Problem Solving: What Is Problem-Solving Ability and How to Develop It

Problem-solving is the set of skills involved in solving complex problems by integrating logical and creative resources. It is one of the soft skills most in demand in the job market. In fact, today’s workforce requires professionals with strong problem-solving skills to address and resolve the complexities we face in our work, especially during this post-COVID-19 period we are currently experiencing.
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Today’s world of work—shaped by hybrid work and new ways of working —clearly highlights the need for a new approach that strikes the right balance between digital and soft skills. Problem-solving, therefore, becomes not only a means of conveying corporate culture but also an essential skill for navigating moments of uncertainty, fostering—among other things—an openness to change within the organization. In short, it’s a perfect ally for change management!

What is meant by problem-solving skills?

It is essential for a company to use a process that focuses on the “why” behind problems before even trying to figure out how to solve them, but what exactly do we mean by problem-solving?

We can approach problem-solving from two perspectives:

• Simple Problem Solving: This type of approach refers to situations where problem-solving or cognitive tasks rely solely on the use of pure logic.
• Complex problem-solving: This refers to an approach that addresses external problems involving the environment, time, and diverse variables. In this case, there is no single solution.

As is evident, therefore, for businesses, the main topics that decision-makers focus on relate to complex problem-solving that requires multiple solutions and diverse perspectives.
But how can one navigate a strategic problem-solving process when dealing with complex problems? This is where the F.A.R.E. technique comes in handy.

The F.A.R.E. Technique

1. Focus
   The first step is to try to define the problem (or problems) to be analyzed. Gather all relevant materials and information, and contact the people involved at every level.
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2. Analyze
   Next, you need to analyze the problem; it should then be broken down into a series of smaller tasks. Breaking a problem down into smaller tasks will not only make it easier to find solutions, especially in the case of very complex problems that seem too big to tackle.  
   
   
3. Solving
   Once you’ve broken down the main problem into smaller tasks, you need to come up with possible solutions for each one: to find the necessary solutions, you can use techniques such as brainstorming or the solution tree.
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4. Go to
   Finally, the last step is to choose the best solution, and once that’s done, you need to draw up an action plan that guides decision-makers, step by step, through the various stages required to reach the final solution.  

Therefore, problem-solving becomes essential for addressing not only business challenges but also uncertain times, as the McKinsey analysis also shows:

“Effective problem-solving typically involves designing experiments to reduce key uncertainties. Each step provides additional information and builds capabilities.”

Furthermore, to tackle the complexity and uncertainties of the times we are living in today, help can also come from the digital world—for example, from a digital coach like hi |habit-inspiring platform, which allows for the creation of personalized coaching plans tailored to the needs of a specific company.