Jawn Lam

Finding the Reasons to Resolve

Problem Solving & Decision MakingEssay3 min read

Grasping the reasons and objectives behind resolving a problem broadens thinking and fosters the development of comprehensive solutions. Being aware of the purpose acts as a significant motivator. It is important for individuals to consistently question, "What is the purpose of wanting to resolve this situation?"

Understanding the underlying reasons and objectives for addressing a problem is critical. This understanding not only broadens the scope of thinking but also aids in generating thorough and encompassing solutions. Recognizing the purpose behind solving a problem serves as a critical driver of motivation and creativity, guiding teams toward effective and innovative solutions. Keep the following key concepts in mind as you select which questions to address:

  1. Identifying the Motivation. Start by identifying, with your team, the primary motivations for resolving the problem. This might involve understanding the business impact, the benefits of resolution, or the potential risks of inaction. Recognizing these motivations helps in aligning efforts with broader business objectives.
  2. Purpose-Driven Problem-Solving. Make your problem-solving purpose-driven. Continually ask about the purpose behind your efforts to resolve the situation. This helps maintain focus and ensures that solutions are reactive and aligned with the company's strategic goals.
  3. Encouraging Broad Thinking. Expand your thinking beyond immediate solutions. Understanding the "why" behind a problem enables a more holistic approach, considering all possible angles and impacts of potential solutions.
  4. Developing Purpose-Centric Solutions. Develop solutions centered around the identified purpose. This involves brainstorming sessions focused on what can be done and why it should be done, ensuring that the solutions are meaningful and impactful.
  5. Continuous Re-evaluation of Purpose. Re-evaluate the purpose as the situation evolves. Business environments are dynamic, and the initial purpose might grow or change, necessitating a reassessment of strategies and solutions.
  6. Documenting and Communicating Purpose. Establish the identified purpose and its reasoning. This ensures transparency and alignment across the team and helps communicate the rationale behind decisions to stakeholders.

By understanding the purpose behind resolving business problems, teams can develop more effective, strategic, and comprehensive solutions. This approach aligns efforts with business objectives and fosters a culture of purposeful and innovative problem-solving.

The questions

Be judicious in asking questions; too many can be counterproductive.

The questions for finding the reasons to resolve

Seventy-four questions in three groups. Tick the ones that fit your problem, then copy them, or let the figure pick three to start with.

1 question picked0 questions picked

CopiedCould not copy
Three questions drawn at random will show here.
  1. How does this problem and its resolution align with the organization's commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion?
  2. How does this problem and its resolution align with the organization's commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion?
  3. How does this problem and its resolution align with the organization's commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion?

Exploratory Assessment

This group thoroughly examines the problem with an emphasis on understanding the underlying reasons for seeking a resolution. Questions should guide the problem-solver in exploring the problem's nature, its organizational impact, and the motivations for addressing it. The aim is to unearth the root causes and broader context, looking beyond the immediate issue to understand the necessity and implications of resolution. This analytical and investigative approach is critical for understanding why the problem must be resolved and how it aligns with the organization's broader goals.

Practicable Analysis

Questions in this category are designed to assess the practical implications of the problem and the necessity of its resolution. This involves identifying immediate operational impacts, key stakeholders affected, and potential benefits of resolving the issue. The focus is on practical considerations like resource allocation, constraints, and setting specific objectives motivated by the identified reasons for resolution. This group is geared toward understanding the tangible impact of the problem and the practical benefits that resolution would bring, thereby reinforcing the purpose behind problem-solving efforts.

Critical Evaluation

This group's questions are intended to critically evaluate the long-term implications and broader significance of resolving the problem. This involves delving into the underlying motivations, potential biases in the perception of the problem, and the long-term benefits of a resolution. The focus is on ensuring that the reasons for resolving the problem are sustainable, ethically sound, and aligned with future organizational goals and changes in the business environment. This critical evaluation is essential for confirming that the resolution aligns with the organization's values and strategic direction, ensuring that the effort to solve the problem yields meaningful and lasting benefits.

Tools for this step

  • Prioritized Purpose Planner lists every purpose for solving the problem, scores and ranks them, and carries the top ones into a goal statement and its sub-goals.

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