examples of analysis and problem solving

26 Expert-Backed Problem Solving Examples – Interview Answers

Published: February 13, 2023

Interview Questions and Answers

Actionable advice from real experts:

Biron Clark

Former Recruiter

Contributor

Dr. Kyle Elliott

Career Coach

Hayley Jukes

Editor-in-Chief

Biron Clark , Former Recruiter

Kyle Elliott , Career Coach

Hayley Jukes , Editor

As a recruiter , I know employers like to hire people who can solve problems and work well under pressure.

 A job rarely goes 100% according to plan, so hiring managers are more likely to hire you if you seem like you can handle unexpected challenges while staying calm and logical.

But how do they measure this?

Hiring managers will ask you interview questions about your problem-solving skills, and they might also look for examples of problem-solving on your resume and cover letter. 

In this article, I’m going to share a list of problem-solving examples and sample interview answers to questions like, “Give an example of a time you used logic to solve a problem?” and “Describe a time when you had to solve a problem without managerial input. How did you handle it, and what was the result?”

• Problem-solving involves identifying, prioritizing, analyzing, and solving problems using a variety of skills like critical thinking, creativity, decision making, and communication.
• Describe the Situation, Task, Action, and Result ( STAR method ) when discussing your problem-solving experiences.
• Tailor your interview answer with the specific skills and qualifications outlined in the job description.
• Provide numerical data or metrics to demonstrate the tangible impact of your problem-solving efforts.

What are Problem Solving Skills? 

Problem-solving is the ability to identify a problem, prioritize based on gravity and urgency, analyze the root cause, gather relevant information, develop and evaluate viable solutions, decide on the most effective and logical solution, and plan and execute implementation. 

Problem-solving encompasses other skills that can be showcased in an interview response and your resume. Problem-solving skills examples include:

• Critical thinking
• Analytical skills
• Decision making
• Research skills
• Technical skills
• Communication skills
• Adaptability and flexibility

Why is Problem Solving Important in the Workplace?

Problem-solving is essential in the workplace because it directly impacts productivity and efficiency. Whenever you encounter a problem, tackling it head-on prevents minor issues from escalating into bigger ones that could disrupt the entire workflow. 

Beyond maintaining smooth operations, your ability to solve problems fosters innovation. It encourages you to think creatively, finding better ways to achieve goals, which keeps the business competitive and pushes the boundaries of what you can achieve. 

Effective problem-solving also contributes to a healthier work environment; it reduces stress by providing clear strategies for overcoming obstacles and builds confidence within teams. 

Examples of Problem-Solving in the Workplace

• Correcting a mistake at work, whether it was made by you or someone else
• Overcoming a delay at work through problem solving and communication
• Resolving an issue with a difficult or upset customer
• Overcoming issues related to a limited budget, and still delivering good work through the use of creative problem solving
• Overcoming a scheduling/staffing shortage in the department to still deliver excellent work
• Troubleshooting and resolving technical issues
• Handling and resolving a conflict with a coworker
• Solving any problems related to money, customer billing, accounting and bookkeeping, etc.
• Taking initiative when another team member overlooked or missed something important
• Taking initiative to meet with your superior to discuss a problem before it became potentially worse
• Solving a safety issue at work or reporting the issue to those who could solve it
• Using problem solving abilities to reduce/eliminate a company expense
• Finding a way to make the company more profitable through new service or product offerings, new pricing ideas, promotion and sale ideas, etc.
• Changing how a process, team, or task is organized to make it more efficient
• Using creative thinking to come up with a solution that the company hasn’t used before
• Performing research to collect data and information to find a new solution to a problem
• Boosting a company or team’s performance by improving some aspect of communication among employees
• Finding a new piece of data that can guide a company’s decisions or strategy better in a certain area

Problem-Solving Examples for Recent Grads/Entry-Level Job Seekers

• Coordinating work between team members in a class project
• Reassigning a missing team member’s work to other group members in a class project
• Adjusting your workflow on a project to accommodate a tight deadline
• Speaking to your professor to get help when you were struggling or unsure about a project
• Asking classmates, peers, or professors for help in an area of struggle
• Talking to your academic advisor to brainstorm solutions to a problem you were facing
• Researching solutions to an academic problem online, via Google or other methods
• Using problem solving and creative thinking to obtain an internship or other work opportunity during school after struggling at first

How To Answer “Tell Us About a Problem You Solved”

When you answer interview questions about problem-solving scenarios, or if you decide to demonstrate your problem-solving skills in a cover letter (which is a good idea any time the job description mentions problem-solving as a necessary skill), I recommend using the STAR method.

