How can Urban Planners use problem solving skills to advance their careers?

1 Identify the problem

To clearly define a problem you are trying to solve is the first step in problem solving. Though this may seem obvious, urban planners often come across vague, ambiguous, or conflicting issues that need to be analyzed and framed carefully. To identify the problem, ask yourself and others some critical questions such as what is the current situation and what is the desired outcome, who are the stakeholders and what are their needs and expectations, what are the constraints and opportunities of the context and resources, what are the root causes and symptoms of the problem, and how can it be measured and evaluated? By asking these questions, you can narrow down the scope of the problem, comprehend its complexity, and communicate it effectively to others.

2 Generate alternatives

The next step in problem solving is to generate as many possible solutions as you can. This calls for creativity and innovation, and the exploration of different perspectives and approaches. To do this, you can use brainstorming techniques such as mind mapping, SWOT analysis, and SCAMPER. Mind mapping is a visual tool that helps organize ideas and connect them to the main problem. SWOT analysis is a strategic tool that evaluates the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of each potential solution. SCAMPER is a creative tool that helps modify or improve existing solutions by asking seven questions: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, or Reverse. By using these techniques, you can generate a variety of solutions and avoid being restricted to one or two obvious ones.

3 Evaluate alternatives

The third step in problem solving is to evaluate the alternatives you have generated and select the best one. To do this, you need to use your analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as criteria and methods to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of each solution. Cost-benefit analysis is a quantitative tool that helps calculate the net value of each solution; multi-criteria analysis is a qualitative tool that ranks each solution according to multiple criteria; and risk analysis is a probabilistic tool that helps identify potential risks and uncertainties. By using these tools, you can objectively evaluate the alternatives and choose the one that best fits your problem and context.

4 Implement the solution

The final step in problem solving is to implement the solution you have selected and monitor its results. This requires project management and communication skills, as well as collaboration with others. To do this, you should use action planning tools such as SMART goals, Gantt charts, and stakeholder analysis. SMART goals help set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for your solution. A Gantt chart is a visual tool that helps schedule and track activities and milestones. Stakeholder analysis is a relational tool that identifies and engages people affected by or involved in the solution. By applying these tools, you can effectively implement the solution and monitor its performance and impact.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?