5p problem solving

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5-Step Problem-Solving Worksheet

The Happier Therapy editorial team is made up of Masters and PhD counselling psychologists. Each worksheet is created by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter.  The worksheet then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.

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What is the theory behind the 5-step problem-solving worksheet?

Problem-solving skills are key to success, effective work performance, and healthy interpersonal relationships. 5 steps problem-solving is a method to deal with your problems and reach an effective solution. People who are good problem solvers tend to be more successful and have better work experience than those lacking this skill. 

How will this worksheet help you? 

This worksheet can help you in:

• Dealing and managing your problems in a more structured and effective manner. 
• Identifying possible solutions to your problems that you generally avoid. 
• Planning and implementing the most suitable and effective approach that may benefit you in your professional and personal life. 
• Improving your overall problem-solving skills. 

How to use this worksheet?

This worksheet can be used when you are struggling with a problem either in your professional or personal life. Just write down the problem and possible solutions that come to your mind, rule out the negative and positive outcomes of your solutions and choose the one with the most positive and least negative outcomes, implement and review your solution. Use this worksheet again when you face any problem. 

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Fedor, A., Szathmáry, E., & Öllinger, M. (2015). Problem solving stages in the five square problem. Frontiers in Psychology , 6 , 135954

Škėrienė, S., & Jucevičienė, P. (2020). Problem solving through values: A challenge for thinking and capability development. Thinking skills and creativity , 37 , 100694.

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The 5 Steps of Problem Solving

Problem solving is a critical skill for success in business – in fact it’s often what you are hired and paid to do. This article explains the five problem solving steps and provides strategies on how to execute each one.

Defining Problem Solving

Before we talk about the stages of problem solving, it’s important to have a definition of what it is. Let’s look at the two roots of problem solving — problems and solutions.

Problem – a state of desire for reaching a definite goal from a present condition [1] Solution – the management of a problem in a way that successfully meets the goals set for treating it

[1] Problem solving on Wikipedia

One important call-out is the importance of having a goal. As defined above, the solution may not completely solve problem, but it does meet the goals you establish for treating it–you may not be able to completely resolve the problem (end world hunger), but you can have a goal to help it (reduce the number of starving children by 10%).

The Five Steps of Problem Solving

With that understanding of problem solving, let’s talk about the steps that can get you there. The five problem solving steps are shown in the chart below:

However this chart as is a little misleading. Not all problems follow these steps linearly, especially for very challenging problems. Instead, you’ll likely move back and forth between the steps as you continue to work on the problem, as shown below:

Let’s explore of these steps in more detail, understanding what it is and the inputs and outputs of each phase.

1. Define the Problem

aka What are you trying to solve? In addition to getting clear on what the problem is, defining the problem also establishes a goal for what you want to achieve.

Input:  something is wrong or something could be improved. Output: a clear definition of the opportunity and a goal for fixing it.

2. Brainstorm Ideas

aka What are some ways to solve the problem? The goal is to create a list of possible solutions to choose from. The harder the problem, the more solutions you may need.

Input: a goal; research of the problem and possible solutions; imagination. Output: pick-list of possible solutions that would achieve the stated goal.

3. Decide on a Solution

aka What are you going to do? The ideal solution is effective (it will meet the goal), efficient (is affordable), and has the fewest side effects (limited consequences from implementation).

Input:  pick-list of possible solutions; decision-making criteria. Output: decision of what solution you will implement.

4. Implement the Solution

aka What are you doing? The implementation of a solution requires planning and execution. It’s often iterative, where the focus should be on short implementation cycles with testing and feedback, not trying to get it “perfect” the first time.

Input:  decision; planning; hard work. Output:  resolution to the problem.

5. Review the Results

aka What did you do? To know you successfully solved the problem, it’s important to review what worked, what didn’t and what impact the solution had. It also helps you improve long-term problem solving skills and keeps you from re-inventing the wheel.

Input:  resolutions; results of the implementation. Output: insights; case-studies; bullets on your resume.

Improving Problem Solving Skills

Once you understand the five steps of problem solving, you can build your skill level in each one. Often we’re naturally good at a couple of the phases and not as naturally good at others. Some people are great at generating ideas but struggle implementing them. Other people have great execution skills but can’t make decisions on which solutions to use. Knowing the different problem solving steps allows you to work on your weak areas, or team-up with someone who’s strengths complement yours.

Want to improve your problem solving skills? Want to perfect the art of problem solving?  Check out our training programs or try these 20 problem solving activities to improve creativity .