STAR stands for:

It’s a simple way of walking the listener or reader through the story in a way that will make sense to them. 

Start by briefly describing the general situation and the task at hand. After this, describe the course of action you chose and why. Ideally, show that you evaluated all the information you could given the time you had, and made a decision based on logic and fact. Finally, describe the positive result you achieved.

Note: Our sample answers below are structured following the STAR formula. Be sure to check them out!

EXPERT ADVICE

Dr. Kyle Elliott , MPA, CHES Tech & Interview Career Coach caffeinatedkyle.com

How can I communicate complex problem-solving experiences clearly and succinctly?

Before answering any interview question, it’s important to understand why the interviewer is asking the question in the first place.

When it comes to questions about your complex problem-solving experiences, for example, the interviewer likely wants to know about your leadership acumen, collaboration abilities, and communication skills, not the problem itself.

Therefore, your answer should be focused on highlighting how you excelled in each of these areas, not diving into the weeds of the problem itself, which is a common mistake less-experienced interviewees often make.

Tailoring Your Answer Based on the Skills Mentioned in the Job Description

As a recruiter, one of the top tips I can give you when responding to the prompt “Tell us about a problem you solved,” is to tailor your answer to the specific skills and qualifications outlined in the job description. 

Once you’ve pinpointed the skills and key competencies the employer is seeking, craft your response to highlight experiences where you successfully utilized or developed those particular abilities. 

For instance, if the job requires strong leadership skills, focus on a problem-solving scenario where you took charge and effectively guided a team toward resolution. 

By aligning your answer with the desired skills outlined in the job description, you demonstrate your suitability for the role and show the employer that you understand their needs.

Amanda Augustine expands on this by saying:

“Showcase the specific skills you used to solve the problem. Did it require critical thinking, analytical abilities, or strong collaboration? Highlight the relevant skills the employer is seeking.”  

Interview Answers to “Tell Me About a Time You Solved a Problem”

Now, let’s look at some sample interview answers to, “Give me an example of a time you used logic to solve a problem,” or “Tell me about a time you solved a problem,” since you’re likely to hear different versions of this interview question in all sorts of industries.

The example interview responses are structured using the STAR method and are categorized into the top 5 key problem-solving skills recruiters look for in a candidate.

1. Analytical Thinking

Situation: In my previous role as a data analyst , our team encountered a significant drop in website traffic.

Task: I was tasked with identifying the root cause of the decrease.

Action: I conducted a thorough analysis of website metrics, including traffic sources, user demographics, and page performance. Through my analysis, I discovered a technical issue with our website’s loading speed, causing users to bounce. 

Result: By optimizing server response time, compressing images, and minimizing redirects, we saw a 20% increase in traffic within two weeks.

2. Critical Thinking

Situation: During a project deadline crunch, our team encountered a major technical issue that threatened to derail our progress.

Task: My task was to assess the situation and devise a solution quickly.

Action: I immediately convened a meeting with the team to brainstorm potential solutions. Instead of panicking, I encouraged everyone to think outside the box and consider unconventional approaches. We analyzed the problem from different angles and weighed the pros and cons of each solution.

Result: By devising a workaround solution, we were able to meet the project deadline, avoiding potential delays that could have cost the company $100,000 in penalties for missing contractual obligations.

3. Decision Making

Situation: As a project manager , I was faced with a dilemma when two key team members had conflicting opinions on the project direction.

