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There are only a handful of generic components associated with solving problems: identify, analyze, develop, & implement along with some optional feedback loop, e.g., test & monitor.

Figure 1: 6 Step Problem Resolution Process Flow

Each of these components is merely a coherent set of tasks.  Let’s analyze these components in more detail:

Identify – the main objective of this process is data collection.   Whatever the problem, it can only exist within a certain context, the root context.  Identifying this context with reasonable accuracy is important, it also defines the problem scope which in turn scopes the identification process and tasks.

Figure 2: Problem Identification Process

If aspects of a problem falls outside an identified root context, then the context must be expanded.  If the scope of the context is too broad, it neutralizes the benefits of the scope.  It’s also important to collect just the data and not associate any meaning to it so as to not skew the next process, the analysis.   ManagementHelp has published a comprehensive article on the subject of problem identification.

Analyze – the main objective of this process is to determine the why and generate resolution options including none, e.g., the option to not resolve.  Consider including resolution options that would resolve not just the problem but the class of problems, which is generally likely to be more expensive in the near term

Figure 3: Problem Analysis Process

but less expensive overall.  Specific tasks will depend on the root context, figure 3 samples a few common ones along with some permanent tasks (darker background).  It’s important that this process is accomplished with no knowledge of the developmental process, to avoid biasing the analysis.

Develop – the objective of this process is to build all the necessary parts of the solution selected in analysis, so as to enable the solution to be implemented.  Specific analysis aspects may need to be revisited and/or scope adjusted, during the build process

Figure 4: Solution Development Process

Note that a monitoring mechanism should also be built at this stage, so that the results of the solution may be meaningfully tracked.

Implement – the objective of this process is to deploy the built solution and the monitoring mechanism.

Figure 5: solution implementation process

Also important at this stage is to schedule periodic review and analysis of reports generated from monitor.