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An Expert Guide to Problem Solving: With Practical Examples
Most of us encounter problems in our lives, either at work or at home. These problems cause stress in our minds and leave us exhausted. Instinctively, we start to take ad-hoc actions that we think will resolve the problem, but we soon realize that our actions are not effective and do not prevent or solve the core problem.
Structured problem solving provides a systematic approach to identifying the root causes to a problem. Many scientific tools and methods have been developed to identify effective solutions to any problem. The most widely used problem-solving techniques are listed below:
- Fishbone Diagram
- Brainstorming
- Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- SWOT matrix
- 5Whys
In this latest version of the book, I have added a new chapter with six additional problem-solving techniques as:
- Six Thinking Hats
- Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle
- Hurson's Productive Thinking Model
- Story Boarding
- Means-Ends Analysis (MEA)
- First Principles Thinking
Several organizations leverage these problem-solving methods to manage their problems at work. Learning about problem-solving tools will definitely help you to effectively solve your problems at work and in everyday life.
This book will give you an understanding of the different problem-solving tools along with practical examples and applications of these tools.
Structured problem solving provides a systematic approach to identifying the root causes to a problem. Many scientific tools and methods have been developed to identify effective solutions to any problem. The most widely used problem-solving techniques are listed below:
- Fishbone Diagram
- Brainstorming
- Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- SWOT matrix
- 5Whys
In this latest version of the book, I have added a new chapter with six additional problem-solving techniques as:
- Six Thinking Hats
- Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle
- Hurson's Productive Thinking Model
- Story Boarding
- Means-Ends Analysis (MEA)
- First Principles Thinking
Several organizations leverage these problem-solving methods to manage their problems at work. Learning about problem-solving tools will definitely help you to effectively solve your problems at work and in everyday life.
This book will give you an understanding of the different problem-solving tools along with practical examples and applications of these tools.
130 pages, Paperback
Published November 18, 2016
28 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Aditi Agarwal
23 books18 followersAditi Agarwal is an experienced leader who leverages an outcome-driven approach to help teams innovate, embrace change, continuously improve, and deliver valuable experiences. She is an empathic, agile, and resilient leader with 22+ years of unparalleled excellence in driving strategic initiatives. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her loving family. Her mission is to share her knowledge and accelerate learning for others.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 16, 2017
"An Expert Guide to Problem Solving" by Aditi Agarwal, is a self-paced motivational book to help solve all problems in your life.
Aditi Agarwal continues to help readers to positively influence and change their lives. In "An Expert Guide to Problem Solving: With Practical Examples" Aditi Agarwal applies her expertise to assist individuals with both personal and business related problems. The first part of the book is dedicated to help uncover the root of the problem and analyse all causes, using a "Structured Problem Solving" approach. Each structured approach has a number of easy-to-follow and descriptive examples and illustrations or templates for a reader to find out which best suits their needs in solving their problem. The proven techniques available are: The Fishbone Diagram, Brainstorming, SWOT, The FMEA Techniques and the 5-Ways Technique. These tools give a reliable structured approach to solving the problem rather than adhoc methods. With more understanding of the root of the problem, plus the main causes of the issues, together, will lead to more knowledgeable and workable solutions to the problem.
Aditi Agarwal's books including "An Expert Guide to Problem Solving", are easy-to-read and follow for readers. Her approach allows the reader to make informed choices that best fit their situation, not a one-must-fit all. Giving readers a choice gives them more ownership and knowledge to solve their problems. The techniques are broad ranged, which allow both individual and business problems to be solved with the same methods. This book can be used for more than one occasion, adapting each time to each situation, or with a combination of techniques, which is a great bonus. As with all her books too, Aditi Agarwal writing style allows a reader to take as much or as little as they like from every book. Lastly, the examples given for both the technique and types of problems make this book stand out from other problem solving books. Individuals with little problem solving expertise will be able to follow this book, opening this book to a broader group of readers.
Another quality approach to solving life's challenges, "An Expert Guide to Problem Solving" by Aditi Agarwal. I recommend this book for anyone looking to solve a problem, who wants to make an informed decision with adaptable solutions.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Aditi Agarwal continues to help readers to positively influence and change their lives. In "An Expert Guide to Problem Solving: With Practical Examples" Aditi Agarwal applies her expertise to assist individuals with both personal and business related problems. The first part of the book is dedicated to help uncover the root of the problem and analyse all causes, using a "Structured Problem Solving" approach. Each structured approach has a number of easy-to-follow and descriptive examples and illustrations or templates for a reader to find out which best suits their needs in solving their problem. The proven techniques available are: The Fishbone Diagram, Brainstorming, SWOT, The FMEA Techniques and the 5-Ways Technique. These tools give a reliable structured approach to solving the problem rather than adhoc methods. With more understanding of the root of the problem, plus the main causes of the issues, together, will lead to more knowledgeable and workable solutions to the problem.
