Intro to Problem Solving Process

Center Home > Training >

Survival Skills for Coastal Resource Managers

Problem-Solving Process

Meeting Management

Managing Conflict

Survival Skills for Coastal Resource Managers

Problem-Solving Process

Introduction


This section refers to a basic and very versatile model of how to develop ways to address an issue or problem. It stresses the following elements:

			During this phase it is important to identify the problem—to develop as full an understanding of the problem to be addressed as possible, before attempting to develop solutions. The participants are getting to know each other, and learning about each other’s needs, interests, and perspectives. They are understanding information about the context (political, legal, social, economic, etc.) in which the collaborative effort takes place.




			During this phase, it is important to develop a range of possible solutions, before attempting to decide which are best. Participants are also gathering information about the issues, and trying to arrive at common working understanding of the problem.




			After developing a full understanding of the problem and a range of possible solutions, participants evaluate the possible solutions and choose the best. Using their new knowledge of the issues and definition of the problem, the participants also begin to expand the range of alternative solutions to be evaluated.