Task: My task was to make a decisive choice that would align with the project goals and maintain team cohesion.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with both team members to understand their perspectives in detail. I listened actively, asked probing questions, and encouraged open dialogue. After carefully weighing the pros and cons of each approach, I made a decision that incorporated elements from both viewpoints.

Result: The decision I made not only resolved the immediate conflict but also led to a stronger sense of collaboration within the team. By valuing input from all team members and making a well-informed decision, we were able to achieve our project objectives efficiently.

4. Communication (Teamwork)

Situation: During a cross-functional project, miscommunication between departments was causing delays and misunderstandings.

Task: My task was to improve communication channels and foster better teamwork among team members.

Action: I initiated regular cross-departmental meetings to ensure that everyone was on the same page regarding project goals and timelines. I also implemented a centralized communication platform where team members could share updates, ask questions, and collaborate more effectively.

Result: Streamlining workflows and improving communication channels led to a 30% reduction in project completion time, saving the company $25,000 in operational costs.

5. Persistence 

Situation: During a challenging sales quarter, I encountered numerous rejections and setbacks while trying to close a major client deal.

Task: My task was to persistently pursue the client and overcome obstacles to secure the deal.

Action: I maintained regular communication with the client, addressing their concerns and demonstrating the value proposition of our product. Despite facing multiple rejections, I remained persistent and resilient, adjusting my approach based on feedback and market dynamics.

Result: After months of perseverance, I successfully closed the deal with the client. By closing the major client deal, I exceeded quarterly sales targets by 25%, resulting in a revenue increase of $250,000 for the company.

Tips to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills

Throughout your career, being able to showcase and effectively communicate your problem-solving skills gives you more leverage in achieving better jobs and earning more money .

So to improve your problem-solving skills, I recommend always analyzing a problem and situation before acting.

 When discussing problem-solving with employers, you never want to sound like you rush or make impulsive decisions. They want to see fact-based or data-based decisions when you solve problems.

Don’t just say you’re good at solving problems. Show it with specifics. How much did you boost efficiency? Did you save the company money? Adding numbers can really make your achievements stand out.

To get better at solving problems, analyze the outcomes of past solutions you came up with. You can recognize what works and what doesn’t.

Think about how you can improve researching and analyzing a situation, how you can get better at communicating, and deciding on the right people in the organization to talk to and “pull in” to help you if needed, etc.

Finally, practice staying calm even in stressful situations. Take a few minutes to walk outside if needed. Step away from your phone and computer to clear your head. A work problem is rarely so urgent that you cannot take five minutes to think (with the possible exception of safety problems), and you’ll get better outcomes if you solve problems by acting logically instead of rushing to react in a panic.

You can use all of the ideas above to describe your problem-solving skills when asked interview questions about the topic. If you say that you do the things above, employers will be impressed when they assess your problem-solving ability.

More Interview Resources

• 3 Answers to “How Do You Handle Stress?”
• How to Answer “How Do You Handle Conflict?” (Interview Question)
• Sample Answers to “Tell Me About a Time You Failed”

About the Author

Biron Clark is a former executive recruiter who has worked individually with hundreds of job seekers, reviewed thousands of resumes and LinkedIn profiles, and recruited for top venture-backed startups and Fortune 500 companies. He has been advising job seekers since 2012 to think differently in their job search and land high-paying, competitive positions. Follow on Twitter and LinkedIn .

Read more articles by Biron Clark

About the Contributor

Kyle Elliott , career coach and mental health advocate, transforms his side hustle into a notable practice, aiding Silicon Valley professionals in maximizing potential. Follow Kyle on LinkedIn .

About the Editor

Hayley Jukes is the Editor-in-Chief at CareerSidekick with five years of experience creating engaging articles, books, and transcripts for diverse platforms and audiences.

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What is Problem Solving? (Steps, Techniques, Examples)

By Status.net Editorial Team on May 7, 2023 — 5 minutes to read

What Is Problem Solving?

Definition and importance.

Problem solving is the process of finding solutions to obstacles or challenges you encounter in your life or work. It is a crucial skill that allows you to tackle complex situations, adapt to changes, and overcome difficulties with ease. Mastering this ability will contribute to both your personal and professional growth, leading to more successful outcomes and better decision-making.

