How to Create Value Through Problem Solving

As part of my first software engineering job, which was at a manufacturing firm, my manager granted me freedom to choose what I wanted to work on. Little I knew that that meant independently identifying business needs and then crafting solutions. As a novice in the software engineering realm, I lacked the guidance and mentorship typically offered to newcomers. Instead, I was thrust into a role where I was expected to create my own work. In general, those skills are characteristic of mid to senior level engineers. I spent the following months observing mechanical engineers and technicians. I meticulously observed their routines, pinpointed their pain points, and identified the repetitive tasks that were consuming their time. Six months into the role and I prototyped a computer vision solution that automated visual inspection of freshly assembled medical devices. I wrote it fully in C++ using the OpenCV library, with unit tests and proper documentation. My prototype quickly garnered attention and piqued interest, evolving into a full-scale solution that significantly reduced the manual labor required, saving us tens of hours each week. This experience taught me valuable lessons about embarking on new projects and joining teams: 1️⃣ Observe and Inquire: Start by closely observing and asking questions. Take diligent notes as you go along. 2️⃣ Identify Pain Points: Understand where the team is struggling the most, and recognize the areas in need of improvement. 3️⃣ Propose Well-Considered Solutions: Suggest solutions with well-thought alternatives. Be prepared to present your ideas effectively. 4️⃣ Execute and Deliver: Put your plans into action, and ensure your implementation aligns with the team's needs. Following these steps will allow you to become an organizational asset and propel your growth. This journey not only honed my technical skills but also imparted crucial insights into the dynamics of software engineering and problem-solving in a real-world context.

🔍 Are Your Problem-Solving Habits Holding You Back? 🔍 🎯 As we step into November, a season of planning and setting ambitious goals for the next year, it's the perfect time to ponder on this question. I have been reflecting upon common missteps that hinder our problem analysis and solving - the insight I had was that they apply beyond our professional life: 1️⃣ Missing root-cause analysis: It's easy to take surface-level issues at face value without delving deeper into their origins. Just like when we see a dip in productivity in a team, and we assume they need more training, when in reality, the problem might lie in unclear processes. 2️⃣ Correlation bias: We often confuse what's merely connected with what truly causes a change. For example, just because you received a promotion after networking at an event, it doesn't mean the event caused the promotion. 3️⃣ Lacking an 80-20 focus: When dealing with complex problems, it's easy to get lost in the details. Prioritizing the most impactful actions is vital, just as in life, where focusing on a few major life changes often leads to more significant personal growth. 4️⃣ Confusion between 'Information', 'Insight', 'Implication', and 'Action': Gathering information is not the same as deriving meaningful insight, which, in turn, is different from realizing its implications and taking action. Misunderstanding this process can stall progress and lead to outliers of either ‘analysis / paralysis’ or ‘blind execution’ 💡 So, how do we address these biases and have an effective approach to problem solving? I. Problem Framing: Have a well-laid-out value driver tree that can pinpoint both logically and quantitatively the layers of drivers leading to a situation or problem. Investing deeply in problem definition and framing is often dismissed, but it contributes most foundationally to the eventual success. II. Solutioning: Rigorously think through all possibilities with their pros, cons, risks, and implications. This discipline is critical for every major problem or opportunity, however redundant it may seem. Just like the problem framing stage, in most cases the solution is almost never simply the first hypothesis we think of, but a nuanced and multinomial equation. III. Strategy to Execution: Though I'm addressing this separately, it adds to point II above. Engage real-world practitioners who can validate the execution plan deeply. Set up execution parameters grounded in reality, relying on feedback from past experiences. This ensures a realistic approach from strategy to execution, but also mitigates for inertia risks. 🤔 Being able to recognize the strengths and skills needed for effective problem solving across all these 3 steps is seldom found in one individual. Consider distributing these steps among individuals from complementary backgrounds and experiences. So, how do you tackle these biases in your journey to self-improvement? #ProblemSolving #IdentifyingBiases #ChangeStartsFromWithin

This week’s leadership tip is on Problem Solving. As leaders, we navigate through challenges daily, and the ability to solve problems efficiently is a cornerstone of successful management. Our methods of problem solving, through Lean Management techniques, are one of the things I believe make CITY Furniture unique.    Here are some ways you can improve problem solving within your organization:    ✅ Embrace a #Kaizen Mindset: Continuous improvement is key. Foster a culture where associates feel encouraged to identify and address issues. It's the accumulation of these small improvements that propels an organization towards excellence.   ✅ Go To The #Gemba: Go to where the work is done to really understand what is going on with your business. Ask questions. See with your own eyes the facts of the situation.   ✅ Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverage analytics and metrics to gain insights into the root causes of issues. This not only accelerates the decision-making process but also ensures that solutions are grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the problem.   ✅ Encourage Cross-Functional Collaboration: Problems often span multiple departments, and the collective intelligence of a diverse team can lead to innovative solutions. Create forums for open communication and collaboration, fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their expertise.   ✅ Prioritize High-Impact Issues: Not all problems are created equal. Identify and prioritize high-impact issues that align with your organizational goals.    ✅ Learn from Failures, Celebrate Successes: Encourage your team to analyze setbacks, understand what went wrong, reflect, and use those insights to iterate and improve for the future. Similarly, celebrate the successes – both big and small – to reinforce a positive problem-solving culture.   ✅ Invest in Training and Development: Equip your team with the necessary skills to excel in problem-solving. Training and workshops focused on critical thinking, root cause analysis, & creative problem-solving techniques can significantly enhance your team's ability to address challenges effectively.   ✅ Lead by Example: As leaders, we set the tone for our organizations. Demonstrate a proactive and positive approach to problem-solving. Show that you value and appreciate the efforts of your team in addressing challenges. Your example will inspire others to embrace a similar mindset.    At CITY, by integrating problem-solving seamlessly into our culture, we help to eliminate waste and optimize our business for our customers, associates and even suppliers. This not only leads to improved productivity but also fosters a dynamic and always continuingly to improve company culture. That’s why I’m such a strong believer in problem solving, and encourage you all to take a look at it more closely.   How does your organization approach problem-solving, and what strategies have proven most effective?    #continuousimprovement #leadershiptips