The Problem-Solving, Problem-Prevention, and Decision-Making Guide : Organized and Systematic Roadmaps for Managers

Title: The Problem-Solving, Problem-Prevention, and Decision-Making Guide : Organized and Systematic Roadmaps for Managers
Author: Bob Sproull
ISBN: 0815361408 / 9780815361404
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 232
Publisher: Productivity Press
Year: 2018
Availability: 2 to 3 weeks

Tab Article

Each day, managers and employees are confronted with a plethora of real problems and decisions that are creating issues suchs as lost throughput, poor quality, personnel problems, and material shortages.How they approach these daily quandaries will determine how successful they are at resolving problems and making effective decisions. It is human nature for managers to solutions before they even understand the nature of the problems they are trying to solve. As a result, they end up making blind decisions that change perfectly acceptable processes for incorrect reasons.

The real secret to solving problems does not depend upon the number of sophisticated statistical tools that one applies -- The secret to solving most problems is to keep the approach simple and uncomplicated. Many managers and employees make mistakes because they fail to do what Toyota does so effortlessly. They fail to perform the 'genmba walk,' during which they go to see the actual process, understand the work, ask questions, and learn.

By following a structured approach, and using only simple tools, most problems can be solved, effective decisions can be made, and problems prevented. The cornerstones of this book are three detailed roadmaps for solving problems, preventing problems, and making effective decisions. Each roadmap contains a step-by-step explanation on how to solve existing problems, how to prevent future problems, and how to make effective decisions. The book provides real case studies to illustrate each of the techniques presented in the book.

Tab Article

  • The cornerstones of this book are three roadmaps for solving problems, preventing problems and making decisions. Each roadmap contains a step-by-step explanation on how to solve existing problems, how to prevent future problems, and how to make effective decisions. Real case studies for each of the roadmaps are included.
  • Details three distinctly different types of problems and walks the reader through each one. Points out the major difference between change-related problems, chronic problems and hybrid problems.
  • Contains three, detailed roadmaps which present the step-by-step method for solving problems, preventing problems and making decisions with detailed, real-life examples on how to use each roadmap.
  • Presents a case study that is used to reinforce each of the chapters on problem-solving.
  • Includes a detailed introduction to problem-solving "traps" that can lead a problem-solving team astray.
  • Explains seven most common reasons why people fail to solve problems and then provides ways to avoid these failures.
  • Provides 10 crucial questions leadership must ask to help problem-solving teams stay focused on the right way to solve problems.

Tab Article

Preface

Chapter 1 : The DNA of Problems and Problem Solvers
Chapter 2 : Four Basic Tools of Problem Solving
Chapter 3 : A Structured Approach to Problem Solving
Chapter 4 : Define, Describe and Appraise the Problem
Chapter 5 : Investigate, Organize and Analyze the Data
Chapter 6 : Formulate and Test a Causal Theory Pages
Chapter 7 : Choose the Most Probable Cause
Chapter 8 : Develop, Test and Implement Solutions
Chapter 9 : Implement, Document, and Celebrate
Chapter 10 : Failing at Problem Solving
Chapter 11 : A Message for Leadership
Chapter 12 : A Structured Approach to Problem Prevention
Chapter 13 : Defining High Risk Areas
Chapter 14 : Defining Problems, Failure Modes and Effects
Chapter 15 : Identifying the Highest Total Risk Problem
Chapter 16 : Defining the Most Probable Cause
Chapter 17 :  Developing a Preventive Measures Plan
Chapter 18 : Implement the Preventive Measures Plan
Chapter 19 : The Case of the Engineering Backlog
Chapter 20 : The Case of the Defective Pinions Pages
Chapter 21 : The Case of the Cracking Rails Pages
Chapter 22 : The Case of the Weld Spatter Pages
Chapter 23 : A Case Study in Problem Prevention
Chapter 24 : Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Chapter 25 : A Case Study in Decision Making
Chapter 26 : Needs Assessment

Index