Problem-Solving Steps

The problem-solving process typically includes the following steps:

• Identify the issue : Recognize the problem that needs to be solved.
• Analyze the situation : Examine the issue in depth, gather all relevant information, and consider any limitations or constraints that may be present.
• Generate potential solutions : Brainstorm a list of possible solutions to the issue, without immediately judging or evaluating them.
• Evaluate options : Weigh the pros and cons of each potential solution, considering factors such as feasibility, effectiveness, and potential risks.
• Select the best solution : Choose the option that best addresses the problem and aligns with your objectives.
• Implement the solution : Put the selected solution into action and monitor the results to ensure it resolves the issue.
• Review and learn : Reflect on the problem-solving process, identify any improvements or adjustments that can be made, and apply these learnings to future situations.

Defining the Problem

To start tackling a problem, first, identify and understand it. Analyzing the issue thoroughly helps to clarify its scope and nature. Ask questions to gather information and consider the problem from various angles. Some strategies to define the problem include:

• Brainstorming with others
• Asking the 5 Ws and 1 H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How)
• Analyzing cause and effect
• Creating a problem statement

Generating Solutions

Once the problem is clearly understood, brainstorm possible solutions. Think creatively and keep an open mind, as well as considering lessons from past experiences. Consider:

• Creating a list of potential ideas to solve the problem
• Grouping and categorizing similar solutions
• Prioritizing potential solutions based on feasibility, cost, and resources required
• Involving others to share diverse opinions and inputs

Evaluating and Selecting Solutions

Evaluate each potential solution, weighing its pros and cons. To facilitate decision-making, use techniques such as:

• SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)
• Decision-making matrices
• Pros and cons lists
• Risk assessments

After evaluating, choose the most suitable solution based on effectiveness, cost, and time constraints.

Implementing and Monitoring the Solution

Implement the chosen solution and monitor its progress. Key actions include:

• Communicating the solution to relevant parties
• Setting timelines and milestones
• Assigning tasks and responsibilities
• Monitoring the solution and making adjustments as necessary
• Evaluating the effectiveness of the solution after implementation

Utilize feedback from stakeholders and consider potential improvements. Remember that problem-solving is an ongoing process that can always be refined and enhanced.

Problem-Solving Techniques

During each step, you may find it helpful to utilize various problem-solving techniques, such as:

• Brainstorming : A free-flowing, open-minded session where ideas are generated and listed without judgment, to encourage creativity and innovative thinking.
• Root cause analysis : A method that explores the underlying causes of a problem to find the most effective solution rather than addressing superficial symptoms.
• SWOT analysis : A tool used to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to a problem or decision, providing a comprehensive view of the situation.
• Mind mapping : A visual technique that uses diagrams to organize and connect ideas, helping to identify patterns, relationships, and possible solutions.

Brainstorming

When facing a problem, start by conducting a brainstorming session. Gather your team and encourage an open discussion where everyone contributes ideas, no matter how outlandish they may seem. This helps you:

• Generate a diverse range of solutions
• Encourage all team members to participate
• Foster creative thinking

When brainstorming, remember to:

• Reserve judgment until the session is over
• Encourage wild ideas
• Combine and improve upon ideas

Root Cause Analysis

For effective problem-solving, identifying the root cause of the issue at hand is crucial. Try these methods:

• 5 Whys : Ask “why” five times to get to the underlying cause.
• Fishbone Diagram : Create a diagram representing the problem and break it down into categories of potential causes.
• Pareto Analysis : Determine the few most significant causes underlying the majority of problems.

SWOT Analysis

SWOT analysis helps you examine the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to your problem. To perform a SWOT analysis:

• List your problem’s strengths, such as relevant resources or strong partnerships.
• Identify its weaknesses, such as knowledge gaps or limited resources.
• Explore opportunities, like trends or new technologies, that could help solve the problem.
• Recognize potential threats, like competition or regulatory barriers.

SWOT analysis aids in understanding the internal and external factors affecting the problem, which can help guide your solution.

