Effective Problem Solving vs Biased Solutions

Does simple problem ends up with complex solution?

Very often. It’s people that make problems complicated and solutions complex.

Problems can end up with biased solutions as decision makers have ‘hidden agenda’ and mindsets of their own. More often than not, they have already jumped to the solutions before identifying and defining the problem clearly.

How the problem is defined often ‘molds’ the solutions to be implemented.

Take the example of low-wage workers in every country and how this problem is defined:

1)  Low-wage workers cannot get out of poverty because their jobs’ productivity is low in their low-level jobs shunned by many.

2)  Low-wage workers cannot keep up with the rising cost of living that are beyond their controls.  

Do you see the difference and possible outcomes?

When executives and management do not define the problem clearly, often they ended up implementing biased solutions. This misstep is known as Biased Problem-Solving.   

Thus, the key to effective problem solving is its first-step in defining the problem clearly before proceeding to the next step.