Skip to main content
22 May, 2018

Easy Guide to Practice Problem Solving Skill

Everyone can come with a problem but not all of them can offer a solution. Problem solving isn’t a skill that we’re born with. It’s a skill that we learn over time with practice and experience. Some are better at it than others, but it’s a skill anyone can learn and enhance. Problem solving skill is a necessary workplace skill after all. As interns, it's a worthy skill that you need to posess as it gives a great chance for you to impress your boss and stand out. So, what you can do to enhance your problem solving skill?

Image source: bodhih.com

Identify the problem

The first practice to enhance your problem solving skill is to identify the problem. Be aware. You need to admit the fact that a problem exists. It may sound easy but some people just don’t know what is the problem that they need to solve. They’re overwhelmed with emotions and just see the big obstacles. However, great problem solvers try usually to identify the very roots of the problematic situation. It is not enough to say that the situation is bad as this is very abstract and unhelpful. It is more important to clarify where those problems and challenges come from. 

Break it down

The next step to enhance your problem solving skill is to break down the problem into small pieces. We need to know the details of the problem. Identifying is just a starting point. We need to define it further. Ask yourself what caused the problem, what happens if the problem remains unsolved,and many more. You can also try to ask the question “why” on a problem repeatedly. It will help you to dig into the root cause of a problem, and that’s how you can find the best solution.

Identify possible solutions

Try to list all possible solutions. Don’t worry if they seem ridiculous at first. The point is to keep an open mind to boost creative thinking, which can trigger potential solutions. Whatever you do – don't ridicule yourself for coming up with ‘stupid solutions’ as it’s often the crazy ideas that trigger other more feasible solutions.

Act on it

Acting effectively is the final touch in the problem solving process. This is also an important skill as it doesn’t matter how effectively you identify the problem, define it, and examine possible solutions; the ability to execute the action plan is what matter.

Look for lesson to learn

At the moment when the problem is solved, it’s time to sit down with all of your problem-solving trees and action plans. This is the moment to look back and see if there is a need to tune up the work that has been completed. Evaluate the entire process and the lessons to be learned so the next problem-solving project will be more effective and produce even more elegant solutions. 

Good problem solving skill is fundamentally important if you're going to be successful in your internship and career. Try not to view problems as ‘scary’ things. All a problem is telling you is that something is not currently working and that you need to find a new way around it. So try and approach problems without any judgment. Practice focusing on defining a problem, keep calm and not to make things too complicated.