THIS FREE 129 SECOND QUIZ WILL SHOW YOU

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22 thoughts on “The 5 Steps of Problem Solving”

very helpful and informative training

Thank you for the information

YOU ARE AFOOL

I’m writing my 7th edition of Effective Security Management. I would like to use your circular graphic illustration in a new chapter on problem solving. You’re welcome to phone me at — with attribution.

Sure thing, shoot us an email at [email protected] .

i love your presentation. It’s very clear. I think I would use it in teaching my class problem solving procedures. Thank you

It is well defined steps, thank you.

these step can you email them to me so I can print them out these steps are very helpful

I like the content of this article, it is really helpful. I would like to know much on how PAID process (i.e. Problem statement, Analyze the problem, Identify likely causes, and Define the actual causes) works in Problem Solving.

very useful information on problem solving process.Thank you for the update.

Pingback: Let’s Look at Work Is Working with the Environment | #EnviroSociety

It makes sense that a business would want to have an effective problem solving strategy. Things could get bad if they can’t find solutions! I think one of the most important things about problem solving is communication.

Well in our school teacher teach us –

1) problem ldentification 2) structuring the problem 3) looking for possible solutions 4) lmplementation 5) monitoring or seeking feedback 6) decision making

Pleace write about it …

I teach Professional communication (Speech) and I find the 5 steps to problem solving as described here the best method. Your teacher actually uses 4 steps. The Feedback and decision making are follow up to the actual implementation and solving of the problem.

i know the steps of doing some guideline for problem solving

steps are very useful to solve my problem

The steps given are very effective. Thank you for the wonderful presentation of the cycle/steps/procedure and their connections.

I like the steps for problem solving

It is very useful for solving difficult problem i would reccomend it to a friend

this is very interesting because once u have learned you will always differentiate the right from the wrong.

I like the contents of the problem solving steps. informative.

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Home / Life Skills / The Five P’s of Problem Solving

The Five P’s of Problem Solving

For curriculum developers: Here is the text of this Activity, to copy into your lessons as needed.

The 5 P’s in Problem Solving *problem: a source of perplexity, distress, or vexation *solve: to find a solution, explanation, or answer for

How do other people solve problems?

How do you currently solve problems?

What would you hope to do differently with a problem solving method?

What can happen if you DON’T have an effective problem solving method? • You ignore problems because you don’t know how to make a decision. • You create more problems trying to solve the first one. • You make decisions based on only PART of the information. • You may not remember from time to time why you made previous decisions or how you came to an answer. • Your problem can get worse when you keep trying the same thing that doesn’t work. • You create more stress for yourself.

Can you relate to any of this? Name one problem in your life that resulted in one of the ways listed above.

What’s the point of going to all this trouble?

Who doesn’t have problems? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a way to deal with problems in life when they come up? Well, keep reading and you just might find some of this stuff helpful. You need problem solving skills for work, yes… and you also need them for LIFE. Your LIFE. So this program is not just about how to be better at something for your boss and your employer, this program is about how to be better at something for your SELF. And isn’t that what each person is after anyway?

I mean what does it matter if you can solve a problem for someone at work… if you can’t solve one for yourself? After all… to do something well, you do it from the core of who you are. It’s usually because you take pride in yourself and the contribution you make. It’s pretty hard to fake it. If you do it for any other reason, it probably won’t turn out so great anyway. The 5 P’s will help you learn to solve problems from the inside out!

Why is it important to have an effective system for solving the simplest to the toughest problems in your life?

• Consistency: When you use the 5 P’s to approach each problem, you get consistency in your life… You can actually start to guess how things might turn out! • Decrease stress: When you know HOW to approach a problem with the 5 P’s, the problem won’t freak you out so much! • Efficiency: If you practice approaching problems with the 5 P’s each time, you get faster and faster at making things better! • Vision: When you tackle problems using the 5 P’s, you might see that the problem in your face is just a branch of a bigger problem the size of a tree! And if you only focus on solving clipping the branches of the problem tree, it doesn’t go away. It just keeps growing! Yikes! • Forward movement: When you use the 5 P’s, you can move forward instead of staying stuck in the same confusing place! • Better Communication: When you use the 5 P’s, you’ll be able to talk more clearly about what the problem actually is. • Create change: When you use the 5 P’s, you’ll begin to make changes in the world around you! • Teach others how: When you practice the 5 P’s and they work again and again, other people will want to know your secret! • Explanation: When someone asked you how you came to solve the problem, you can easily explain using the 5 P’s! • Learn about others: When you use the 5 P’s, you’ll be able to see what role people have in keeping the problem a problem! • Learn about your SELF: When you use the 5 P’s you’ll be able to see what role you really having keeping the problem a problem AND how you can help solve it!!

