Evaluating Alternatives When Solving Problems

A wise man once told me, "The problem is not the issue; the issue is how you handle the problem." Each of us face problems in our lives, and each of us will continue to face many problems in our lives, especially in our careers.  It is important that we learn how to solve problems in order to make sure they don't become an issue.  Problem solving involves four steps.

1. Diagnose the Problem
2. Develop a Solution
3. Evaluate Alternatives
4. Implement Solution

I'm going to focus on the third step in this blog, "Evaluating Alternatives."  This step comes in after we've done all of our brainstorming, and we have tons of ideas out on the table.  In this step we need to narrow it down to one solution.  We first organize and refine the ideas we have.  This involves combining ideas that are alike and throwing away ideas that may go against company policy or budgets.  Next, we establish certain criteria such as saving x amount of dollars or bring in y amount of revenue.  We then weigh the criteria to determine which factor is the most important.  Last, we bring in the ideas we have and see how well they fit the criteria we've established.  This last step help us see any bias that may be involved.

I know that as I follow these steps the rest of my life that I will find problems becoming less of an issue and more of a common part of life.  After all, problems help us in life.  If it weren't for problems, we wouldn't have jobs.