Become a better problem solver by reframing the problem
( — for managers mostly)
One of the most powerful tools available to product and/or project managers and entrepreneurs is reframing!
We use in two primary ways.
First, to help us solve the right problem. Second, to take an existing innovation and apply it in a more valuable way.
Why are a lot of people not naturally good problem solvers?
There are two parts to problem solving.
Most of us are good at idea generator — coming up with new ideas to solve a problem.
The other part, problem finding, is vastly under-studied. Problem finding is understanding the problem itself
Example of this can be the slow elevator problem. Suppose you’re the owner of an office building, and your tenants are annoyed that the elevator is too slow.
Many people, especially engineers might try to fix this by making the elevator faster. Instead, landlords often put mirrors in the elevator.
When people focus on the mirrors, they forget time.
The mirrors are a solution to a different problem— they don’t make the elevator faster but they solve the problem of people being annoyed.
Often to find a solution, you have to step back from the problem that’s been put in front of you and consider whether there’s another solution.
Steps for reframing a problem
1- Start with saying, “hold on. What’s the problem we’re trying to solve?”
This first step is important because it keeps people from going into solution mode.
2- Don’t figure out how you’re going to build something: figure out why you’re going to build it.
3- Put the reason in a sentence or two. Next, Step back and ask, “Is there a different way of thinking about that problem?”
4- Finally, swing back into action. bring the problem into the real world, and start talking to your team or colleagues, in a meeting perhaps? that’s how its supposed to be.
Reframing problems is a very rapid process. It should be a habit of mind; whenever you’re presented with a problem, quickly take a step back and figure out what you’re trying to achieve.
Reframing problems is also really difficult to do alone. Recruit others to discuss the problem with, so that you can look at it from different perspectives.
Another tool is looking for bright spots. Look for positive exceptions of someone else dealing with the problem or a time when you solved the problem before.
Rethink your goal question whether you’re aiming for the right goal, think beyond the scope of the problem that is presented and find a new angle.
Look in the mirror.
Look at your own role in the problem and try to figure out how to do something differently.
Instead of wishing you could change your clients or partners, figure out what you need to change about yourself and the work you’re doing.
How do we know whether we’ve framed a problem correctly?
Use an iterative process. Reframe the problem, then work on it, then revisit it and ask what you’ve learned and whether you’re on the right track.
Go out and test — do experiments, talk to people, start a meeting with your team — to figure it out.
Whether you’re on the right track or not, sometimes, you suddenly know that a particular perspective makes sense based on your past experience.
That can also be a sign that you’re onto something important.
What challenges have you seen with reframing problems and how can we avoid those?
Some people emphasize doing over thinking. You can solve a lot of small problems by just moving forward, and you don’t have to take a huge amount of time to think deeply about your problems.
However, it is important to make sure you’re solving the right problems by taking five or ten minutes to reframe your problem.
You can run into resistance when your client or partner just wants to move forward, but you think the problem needs to be reframed.
One approach is to present a framework that includes reframing.
People will tend to trust the process. Positioning and the words you choose are very important.
You can collect data or perform an assessment to help make a point.
Sometimes you have to let people make a mistake. If someone is resistant to reframing, you might need to just gain their trust so that in the future they’ll be more open.
Reframing is a powerful tool for being a better problem solver and a better manager.
Don’t overlook it, and if you can get better at it, this is the time.
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Thanks for reading!
Sam worked in the profit and non-profit sector. he’s led projects in India, UK, Tanzania and Yemen as a humanitarian worker. He’s also the recipient of the “United Nations Africa Recognition Award” in 2018 for his work in the development sector.