Why do YOU need a problem solving method?

Pick 4 of the reasons from the previous page that give you a clue why learning the 5 P’s might be important for YOU. List them in column 1. For each one, answer the question in column 2.

I want to learn the 5 P’s because… This is why… examples

A lot of time I stay stuck in a problem b/c I can’t see through all the junk to find a way out! Forward movement

Vision I seem to have a lot of problems that relate, so maybe there is a bigger problem I need to solve? 1 2 3 4

Okay, so you’ve established that it might not be so awful to have a way to deal with all the problems and the drama that come up in everyday life. So now it’s time to talk about this 5 P’s stuff. What is it anyway?

The first step in effective Problem Solving is defining the Problem… drilling it down to its purest form… leaving no doubt what the problem REALLY is. A fuzzy problem is a problem that won’t get solved quickly.

To make the problem less fuzzy and clearer, ask these questions… • What is the problem? • What is the REAL problem? • Is that really the problem? • Are you sure?

Go back through this list of questions as many times as necessary until you have clearly and briefly defined the problem… until you can answer YES! to the last question…

“Are you sure?”

The 5 P’s of Problem Solving will help you form a plan.

Pattern, Purpose, Perception, Partnership, Prosperity = Plan

NEXT TIME YOU HAVE A PROBLEM… ‘TAKE FIVE’ TO FIND A SOLUTION.

Pattern and Purpose

* p a t • t e r n : frequent or widespread incidence

1. Pattern • When does the problem occur? • When does it not occur? • What happens right before the problem comes up?

Begin to notice exactly when the problem comes up and when it doesn’t. What happens right before the problem happens that is DIFFERENT from other times when it doesn’t happen? These are great clues!

* p u r • p o s e : something set up as an object or end to be attained

2. Purpose • What does the problem accomplish? • What are the benefits of the problem? • What would be different if the problem didn’t exist?

Often times a problem keeps on being a problem because it is actually serving a purpose or accomplishing something. That sounds weird, but why else would it keep happening? You will find clues to the problem when you look at the problem a different way… What are actually some of the benefits of the problem and for who? Another way to look at the problem from a different angle is to see how things would be different if the problem didn’t exist.

Perception and Partnership…

* p e r • c e p • t i o n : a mental image

3. Perception • Who sees it as a problem? • Who else? • Who doesn’t see it as a problem? • Who else?

Who actually sees it as a problem? Remember that everyone has a unique perspective in life. When you notice who actually sees it as a problem and who doesn’t, you will get clues about a useful plan for solving the problem!

* p a r t • n e r • s h i p : one associated with another especially in an action

4. Partnership • Who is NOT involved that needs to be? • Who is involved that does not need to be?

Often times there are too many opinions and advice floating around the problem. Are the right people involved? The right people are the people who can actually affect the problem in a positive way – not just gossip and complain about it!

* p r o s • p e r • i • t y : the condition of being successful or thriving

5. Prosperity (prosperity = happiness/success) • How does it keep you from being happy? • How does it keep others from being happy? • How does it keep your workplace from working?

When you can see how the problem keeps you and others from being happy and prosperous, it’s a great clue for change! Because you can then look at the other side of the coin…

If keeps me (or others) from being happy, then would make me happy! If keeps my workplace form working, then would make it work!

The answers to these 5 topics hold the solutions to the problem or the PLAN for the problem.

Can you see HOW the answers to your questions hold clues to solving the problem?

Can you look at these answers and come up with a plan for a problem of your own? (For examples of how to do the following exercises, see pages 15-18)

*Based on the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Let’s Solve a Problem!

Defining the Problem… Pick a current problem in your PERSONAL life. The problem might be at school, at home, or within…

• What is the problem?

• What is the REAL problem?

• Is that really the problem?

• Are you sure?

Go back through this list of questions as many times as necessary until you have clearly and concisely defined the problem… until you can answer YES! to the last question, “Are you sure?”

Once you are sure… write the problem in one clear sentence below.

Now go to the next page and make a plan.

Clues to the problem…

The personal problem for me is…

Pattern Purpose Perception Partnership Prosperity When does the problem occur? When does it not occur? What does the problem accomplish? What are the benefits of the problem? Who sees it as a problem? Who doesn’t see it as a problem? Who is NOT involved that needs to be? Who IS involved that doesn’t need to be? How does it affect your happiness and/or the happiness of others?

