PROBLEM SOLVING

BY Mr. M. MWANSA
MPH, Bsc-NRS, RNM, RN

SHIMWANSA 2024
INTRODUCTION
• Problems can be very obvious or vague or covert
• Sources of problems are innumerable arising from
many angle internally or externally.
• Many problems have more than one potential solution
• Problem exists whenever there is a difference between
what actually happens and what the supervisor wants to
have happen.
• Problem solving itself does not supply the answers: it is
only a process used to arrive at an answer
SHIMWANSA 2024
DEFINITION
• A problem is a situation or obstacle preventing
something from being achieved.
• Problem solving is the method of taking corrective
action in order to meet objectives.
• A helpful guide in working toward the resolution of a
difficult situation
• Problem-solving is a mental process that involves
discovering, analyzing and solving problems.

SHIMWANSA 2024
CONCEPT
• Problem analyzer has a standard of performance
against which to compare
• A problem is a deviation from the expected standard
• A deviation from a standard must be identified, located
and described
• The cause of the problem is always a change that has
taken place through some distinctive features,
mechanism or condition to produce a new unwanted
effect
SHIMWANSA 2024
PRINCIPLES OF PROBLEM SOLVING
• Proper identification of the problem
• There should clear objectives
• Effective planning
• Embrace creativity and innovation
• Effective communication
• Embrace different opinions
• Ensure availability of resources
• Have some problem solving skills
• Should be guided by organizational policy/ Bureucracy
SHIMWANSA 2024
STEPS IN PROBLEM SOLVING
• In order to correctly solve a problem, it is important to
follow a series of steps. This it referred to as the
problem-solving cycle, which includes developing
strategies and organizing knowledge.
• Steps in problem solving can be used in crisis
intervention because it helps the person or group in
crisis to bring some order to what appears an
uncontrollable situation

SHIMWANSA 2024
Step guide to help you solve
problems
 Step 1: Identify the problem. State the problem as clearly as
possible.
 Step 2: Defining/describing the problem
 Step 3: Problem analysis (Analyze and look for root cause of the
problem)
 Step 4: Planning the solution (Generate possible solutions and
Evaluate alternatives).
 Step 5: Decide on a solution to the problem.
 Step 6: Implement the solution to the problem.
 Step 7: Monitoring and evaluation of the outcome.
SHIMWANSA 2024
STEPS OF PROBLEM SOLVING
1. Identifying the Problem and prioritize it
 While it may seem like an obvious step,
identifying the problem is not always as simple as
it sounds.
 In some cases, people might mistakenly identify
the wrong source of a problem, which will make
attempts to solve it inefficient or even useless.

SHIMWANSA 2024
• Identify the problem and prioritize it; encompasses the
following questions..
Is it important?
Is there support for change?
Does it have emotional appeal?
Are there any risks?
Is it within your sphere?
Is of high risk or volume or problem prone?

SHIMWANSA 2024
STEPS CONT’’
Step 2. Define and describe the Problem
After the problem has been identified, it is
important to fully define the problem so that it can
be solved. Ask the following questions:
What is the problem
How do you know it is a problem
What are its effects.

SHIMWANSA 2024
• STEP 3: Problem Analysis: Analyze the problem
by finding the loot cause so that it helps you in
coming up with effective strategies during
planning

SHIMWANSA 2024
STEPS CONT’’
Step 4: Planning (Forming a Strategy /Generate
alternatives and analyse the alternatives)
• The next step is to develop a strategy to solve the
problem.
• The approach used will vary depending upon the
situation and the individual's unique preferences.
• Identify who will act on the problem

SHIMWANSA 2024
STEPS CONT’’
• Before coming up with a solution, we need to first
organize the available information.
• What do you know about the problem?
• What do you not know?
• The more information that is available, the better
prepared we will be to come up with an accurate
solution.

SHIMWANSA 2024
STEPS CONT’’
Step 5: Choose and design the solution/alternative
• Choose the best alternative that will solve the problem
effectively and allocate the required resources.
• Allocation of resources will depend on how important
the problem is.
• If, however, it is a fairly unimportant problem, then you
do not want to spend too much of your available
resources into coming up with a solution

SHIMWANSA 2024
STEPS CONT’’
Step 6: Implement the solution
• Take action, selecting strategies that are most likely to be
effective and appropriate
• Step 7: Monitoring and evaluation: - Effective problem-
solvers tend to monitor their progress as they work
towards a solution and evaluate the outcome. If they are
not making good progress toward reaching their goal, they
will re-evaluate their approach or look for new strategies.
Evaluation might be immediate, or it can be delayed

SHIMWANSA 2024
Steps in problem solving using Nursing
process
• Assessment: collect data, list as much information
concerning the problem.
• Diagnosis: define the problem, analyze, looking at
patterns and clues in the data
• Plan: select strategies, write every appropriate action
that you can think of
• Implementation: take action, selecting strategies that
are most likely to be effective and appropriate
• Evaluation: evaluate results, think critically about data
collected and evaluate the responses.
SHIMWANSA 2024
SKILLS OF PROBLEM SOLVING
• Active listening skill
• Analytical skill
• Research skill
• Creativity
• Communication
• Decision making
• Team-building skill
• Risk management skill
SHIMWANSA 2024
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PROBLEM
SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING
• Problem solving is the method while decision
making is a process.
• Problem solving is more analytical aspect of
thinking while decision making is more of
judgmental where after thinking, one takes course
of action.
• Decision making is needed during problem
solving to reach the conclusion
SHIMWANSA 2024
DIFF. cont’’
• Decision making involves making a judgement while
problem solving involves developing a plan.
• Decision making talks about choosing an option while
problem solving analyzing a problem.
• Decision making makes choice between alternatives
while problem solving creating a plan of action.
• Decision making asks who, what, where and when
while problem solving asks why and how.

SHIMWANSA 2024
IMPORTANCE OF PROBLEM SOLVING
TO AN ORGANIZATION
• It increases productivity
• Promotes interpersonal relationship
• Helps in decision making process
• Helps in change management
• Helps in implementation process
• Helps to evaluate best solution to take the organization
forward.
• Helps in prudent utilization of resources
SHIMWANSA 2024
BARRIERS TO PROBLEM SOLVING
• Lack of resources
• Lack of creative ideas
• Bureaucracy/organization policy
• Lack of information
• Lack of skills in problem solving
• Unclear objective
• Social and cultural factors

SHIMWANSA 2024
CHAPWA..!!

THANKYOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

SHIMWANSA
SHIMWANSA 2024