Mind Mapping

A mind map is a visual representation of your problem and potential solutions. It enables you to organize information in a structured and intuitive manner. To create a mind map:

• Write the problem in the center of a blank page.
• Draw branches from the central problem to related sub-problems or contributing factors.
• Add more branches to represent potential solutions or further ideas.

Mind mapping allows you to visually see connections between ideas and promotes creativity in problem-solving.

Examples of Problem Solving in Various Contexts

In the business world, you might encounter problems related to finances, operations, or communication. Applying problem-solving skills in these situations could look like:

• Identifying areas of improvement in your company’s financial performance and implementing cost-saving measures
• Resolving internal conflicts among team members by listening and understanding different perspectives, then proposing and negotiating solutions
• Streamlining a process for better productivity by removing redundancies, automating tasks, or re-allocating resources

In educational contexts, problem-solving can be seen in various aspects, such as:

• Addressing a gap in students’ understanding by employing diverse teaching methods to cater to different learning styles
• Developing a strategy for successful time management to balance academic responsibilities and extracurricular activities
• Seeking resources and support to provide equal opportunities for learners with special needs or disabilities

Everyday life is full of challenges that require problem-solving skills. Some examples include:

• Overcoming a personal obstacle, such as improving your fitness level, by establishing achievable goals, measuring progress, and adjusting your approach accordingly
• Navigating a new environment or city by researching your surroundings, asking for directions, or using technology like GPS to guide you
• Dealing with a sudden change, like a change in your work schedule, by assessing the situation, identifying potential impacts, and adapting your plans to accommodate the change.
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35 problem-solving techniques and methods for solving complex problems

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All teams and organizations encounter challenges as they grow. There are problems that might occur for teams when it comes to miscommunication or resolving business-critical issues . You may face challenges around growth , design , user engagement, and even team culture and happiness. In short, problem-solving techniques should be part of every team’s skillset.

Problem-solving methods are primarily designed to help a group or team through a process of first identifying problems and challenges , ideating possible solutions , and then evaluating the most suitable .

Finding effective solutions to complex problems isn’t easy, but by using the right process and techniques, you can help your team be more efficient in the process.

So how do you develop strategies that are engaging, and empower your team to solve problems effectively?

In this blog post, we share a series of problem-solving tools you can use in your next workshop or team meeting. You’ll also find some tips for facilitating the process and how to enable others to solve complex problems.

Let’s get started! 

How do you identify problems?

How do you identify the right solution.

• Tips for more effective problem-solving

Complete problem-solving methods

• Problem-solving techniques to identify and analyze problems
• Problem-solving techniques for developing solutions

Problem-solving warm-up activities

Closing activities for a problem-solving process.

Before you can move towards finding the right solution for a given problem, you first need to identify and define the problem you wish to solve. 

Here, you want to clearly articulate what the problem is and allow your group to do the same. Remember that everyone in a group is likely to have differing perspectives and alignment is necessary in order to help the group move forward. 

Identifying a problem accurately also requires that all members of a group are able to contribute their views in an open and safe manner. It can be scary for people to stand up and contribute, especially if the problems or challenges are emotive or personal in nature. Be sure to try and create a psychologically safe space for these kinds of discussions.

Remember that problem analysis and further discussion are also important. Not taking the time to fully analyze and discuss a challenge can result in the development of solutions that are not fit for purpose or do not address the underlying issue.

Successfully identifying and then analyzing a problem means facilitating a group through activities designed to help them clearly and honestly articulate their thoughts and produce usable insight.

With this data, you might then produce a problem statement that clearly describes the problem you wish to be addressed and also state the goal of any process you undertake to tackle this issue.  

Finding solutions is the end goal of any process. Complex organizational challenges can only be solved with an appropriate solution but discovering them requires using the right problem-solving tool.

After you’ve explored a problem and discussed ideas, you need to help a team discuss and choose the right solution. Consensus tools and methods such as those below help a group explore possible solutions before then voting for the best. They’re a great way to tap into the collective intelligence of the group for great results!