Plan 1 Plan 2 Plan 3

Solving the problem…

Are one or more of these plans useful for you?

If YES, which plan or plans are useful? What makes it useful?

If NO, which plan (or plans) are not useful? What makes it NOT useful?

Then can you come up with at least one plan that is useful for you? Circle one..

If you cannot find any useful plans, are you actually benefiting from the problem in some way and that’s why you do not wish to solve it right now? Be honest with yourself… It’s okay if you are not ready… just remember the power to choose lies within you when you are ready to move forward.

Let’s Solve Another Problem! Defining the Problem…

Pick a current problem at WORK or imagine a problem that might come up in the job you hope to get soon.

Once you are sure, write the problem in one clear sentence below.

The problem at work for me is…

What have you learned about making a Plan for a Problem?

What have you learned about the Power of Problem Solving today?

How does your power to problem solve affect your work?

How does your power to problem solve affect your family?

How does your power to problem solve affect your future?

What will you do differently now?

Top 6 Questions to begin Problem Solving.

1. Have you clearly, briefly defined the problem? 2. When does the problem happen and NOT happen? 3. What purpose does the problem serve? (What does it accomplish?) 4. Who sees it as a problem and who DOESN’T? 5. Who should be involved and who should NOT? 6. How is it affecting happiness/success?

The 5 P’s in Problem Solving

EXAMPLES FOR YOUR REFERENCE (PGS 15-18)

Let’s Solve a personal Problem! Defining the Problem… What is the problem? My parents keep trying to tell me who my friends should be, and they won’t let me hang out with the people I like.

What is the REAL problem? I should be able to choose my own friends but my parents don’t get it.

Is that really the problem? YES!

Are you sure? Well, I guess part of the problem is I’ve gotten in some trouble with my friends… Like last week a cop had to drive me home b/c the guy I was riding with got picked up for drinking… But I still don’t think my parents should be allowed to tell me who my friends can and cannot be! It’s a free country! (Go Back and keep trying until the problem is clear and true…)

What is the problem? I got into some trouble with this new guy I’ve been hanging out with.

What is the REAL problem? It’s sort of affecting my grades and I’ve been absent from work a lot lately b/c I call in sick to hang out.

Are you sure? Yea. I’ve been spending time with him and things aren’t going so well right now. I stay in trouble at home, at work, and at school…

Once you are sure, write the problem in one clear sentence below. I’ve been having a hard time every since he moved here and we started hanging out.

Clues to the Problem… The personal problem for me is…

I’ve been having a hard time and getting in a lot of trouble lately. P a t t e r n P u r p o s e P e r c e p t i o n P a r t n e r s h i p P r o s p e r i t y When does the problem occur? When does it not occur? What does the problem accomplish? What are the benefits of the problem? Who sees it as a problem? Who doesn’t see it as a problem? Who is NOT involved that needs to be? Who IS involved that doesn’t need to be? How does it affect your happiness and/or the happiness of others? When I hang out with my new friend who just moved here. Duh. When I’m not with him. When he gets in trouble, he can blame it on me or have someone to get in trouble with him. Maybe it makes him feel better? 1. When I go along with what he’s doing, it gives him an excuse to keep doing it. Sometimes I even egg him on… 2. Also, when I am grounded I can blame my parents that I can’t hang out. My parents, my teachers, my principal, my school counselor

I guess …me. My friend doesn’t think it’s a big deal. I won’t really let my parents get involved until they have to get me out of a bad situation. I won’t talk to them about it. I guess it might help them understand? My brother… He keeps ratting me out! I have fun when I hang out with this guy, b/c he is really funny and doesn’t care what people think. I like that. But I am unhappy most of the time b/c I stay grounded for my grades and all the other junk that happens! Plan 1 Plan 2 Plan 3 Stop hanging out with him totally… but that sucks because he is new and doesn’t have any friends besides me. Stop acting like he is so cool when he does things that get us in trouble. Just let him know it’s not that cool… Keep doing stuff with him and just see how bad it gets!

Let’s Solve a Problem at work!

Defining the Problem

What is the problem? I keep getting in trouble at work for messing up customer orders in the warehouse. The customer gets the wrong product, then calls and complains.

What is the REAL problem? I’m about to get fired if I don’t fix it.

Are you sure? Yes. It’s a problem! But I double-check the information every time and no one believes me!

Once you are sure, write the problem in one clear sentence below. The customers are getting the wrong product and I am getting blamed for it.

