7 Incredible Techniques to Solve the Root of
Any Problems Easily
Do you find yourself making the same
mistakes over and over? Have some of your poor choices morphed into bad habits?
All of us can probably agree that there are things we’d like to change about
our actions or circumstances.
Maybe you keep getting drawn into bad relationships, or you
can’t stop binge-eating cupcakes, or you are never on time. Perhaps your car
breaks down every week, or you always get into arguments with your in-laws.
Regardless of what problem you face, there are many ways to reach a solution.
Our problems tend to stick around when we treat the symptoms
rather than eliminate their causes. Our knee-jerk response to whatever troubles
us may provide temporary relief, but the problem will continue to manifest
itself unless we can identify the root.
Get to the heart of your problem, always.
Reactivity is the enemy of a calm and happy existence. Instead
of developing sustainable strategies to address your problems, reactivity
forces you to spend your days putting out fires. To solve problems, you will
need to be proactive.
Performing causal analysis or root cause analysis can help you
identify the root of your problems so that you can eliminate the issue for
good. Causal analysis can help you anticipate future problems, eliminate
current issues, and develop an action-plan to resolve trouble.
When you perform root cause analysis, you can differentiate
between correlation and causation. We most often think of using this type of
analysis to understand current or past problems, but hypothetical causal
analysis enables you to predict outcomes before you commit to an action.
Seven tried-and-true techniques for solving any problem
Employing one of these causal analysis techniques can help you
find a sustainable solution.
1. 5 Whys Analysis
One of the simplest causal analysis methods involves asking
yourself “why” five times. You start by identifying the problem. “My house
is always disorganized.” Then, you ask yourself why that is the case. You
create a chain of inquiry that offers insight about the core of the problem.
2. Pareto Analysis
This is sometimes referred to as the “80/20 Rule.” The idea here
is that 20% of your actions cause 80% of the results. Usually, when you are
having a problem, there are a few major contributors, referred to as the “vital
few.” Then there are the “trivial many,” smaller problems which can deepen the
effects of a poor habit or problematic mindset.
Many people go after one of the “trivial many” instead of
focusing on the “vital few” causes that are creating the most trouble.
The method involves plot which can be accessed from the article
reference given at the end.
The method appears complicated, there are many software
templates available to you to facilitate this type of visualization.
3. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
This multi-step causal analysis can illustrate the root of your
problem, but it is also an effective way to anticipate difficulties when you
are trying something new.
Begin by ascertaining the problem (real or anticipated).
1. Then, name all
the things that are contributing to the failure.
2. Ask yourself
how often the failure is occurring.
3. List the
actions you have taken to ensure that the failure does not recur.
4. Analyze whether
those solutions worked for you.
You can revisit this line of inquiry at any time, but it is
especially valuable after you restructure a procedure or policy.
4. Fault Tree Analysis
This visual model for ascertaining the root of problems is best
employed where matters of safety are concerned. While Boolean algebra can make
this model more robust, at its most basic level, you begin this analysis by
naming the problem. Below the problem, you create boxes which contain factors
contributing to the undesired outcome. Unlike other models, which encourage you
to think about broad potential contributors, fault tree analysis requires that
you look at what is known and deduce meaning from that.
5. Current Reality Tree (CRT)
When you are dealing with a number of problems at the same time,
the CRT can be an effective way to understand what the problems are and what
connections exist between them.
For example, you may have noticed that your boss is mad at you
all the time, you are late on a frequent basis, and you are often too fatigued
to work.
1. Place each of
these undesirable effects, your angry boss, tardiness, and fatigue, into their
own box at the bottom of your tree.
2. Brainstorm the
possible causes for each of these problems independently, and place each cause
in its own box as a “branch” sprouting from the tree.
3. Take time to
analyze each of the problems that you listed in connection to one another as
“If…then” statements. “If my boss is angry with me, then is it related to my
frequent tardiness.”
4. Connect ideas
in your CRT with arrows.
Eventually you will notice common threads between the
undesirable effects.
6. RPR (Rapid Problem Resolution) Diagnosis
This type of causal analysis involves three main steps.
1. In the
discovery phase, you collect information to ascertain problems.
2. During the
investigation phase, you create a plan based off the data that you have
collected.
3. Finally, you
set your plan in motion.
If you choose to use this type of causal analysis, you should
periodically check in to ensure that you properly identified the problem and
your solution is working as intended.
7. Cause-and-Effect Diagram or “Fishbone” Diagram
This means of visualizing a problem is useful whether you are
working on your own or with a team.
As with other models, you start by identifying your problem. One
horizontal line, cuts through the center of your diagram like the spine of a
fish, hence the name. Several diagonal lines radiate from the spine.
At the top of each of these lines, write the type of cause that
contributes to the problem. For example, if your problem is that you are frequently
unhappy, categories of causes that contribute to your problem could be family,
work, and health. Ask yourself why each of these categories feeds into your
problem. These are the causes for your symptoms. A symptom of your unhappiness
rooted in your family might be that you feel disconnected from your partner.
Brainstorm as many causes in the categories as you can.
After you finish your diagram, you will have a better sense of
where your problem originates. You may notice that some categories have more
causes that contribute to the undesired symptom than others. You can also think
about how these categories are connected. Rather than trying to chop the head
off the hydra, you can develop of systematic plan that deals with the issue at
its core.
For Cause and effect diagram see
original article.
Which method should you try?
There are a plethora of causal analysis options with varying
levels of complexity. If you have lots of data about your problem, Pareto
analysis and fault-tree analysis, are great options. All the models are fairly
flexible to accommodate a wide range of problems, though some were developed
specifically for business or IT. The common thread in all of these methods is
that they require self-reflection and a chain of inquiry.
Next time you feel like you are spending more time putting out
fires than living your life, give one or more of these causal analyses a try.
You’d be amazed at how effective your problem-solving will be when you can get
to the heart of the issue.
Angelina Phebus
http://www.lifehack.org/602709/causal-analysis-effective-techniques-to-problem-solving?ref=mail&mtype=newsletter_tier_1&mid=20170615&uid=687414&hash=707e797f7e757e6d794c856d747b7b3a6f7b79&action=click
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