Remember that the process is often iterative. Great problem solvers often roadtest a viable solution in a measured way to see what works too. While you might not get the right solution on your first try, the methods below help teams land on the most likely to succeed solution while also holding space for improvement.

Every effective problem solving process begins with an agenda . A well-structured workshop is one of the best methods for successfully guiding a group from exploring a problem to implementing a solution.

In SessionLab, it’s easy to go from an idea to a complete agenda . Start by dragging and dropping your core problem solving activities into place . Add timings, breaks and necessary materials before sharing your agenda with your colleagues.

The resulting agenda will be your guide to an effective and productive problem solving session that will also help you stay organized on the day!

Tips for more effective problem solving

Problem-solving activities are only one part of the puzzle. While a great method can help unlock your team’s ability to solve problems, without a thoughtful approach and strong facilitation the solutions may not be fit for purpose.

Let’s take a look at some problem-solving tips you can apply to any process to help it be a success!

Clearly define the problem

Jumping straight to solutions can be tempting, though without first clearly articulating a problem, the solution might not be the right one. Many of the problem-solving activities below include sections where the problem is explored and clearly defined before moving on.

This is a vital part of the problem-solving process and taking the time to fully define an issue can save time and effort later. A clear definition helps identify irrelevant information and it also ensures that your team sets off on the right track.

Don’t jump to conclusions

It’s easy for groups to exhibit cognitive bias or have preconceived ideas about both problems and potential solutions. Be sure to back up any problem statements or potential solutions with facts, research, and adequate forethought.

The best techniques ask participants to be methodical and challenge preconceived notions. Make sure you give the group enough time and space to collect relevant information and consider the problem in a new way. By approaching the process with a clear, rational mindset, you’ll often find that better solutions are more forthcoming.  

Try different approaches  

Problems come in all shapes and sizes and so too should the methods you use to solve them. If you find that one approach isn’t yielding results and your team isn’t finding different solutions, try mixing it up. You’ll be surprised at how using a new creative activity can unblock your team and generate great solutions.

Don’t take it personally 

Depending on the nature of your team or organizational problems, it’s easy for conversations to get heated. While it’s good for participants to be engaged in the discussions, ensure that emotions don’t run too high and that blame isn’t thrown around while finding solutions.

You’re all in it together, and even if your team or area is seeing problems, that isn’t necessarily a disparagement of you personally. Using facilitation skills to manage group dynamics is one effective method of helping conversations be more constructive.

Get the right people in the room

Your problem-solving method is often only as effective as the group using it. Getting the right people on the job and managing the number of people present is important too!

If the group is too small, you may not get enough different perspectives to effectively solve a problem. If the group is too large, you can go round and round during the ideation stages.

Creating the right group makeup is also important in ensuring you have the necessary expertise and skillset to both identify and follow up on potential solutions. Carefully consider who to include at each stage to help ensure your problem-solving method is followed and positioned for success.

Document everything

The best solutions can take refinement, iteration, and reflection to come out. Get into a habit of documenting your process in order to keep all the learnings from the session and to allow ideas to mature and develop. Many of the methods below involve the creation of documents or shared resources. Be sure to keep and share these so everyone can benefit from the work done!

Bring a facilitator 

Facilitation is all about making group processes easier. With a subject as potentially emotive and important as problem-solving, having an impartial third party in the form of a facilitator can make all the difference in finding great solutions and keeping the process moving. Consider bringing a facilitator to your problem-solving session to get better results and generate meaningful solutions!

Develop your problem-solving skills

It takes time and practice to be an effective problem solver. While some roles or participants might more naturally gravitate towards problem-solving, it can take development and planning to help everyone create better solutions.

You might develop a training program, run a problem-solving workshop or simply ask your team to practice using the techniques below. Check out our post on problem-solving skills to see how you and your group can develop the right mental process and be more resilient to issues too!

Design a great agenda

Workshops are a great format for solving problems. With the right approach, you can focus a group and help them find the solutions to their own problems. But designing a process can be time-consuming and finding the right activities can be difficult.