Clue to the problem… The work problem for me is…

The customers are getting the wrong product and I am getting blamed for it. Pattern Purpose Perception Partnership Prosperity When does the problem occur? When does it not occur? What does the problem accomplish? What are the benefits of the problem? Who sees it as a problem? Who doesn’t see it as a problem? Who is NOT involved that needs to be? Who IS involved that doesn’t need to be? How does it affect your happiness? The company’s success? When I ship to customers in the certain states. (Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas) When I ship to any other customer in states other than those three things seem to work just fine. It makes the customer mad! 1. The freight company benefits b/c the customer ships the order back at my company’s expense.

2. I get a chance to do some research and show my boss that I am a good employee. I do!. My boss does. The customer does. Nobody I can think of. Our computer guy might need to look at the customer files to see why these three states are messed up when it comes to products.

The customer service agent who takes the order. All the other warehouse guys have something to say about it.

One of my friends keeps telling me to just quit if they won’t believe me. It affects me personally b/c I need this and the wrong shipments make me look bad. It affects the customer b/c they are not getting what they ordered.

It affects the company b/c maybe these customers will get tired of it and buy their product somewhere else! Plan 1 Plan 2 Plan 3 Tell my boss what I’ve noticed about the wrong shipments to three specific states and see if that might help us figure out what’s going on. Go talk directly to the customer service agent and see if she can look in her computer screen to see what the error is for customers in those states… Get defensive and complain b/c it’s not really my fault but no one listens to me b/c I’m a teenager!

By Bob Berry September 19, 2013

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5 Principles for Problem Solving – HSO

How You Will Benefit

Much of what people do is solve problems and make decisions are often “under the gun”! Associates are stressed and very short pf time. Consequently, when they encounter a new problem or decision they must make, they react with a decision that seemed to work before. It is easy with this approach to get stuck in a circle of solving the same problem over and over again. Because of the difficulty associated with identifying problems before they occur, most companies do not attempt to identify problems until after they experience their effects. Companies attempt to discover the problems at this point to avoid recurrence. After-the-fact problem identification usually focuses on the failure mechanism rather than the true root cause(s). Therefore, it is often useful to get used to a structured approach to problem-solving and decision-making such as 5P. Not all problems will be solved by following this rational approach, however, the clear majority will be addressed.

Benefits of Utilizing the 5 Principles

A workplace with a Problem-Solving environment will:

– Assist in defining complex problems

– Enable prioritization of problems

– Allow team members to understand their role(s) in problem-solving

– Increase efficiency and productivity

– Enhance team building and increased feelings of competency

Course Objectives

At the completion of this module, participants will increase their ability to:

– Identify the Main Steps of a Problem

-Solving Process- Institute containment strategies while problem solving efforts are underway

– Facilitate or Participate in Team Problem Solving Sessions

– Apply tools to identify and confirm root cause(s) of problems- Implement and evaluate the effectiveness of countermeasures taken to address root cause(s)

– Improve your ability to Contribute to Your Company’s Problem-Solving System

– To capture and Organize Information Needed to Complete a 5P Worksheet

– Have an overview of the key points for a Problem-Solving System

Key Topics Covered

This course explores the following subjects in depth:

– 5 Principles for problem-solving

– Problem-solving defined

– 14 discovery questions, 5W2H notes

– How to create a problem statement

– 3A method- Cause “Lifecycle”

– Data collection and analysis

– Containment actions required

– Investigating past problem history

– Guidelines for brainstorming

– Cause and effect diagrams

– Questioning to the void

– Applying and documenting countermeasures

– Understanding FMEA’s and RPN’s as affected by countermeasures

What Attendees Are Saying:

“I’m new to the job, this class helped me to build a system for looking at problems.”

“The book has a lot of good reference points to refer back to when doing exercises.”

“I work in maintenance and deal with equipment failures on a daily basis. This will help considerably at my job.”

**PLEASE NOTE**

All students attending the session will need to be paid for and registered.

All necessary class materials will be provided as an onsite/in-person attendee.

Photo ID is required upon check-in.  Cafeteria service is not available at HSO!  Please arrange to bring your own lunch.

Cancellations/refunds/transfers must be completed no later than 10 business days from the class date. Substitutions of students from the same company may occur up to the morning of the class.

Due to exchange rate complications, all pricing is in USD regardless of where the class occurs. Eventbrite fees include .99 per transaction plus a small credit card processing charge.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5-principles-for-problem-solving-hso-tickets-601590131277

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