1. What is Problem? 2. What is problem solving?

3. Steps to Problem Solving 4. Techniques of Problem Solving

5. Case Study on USP Tool.
Introduction to Case.
Introduction to USP Tool.
implementation of Tool.
Conclusion.
6. Case Study on Value Chain Tool.
Introduction to Case.
Introduction to value Chain Tool.
Implementation of Tool.
Conclusion.
7. Case Study on Appreciation
Tool.

Most people rush to find
solution before knowing the
real problem.

unknown
Problem is a chance for you to do your
best.

A problem is the difference between the
actual state and desired state.

A problem is an opportunity for
improvement.



Most people spend more time and
energy going around problems
than in trying to solve them.

Henry Ford

Problem solving is a tool, a skill and a
process.


It is a tool because it can help you to solve
an immediate problem or to achieve a
goal.

It is a skill because once you have learnt
it you can use it repeatedly, like the
ability to ride a bicycle, add numbers or
speak a language.


It is also a process because it involves a
number of steps.

STEPS:

1.Identify the problem
Involves identifying the problem in order
to find an appropriate solution.

2.Explore the problem
Looking at the problem from different
angles. Such as:
How is this problem affecting ?




3.Set goals
After having thought about the problem
from different angles one can identify
their goals.

4.Look at Alternatives
Involves brain-storming for ideas to
collect a list of possibilities.


5.Select a possible solution
Choosing the most relevant and
manageable alternative.

6.Implement a possible solution
Putting the chosen solution in action.

7.Evaluate
Examining the possible solution for its
effectiveness. For e.g.:
How effective was that solution?







Appreciation - Extracting maximum
information from facts.

Drill-Down - Breaking problems down
into manageable parts.

Cause & Effect Diagrams - Identifying
likely causes of problems.

Systems Diagrams - Understanding
how factors affect each other.

SWOT - Analyzing strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and
threats.

Cash Flow Forecasting with
Spreadsheets - Analyzing whether an
idea is financially viable.

Risk Analysis Porter's Five Forces -
Understanding the balance of power in
a situation.

PEST Analysis - Understanding "big
picture" forces of change.

Value Chain Analysis - Achieving
excellence in the things that matter.

USP Analysis - Finding competitive
edge
Dan Jackson, the new CEO of LPC Office
Supplies.

He was confused by the situation he'd
inherited, and felt that the company was
drifting.

He was worried that the company had no
distinctive market position (no competitive
edge)

He decided to use USP Analysis.
It's your "Competitive Edge". Its the reason
why customers buy from you and you alone.

Process :
1. Understand the Characteristics that
Customers Value.
2. Rank Yourself and Your Competitors By These
Criteria.
3. Identify Where You Rank Well.
4. Preserve Your USP (and Use It!).



1. Understand the Characteristics that Customers
Value.
After talking to the company's biggest customers,

Dan has identified the following criteria as important:
- Price
- Quality of merchandise
- Range
- Catalog quality
- Website appearance and navigation
- Ease of ordering
- Speed of delivery
- Reliability of delivery.

LPC
SUPPLIES
BARNWICK
SMITH
ROSKAN
GROUP
HTX
SUPPLIES
PRICE 7 9 6 6
QUALITY 7 7 7 7
RANGE 9 6 5 9
CATALOGUE
QUALITY
9 7 6 9
WEBSITE 9 7 6 8
EASE OF
ORDERING
7 7 7 6
SPEED OF
DELIVERY
6 7 9 9
RELIABILITY 7 7 9 9

Dan is sure that LPC can compete effectively
against these competitors by emphasizing the
breadth of its range and the quality of its
catalog.

Dan decides to invest in LPC's website and its
customer service systems, with a view to
opening up a clear gap between itself and
HTX.

And he then launches a marketing campaign
stressing LPC's USP.

Appreciation is a technique used by
military planners, so we will take a military
example:
Fact: It rained heavily last night

So What?
The ground will be wet
So What?
It will turn into mud quickly
So What?

If many troops and vehicles pass over the
same ground,
movement will be progressively slower
and more difficult as the ground gets
muddier and more difficult.

So What?
Where possible, stick to paved roads.
Otherwise expect movement to be much
slower than normal.

While it would be possible to reach this
conclusion without the use of a formal
technique,

Appreciation provides a framework
within which you can extract
information quickly, effectively and
reliably.

Lakshmi is a software development manager for a
software house.

She and her team handle short software
enhancements for many clients.

Complaints regarding product & service quality.

Demand has fallen.

She plans to use Value Chain Analysis to deliver
excellent service to their clients.


Value Chain Analysis helps you identify the
ways in which you create value for your
customers,

And then helps you think through how you
can maximize this value:

Whether through superb products, great
services, or jobs well done.


1.Activity Analysis:

Identify the activities to undertake to
deliver your product or service.
Include marketing of your products or
services; sales and order-taking;
operational processes; delivery; support.


2.Value Analysis:
For each activity, you think through what
you would do to add the greatest value for
your customer.
E.g. A telephone order-taking process, your
customer will value a quick answer to his or
her call.

3.Evaluation and Planning:
Thirdly you evaluate whether it is worth
making changes, and then plan for action.
During the Activity Analysis :
She identifies the following Primary Activities
that create value for clients:
Order taking
Enhancement specification
Scheduling
Software development
Programmer testing
Secondary testing
Delivery

Lakshmi also identifies the following
Support Activities as being important:

Recruitment: Choosing people who
will work well with the team.

Training: Helping new team members
to become effective.


Giving a quick answer to incoming
phone calls;
(order taking)

Having a good knowledge of the
customers business, situation and
system, so that they do not waste the
customers time with unnecessary
explanation;
(Specification)

Asking all the right questions, and
getting a full and accurate
understanding of the customers
needs;
(scheduling)

Explaining the development process
to the customer and managing his or
her expectations as to the likely
timetable for delivery.
(Delivery)