Check out our workshop planning guide to level-up your agenda design and start running more effective workshops. Need inspiration? Check out templates designed by expert facilitators to help you kickstart your process!

In this section, we’ll look at in-depth problem-solving methods that provide a complete end-to-end process for developing effective solutions. These will help guide your team from the discovery and definition of a problem through to delivering the right solution.

If you’re looking for an all-encompassing method or problem-solving model, these processes are a great place to start. They’ll ask your team to challenge preconceived ideas and adopt a mindset for solving problems more effectively.

• Six Thinking Hats
• Lightning Decision Jam
• Problem Definition Process
• Discovery & Action Dialogue

Design Sprint 2.0

• Open Space Technology

1. Six Thinking Hats

Individual approaches to solving a problem can be very different based on what team or role an individual holds. It can be easy for existing biases or perspectives to find their way into the mix, or for internal politics to direct a conversation.

Six Thinking Hats is a classic method for identifying the problems that need to be solved and enables your team to consider them from different angles, whether that is by focusing on facts and data, creative solutions, or by considering why a particular solution might not work.

Like all problem-solving frameworks, Six Thinking Hats is effective at helping teams remove roadblocks from a conversation or discussion and come to terms with all the aspects necessary to solve complex problems.

2. Lightning Decision Jam

Featured courtesy of Jonathan Courtney of AJ&Smart Berlin, Lightning Decision Jam is one of those strategies that should be in every facilitation toolbox. Exploring problems and finding solutions is often creative in nature, though as with any creative process, there is the potential to lose focus and get lost.

Unstructured discussions might get you there in the end, but it’s much more effective to use a method that creates a clear process and team focus.

In Lightning Decision Jam, participants are invited to begin by writing challenges, concerns, or mistakes on post-its without discussing them before then being invited by the moderator to present them to the group.

From there, the team vote on which problems to solve and are guided through steps that will allow them to reframe those problems, create solutions and then decide what to execute on. 

By deciding the problems that need to be solved as a team before moving on, this group process is great for ensuring the whole team is aligned and can take ownership over the next stages. 

Lightning Decision Jam (LDJ)   #action   #decision making   #problem solving   #issue analysis   #innovation   #design   #remote-friendly   The problem with anything that requires creative thinking is that it’s easy to get lost—lose focus and fall into the trap of having useless, open-ended, unstructured discussions. Here’s the most effective solution I’ve found: Replace all open, unstructured discussion with a clear process. What to use this exercise for: Anything which requires a group of people to make decisions, solve problems or discuss challenges. It’s always good to frame an LDJ session with a broad topic, here are some examples: The conversion flow of our checkout Our internal design process How we organise events Keeping up with our competition Improving sales flow

3. Problem Definition Process

While problems can be complex, the problem-solving methods you use to identify and solve those problems can often be simple in design. 

By taking the time to truly identify and define a problem before asking the group to reframe the challenge as an opportunity, this method is a great way to enable change.

Begin by identifying a focus question and exploring the ways in which it manifests before splitting into five teams who will each consider the problem using a different method: escape, reversal, exaggeration, distortion or wishful. Teams develop a problem objective and create ideas in line with their method before then feeding them back to the group.

This method is great for enabling in-depth discussions while also creating space for finding creative solutions too!

Problem Definition   #problem solving   #idea generation   #creativity   #online   #remote-friendly   A problem solving technique to define a problem, challenge or opportunity and to generate ideas.

4. The 5 Whys 

Sometimes, a group needs to go further with their strategies and analyze the root cause at the heart of organizational issues. An RCA or root cause analysis is the process of identifying what is at the heart of business problems or recurring challenges. 

The 5 Whys is a simple and effective method of helping a group go find the root cause of any problem or challenge and conduct analysis that will deliver results. 

By beginning with the creation of a problem statement and going through five stages to refine it, The 5 Whys provides everything you need to truly discover the cause of an issue.

The 5 Whys   #hyperisland   #innovation   This simple and powerful method is useful for getting to the core of a problem or challenge. As the title suggests, the group defines a problems, then asks the question “why” five times, often using the resulting explanation as a starting point for creative problem solving.

