Management problem solving and analysis techniques

A practical compendium of effective tools for the professional knowledge worker and executive.
Management problem solving and analysis techniques - A practical compendium of effective tools for the professional knowledge worker and executive.   

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Book Summary - (to be revised )(download version)

Preface

In the business world, managers often postpone major decisions, fearing that a wrong choice could harm the business and their career. Similarly, in our personal lives, many important decisions are put off or made by default. Lack of insight and understanding of a complex issue is a common reason why people postpone making major decisions.

As a knowledge worker it is important to be proficient in using appropriate toos for day to day problem solving and decision making. The tools proesented can be used by anyone who deals with non-numeric problems on a regular baisis. Most of the tools and techniques presented in this book can be used in a group setting.


Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION 1
Decision Making Process 2
Problem Definition 3
Deciding on tools for analysis 5
Is a technique always required?8
Tools for ideas and numbers 9

2. SOLUTION FORMING PROCESSES 13
APPROACHES TO A SOLUTION 15
Perception Issues 15
Dealing with Perception Issues 15
Dealing with Information Barriers 16
USEFUL GROUP PRACTICES 17
PROBLEM SOLVING ENVIRONMENT 19
Social Environment 19
Physical Environment 20
Problem Solving Steps: 22

3. TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES 25
4. Complementary Skills for MANAGEMENT PROBLEM SOLVING TECHNIQUES 43

4. COMPLEMENTARY SKILLS 45
INTRODUCTION 45
ISM AND COMPLEMENTARY SKILLS 45
Skills Needed for Group based Application of ISM 46
DESCRIPTION OF ISM STEPS 49
Step 1 - Define the Problem or Issue to be Analyzed 50
Step 2 - Create List of Ideas 58
Step 3 - Research Ideas to Understand Significance 72
Step 4 - Construct the ISM 73
Step 5 - Creating Action Plans 92

6 TOOLS and TECHNIQUES137
ACTIVITY NETWORK DIAGRAM 145
AFFINITY DIAGRAM 140
VENN DIAGRAM 142
CROSS IMPACT TABLE 148
FISHBONE DIAGRAM 148
FLOWCHARTS 149
IMPACT MAP 159
IMPACT WHEEL 156
INTENT STRUCTURE 157
INTERRELATIONSHIP DIAGRAM 147
NOMINAL GROUP TECHNIQUE 147
PRIORITY STRUCTURE 143
PUGH MATRIX 147
ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS 151
SEQUENCING AND PRIORITIZATION 138
TREE DIAGRAM 154
VENN DIAGRAM 151

APPENDIX A - FACILITATOR"S ROLE 163
VISUAL MAPPING 163
DIVERSITY OF IDEAS 165

APPENDIX B - TEMPLATES 67
BACKGROUND 167
TRANSITIVE LOGIC 167

APPENDIX D - QUESTIONS FOR SESSION FEEDBACK 171
 
APPENDIX E - EXAMPLES 175
APPENDIX F - SOFTWARE 183
 
APPENDIX G - EXAMPLE SOLUTIONS 184
 
GLOSSARY 187
 
INDEX 193
 
REFERENCES 198
 

List of Figures
Figure 1-5: Decision-Making Processes


Figure 3-3: Strategic Planning Process
Figure 3-4: Traditional Scenario Planning Process

Figure 4-1: Facilitation Skills
Figure 4-2: Process to create a useful list of ideas

Figure 6-1: Example Venn Diagram
Figure 6-2: Example Impact Wheel

List of Tables

Table 1: Comparison of Operations for Ideas and for Numbers
Table 2: Implementation of Problem Solving Steps
Table 3: Management Tools and their Strengths

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