Aditi Agarwal's books including "An Expert Guide to Problem Solving", are easy-to-read and follow for readers. Her approach allows the reader to make informed choices that best fit their situation, not a one-must-fit all. Giving readers a choice gives them more ownership and knowledge to solve their problems. The techniques are broad ranged, which allow both individual and business problems to be solved with the same methods. This book can be used for more than one occasion, adapting each time to each situation, or with a combination of techniques, which is a great bonus. As with all her books too, Aditi Agarwal writing style allows a reader to take as much or as little as they like from every book. Lastly, the examples given for both the technique and types of problems make this book stand out from other problem solving books. Individuals with little problem solving expertise will be able to follow this book, opening this book to a broader group of readers.
Another quality approach to solving life's challenges, "An Expert Guide to Problem Solving" by Aditi Agarwal. I recommend this book for anyone looking to solve a problem, who wants to make an informed decision with adaptable solutions.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2017
Very easy and concise description of each technique.
This was a very easy read of the techniques. The definitions were clear and concise and he provided a good range of examples for each technique.
This was a very easy read of the techniques. The definitions were clear and concise and he provided a good range of examples for each technique.
January 3, 2020
I have existed in Corporate America long enough and been through enough learning sessions, training seminars, grad school classes, and continuing education courses to have been briefed on Fishbone diagrams, SWOT analyses, 5 Whys analysis, etc. more times than I would care to count. (I have even taught these subjects myself on occasion.) There is many a time when I have been sitting through my 3rd or 4th marathon session on what an Ishikawa diagram is where I have thought to myself, this could have been given us to read and it would have taken a tenth of the time this presenter is taking. And thanks to this book, I have been proven correct.
An Expert Guide to Problem-Solving is a down-to-basics presentation of some of the more common problem solving tools that could be used in just about any industry. They are conveyed in a very straightforward manner with no undefined technical jargon, so I think a novice could pick up the book and start implementing the tactics here without too much difficulty. And as a fast read, you could leave work one evening and return the next morning with a full arsenal box of problems solving tools.
That being said, I did have a few nits to pick. The first is with the examples used in the book for each type of problem solving system. The author kept the examples very generic, and that is not what I really like to read from a subject matter expert. I want the examples to be from real-life instances that the author has experienced, preferably with companies I recognize (or could Google if I was curious), or at least some more concrete examples. For instance, any time we look at the 5 Whys, the instructor always brings out the case of the Jefferson Memorial (I won't go into the details, but you can Google it if you're curious). Those more anecdotal examples have the ability to serve as demonstrations and they're a little less dry for the reader than the more generic offerings.
Overall, a good read for someone who is interested in learning about these tools.
An Expert Guide to Problem-Solving is a down-to-basics presentation of some of the more common problem solving tools that could be used in just about any industry. They are conveyed in a very straightforward manner with no undefined technical jargon, so I think a novice could pick up the book and start implementing the tactics here without too much difficulty. And as a fast read, you could leave work one evening and return the next morning with a full arsenal box of problems solving tools.
That being said, I did have a few nits to pick. The first is with the examples used in the book for each type of problem solving system. The author kept the examples very generic, and that is not what I really like to read from a subject matter expert. I want the examples to be from real-life instances that the author has experienced, preferably with companies I recognize (or could Google if I was curious), or at least some more concrete examples. For instance, any time we look at the 5 Whys, the instructor always brings out the case of the Jefferson Memorial (I won't go into the details, but you can Google it if you're curious). Those more anecdotal examples have the ability to serve as demonstrations and they're a little less dry for the reader than the more generic offerings.
Overall, a good read for someone who is interested in learning about these tools.
January 24, 2020
Simple, concrete... With examples!
I found this book very useful, informative and helpful on my day-to-day activities. It started with a story similar to small talk, but with a deep meesage easy to connect with. In the later pages, the concepts, examples and homework!, help you to really understand the message of the book. I found this very refreshing to read. I will be practicing for sure some practices.
I found this book very useful, informative and helpful on my day-to-day activities. It started with a story similar to small talk, but with a deep meesage easy to connect with. In the later pages, the concepts, examples and homework!, help you to really understand the message of the book. I found this very refreshing to read. I will be practicing for sure some practices.
October 18, 2017
Very basic
Very basic and elementary level.
This is what is used in six sigma training.
Expected much more and other methods
Very basic and elementary level.
This is what is used in six sigma training.
Expected much more and other methods
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews