The 7 Secrets of Bulletproof Problem Solving

Problems, problems, problems! Life is full of problems.

Whether it's the big stuff or the small stuff, we're told not to sweat about - we all face problems every day. I guess it's part of the joy of being alive on this beautiful planet.

Unfortunately, most of us are never taught a problem-solving system. We just sort of wing it and hope for the best.

But what if you could systematically approach and solve problems like a total boss? Well, there are tried and trusted methods to do just that.

In this post, I'll share seven secrets of bulletproof problem solving that I learned while reading the awesome book, "Bulletproof Problem Solving" by two former big-time consultants, Rob McLean and Charles Conn.

Secret #1 - Define your problem CLEARLY

I know this sounds obvious. But you'd be shocked how often people jump into solving a problem without being crystal clear about the actual problem.

For example, I once spent almost an hour troubleshooting why my cordless lawnmower wouldn't turn on - before realising that the fuse had blown in the plug.

Doh!

Always take as long as you need to define the real issue before moving onto step two.

Secret #2 - Break it into logical chunks

Problems are easier to solve when you break them down into smaller pieces.

Rob and Charles call this “disaggregation” and encourage using tree diagrams to map out the components of a problem.

I recently taught this approach to determine why a coaching client felt stuck. Together we made a tree diagram with branches like “work stress,” “health issues,” “too many life commitments”, etc.

This step-by-step, methodical approach helped the client to track down the source of the 'stuckness' to a lack of clarity about her future. Disaggregation to the rescue!

Secret #3 - Prioritise ruthlessly

One of the biggest problem-solving problems is spending time analysing stuff that doesn't matter.

Problem-solving pros recommend a ruthless prioritisation using simple “knock-out analyses”. Focus only on the important pieces of the problem puzzle and those with significant potential impact.

For example, if you're deciding whether to repaint your front door fluorescent orange, time spent analysing paint colours is probably less valuable than first checking if your local authority allows orange doors!

Secret #4 - Plan your work and work your plan

Before diving into analysis, the authors suggest creating a specific plan that links back to your hypotheses and research questions. This prevents wasted effort and keeps you and your team on track.

I once saw this go wrong working with a client who was working on a pitch for a potential new client. The team got so excited about making fancy charts and graphs that they forgot to assign research time to develop a convincing argument. They lost the deal when the client started to ask relatively basic probing questions.

Secret #5 - Start simple, then add complexity

When problem-solving, looking for clever statistical models or 'golden rules' is tempting. But it's usually better to start with simple heuristics, rules of thumb, and quick summaries.

As my wise old maths teacher, Mr Wilkins, used to tell us in the sixth form, "Start with what you know and take it step-by-step."

I still failed my maths tests. But what clever 'Mr Wilko' (I know, we weren't a creative bunch at college) was saying was that we should simplify problem-solving.

Secret #6 - Synthesise your findings

After your analysis, great problem solvers take time to synthesise their findings and insights. They then create exciting visuals and compelling narratives to convince others too.

I often see so many data-dense presentations that I need help to digest in my work. Try to practice Winston Churchill's advice: “Short words are best, and the old words, when short, are best of all.” And he solved many problems, didn't he...although he created a fair few too.

Secret #7 - Iterate the 7 steps

Here's the truth - problem-solving is dynamic. It's an iterative cycle. Be ready, therefore, to go back and adjust as new information emerges.

We were recently certain our cockapoo, Ollie, was sick because he was lethargic and not eating. But further “disaggregation” revealed he had hurt his shoulder during a rigorous 'catch ball game! When we realised this, we started to panic less and stopped googling “diseases that make dogs lethargic” and iterated our approach to his care and wellbeing.

So, there you have it - 7 secrets of bulletproof problem-solving.

With some practice, this systematic approach can help you tackle problems large and small, serious and not so. Now, go forth and problem-solve like a champ!