In previous posts we have covered the basics of problem solving, how you can identify and solve problems AND how you can tell interviewers about them. So what happens when a problem leaves you stumped?
Problems wouldn’t be problems if they were easy to solve, sometimes you can use the tools we’ve talked you through to identify and structure problems (using tools like the IDEAL model) and, after a few attempts you might have found your solution. Not every problem will be as easy to solve and try as you might they will leave you stuck!
We’ve got some tips below to help you out:
Talk it through
Talking the problem through with someone can help, sometimes saying the problem aloud can help trigger something you didn’t see. Talk to experts, colleagues and friends first, no one is saying you can’t ask your teacher or boss but show that you have used your initiative and sought help from others too.
Top tip: ask yourself has someone you know had this problem or a similar problem before and seek their advice.
Reverse engineer
Start with what you want the outcome to be and work backwards. Sometimes we get caught up in the issues at the beginning of a project but when we work back from the desired outcome we see things differently and can think creatively about how we get there. This tip is often used in technology and programming but it can work for other problems too.
Go back to the start
Perhaps the problem has arisen because you started from the wrong place, is something wrong in the way you set it up, is what you are hoping for possible or do you need to change what you set out to do in the first place.
Take a break
Watch something silly on YouTube, go out for a walk or call a friend for a chat. Clear your mind and step away from the problem for half an hour and you will be surprised how a break can spark a new way of thinking.
Tips for developing your problem solving skills:
Team work – Volunteer to support a charity or to help support an event at work or school. Team work is the perfect place to trial problem solving skills
Play games – such as online quizzes, cryptic crosswords or suduko
Computer games – Most computer games involve some form of thinking through different courses of action and solving problems.
Fixing things – DIY, computers, your laptop/phone or your bike or car. Taking an interest in how things work and then how you fix them.
Coding & Programming – can really test your problem solving skills and let you work through problems. there are loads of free apps and resources to try your hand at coding and programming.
Your challenge:
- New year’s resolutions might seem like a long way off but we want you to commit to developing your problem solving skills – pick two of the above activities and plan how you can include them in your week to improve your problem solving skills. Yes you can officially say you are being tasked to play games as part of becoming a young professional!!
