New Approaches to Problems

by Chris Fillebrown

I received these questions through email . . .

What triggers one to decide that a new approach to solving a problem is valid?

Knowing whether to employ a new strategy as opposed to a more familiar strategy is a function of experience. Starting a new project should trigger an evaluation of all available solution-strategies for solving a particular problem. The goal is to find the most suitable strategy for solving the problem at hand before committing significant resources.

The purpose for writing this blog is to focus the attention of thought leaders on the planning phase of problem-solving. What solution-strategies are available? What is the best approach to developing a strategy? As a strategy develops, what is the correct timing for involving experts?

Is it experts leading companies in the same business that is interested in using Frame of Reference?

According to the Frame of Reference model, subject-matter experts are not introduced during the process of formulating a solution-strategy. Under critical analysis, the root cause of a problem frequently turns out not to be the same problem initially perceived. But what happens if solution providers are brought into the process too early? What if their solution does not apply to the root cause of the real problem? The solution provider typically doesn’t conclude that they are not the right solution provider for the job. They complete the deployment of their system, get paid, and leave. Even if they are removed from the process later, precious time and money will have been lost. The real underlying problem remains unsolved, budgets for solving the problem are gone, and bad things happen to careers.

When all you have is a hammer, the whole world looks like a nail.

What is the effect of persuasion by the seller?

Once an expert is brought into planning a solution-strategy, the elements of the problem are analyzed in terms of their expertise. After all, an expert is hired because of their expertise, and to be relied on. Experts have dedicated their lives to their area of expertise. Experts have a vested interest in their expertise. They pay for their house and food based on selling their expertise. They are strongly motivated to be persuasive. An expert in SAP will analyze your problem so that SAP is the solution. According to the Frame of Reference model, an expert should not be brought into a solution scenario until it is clear that the right problem is being solved, and that the expert’s area of expertise is the best way to solve it.

What triggers one’s Frame of Reference to change, to believe in the new approach?

Belief in a new approach can only come through experience. Initially, you are attracted to the experience of others with a particular methodology. Through their experience, you gather more information about their approach. You try their approach and develop personal experience with the approach. Ultimately, belief in a new approach to solving problems comes through direct success solving problem using the approach.

Frame of Reference is committed to increasing awareness in different approaches to solving problems. Changing one’s perspective on solution-strategies comes about through education and experience. This blog’s purpose is to make problem-solvers aware of tried and true methodologies for solving problems. The Frame of Reference methodology is one of them, but there are others. They will be explored in future articles published here. Frame of Reference promotes problem-solving as a free standing discipline. Frame of Reference will facilitate connecting thought leaders with solution-strategy providers.

As a final note, learning a new approach does not exclude all other approaches. Learning a new approach adds another tool in the toolbox. Choice of the right tool depends on the nature of the problem.