________ Date _______ Once you have implemented this new action, what other negative items may arise? ________________ ______________ ____________ _____________ Problem Solving is really fixing several small important items that help fix the WHOLE problem. Step #8 Monitoring for Needed Adjustment If this solution goes astray and/or leads you off track, list the early warning criteria - those things to watch out for so adjustments can be made before other serious problems arise. ________________ Please let us know if you used this method and how it worked or did not work for you? E-mail us at rutbuster@montana.net
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