EPISODE E3.003 Creating a Common Problem Solving - Decision Making Model

Introduction
Here we are in the last week of July and the first month of the 3rd Quarter is ending - how much closer are you to success?

If you have been with us all month, you know we have been railing against the politicians and bureaucrats for acting arbitrarily in response to the pandemic; and any illusion they are making data-based decisions should have been dispelled by now. This is not about a specific political party or group, it is about the arbitrary use of power at the expense of the most important global community - you.

People like us, Living the Life, employ 57% of the planet's population and yet are treated as the source of its problems. Not here, we celebrate the contribution you make to a better society and our focus is to improve your chances of success. 

This week we continue the new programming structure. We use a Balanced Scorecard to format our weekday shows: Finance (Monday) = Operations (Tuesday) + Sales (Customers) + People (Employees) with Fridays dedicated to Owners. Look at the week this way - Monday through Thursday is working IN the Present, Friday is working ON the Future.

Also, we just built a new community, our version of a Chamber of Commerce. Join Up and gain access to our Hosts and access our library of best practices.

Have a great business week.
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Show Objectives
Although this will evolve over time, what appears to be just a 'nice' thing to do, it is really the future of how the business will operate. Think about how different your role and the company's performance will be if everyone uses a proven model for getting at the root cause of problems and then arrives at the best decision. It won't always be right - just most of the time and with the same track record as you.
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Key Issues - ​Owner Perspective:

1. Ensuring the root cause is identified
2. Best Solutions are selected
3. Repeatable and used through the organization.

What You Need to Know

• Understand and Select the Best Problem Solving Model for the Organization
• Understand and Select the Best Decision Making Model for the Organization

What You Need to Do​
Problem Solving

1. 5 Whys - break down the problem.
2. Ishikawa Diagram (Fishbone) - provide structure.
3. Brainstorming the 5 Ms - all of the possible causes
4. Nominal Group - group selects the root cause(s) from the list.
5. Statement of the Problem and Solutions Conditions for decision Making.

Decision Making

1. QFD (Quality Function Deployment) - based on Problem Statement and Solution Conditions, the best solution for stakeholders.
2. Sequence the Solutions - QFD recommendations placed in order of build or implementation.
3. Research the Solutions - subgroups analyze the solutions to complete the build or implementation details.
4. Cost/Benefit for each Solution - final check to ensure solution meets requirements and risk is managed.
5. Select best Implementation Choice for the Solution - submit final list to Operations and/or Marketing & Sales.

Shows

• Previous: EPISODE E3.002 CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING GROWTH FOUNDATION PLAN
• Next: EPISODE E3.004 Introduction of Balanced Scorecard - what and how to measure progress and results