5. World Cafe

World Cafe is a simple but powerful facilitation technique to help bigger groups to focus their energy and attention on solving complex problems.

World Cafe enables this approach by creating a relaxed atmosphere where participants are able to self-organize and explore topics relevant and important to them which are themed around a central problem-solving purpose. Create the right atmosphere by modeling your space after a cafe and after guiding the group through the method, let them take the lead!

Making problem-solving a part of your organization’s culture in the long term can be a difficult undertaking. More approachable formats like World Cafe can be especially effective in bringing people unfamiliar with workshops into the fold. 

World Cafe   #hyperisland   #innovation   #issue analysis   World Café is a simple yet powerful method, originated by Juanita Brown, for enabling meaningful conversations driven completely by participants and the topics that are relevant and important to them. Facilitators create a cafe-style space and provide simple guidelines. Participants then self-organize and explore a set of relevant topics or questions for conversation.

6. Discovery & Action Dialogue (DAD)

One of the best approaches is to create a safe space for a group to share and discover practices and behaviors that can help them find their own solutions.

With DAD, you can help a group choose which problems they wish to solve and which approaches they will take to do so. It’s great at helping remove resistance to change and can help get buy-in at every level too!

This process of enabling frontline ownership is great in ensuring follow-through and is one of the methods you will want in your toolbox as a facilitator.

Discovery & Action Dialogue (DAD)   #idea generation   #liberating structures   #action   #issue analysis   #remote-friendly   DADs make it easy for a group or community to discover practices and behaviors that enable some individuals (without access to special resources and facing the same constraints) to find better solutions than their peers to common problems. These are called positive deviant (PD) behaviors and practices. DADs make it possible for people in the group, unit, or community to discover by themselves these PD practices. DADs also create favorable conditions for stimulating participants’ creativity in spaces where they can feel safe to invent new and more effective practices. Resistance to change evaporates as participants are unleashed to choose freely which practices they will adopt or try and which problems they will tackle. DADs make it possible to achieve frontline ownership of solutions.

7. Design Sprint 2.0

Want to see how a team can solve big problems and move forward with prototyping and testing solutions in a few days? The Design Sprint 2.0 template from Jake Knapp, author of Sprint, is a complete agenda for a with proven results.

Developing the right agenda can involve difficult but necessary planning. Ensuring all the correct steps are followed can also be stressful or time-consuming depending on your level of experience.

Use this complete 4-day workshop template if you are finding there is no obvious solution to your challenge and want to focus your team around a specific problem that might require a shortcut to launching a minimum viable product or waiting for the organization-wide implementation of a solution.

8. Open space technology

Open space technology- developed by Harrison Owen – creates a space where large groups are invited to take ownership of their problem solving and lead individual sessions. Open space technology is a great format when you have a great deal of expertise and insight in the room and want to allow for different takes and approaches on a particular theme or problem you need to be solved.

Start by bringing your participants together to align around a central theme and focus their efforts. Explain the ground rules to help guide the problem-solving process and then invite members to identify any issue connecting to the central theme that they are interested in and are prepared to take responsibility for.

Once participants have decided on their approach to the core theme, they write their issue on a piece of paper, announce it to the group, pick a session time and place, and post the paper on the wall. As the wall fills up with sessions, the group is then invited to join the sessions that interest them the most and which they can contribute to, then you’re ready to begin!

Everyone joins the problem-solving group they’ve signed up to, record the discussion and if appropriate, findings can then be shared with the rest of the group afterward.

Open Space Technology   #action plan   #idea generation   #problem solving   #issue analysis   #large group   #online   #remote-friendly   Open Space is a methodology for large groups to create their agenda discerning important topics for discussion, suitable for conferences, community gatherings and whole system facilitation

Techniques to identify and analyze problems

Using a problem-solving method to help a team identify and analyze a problem can be a quick and effective addition to any workshop or meeting.

While further actions are always necessary, you can generate momentum and alignment easily, and these activities are a great place to get started.

We’ve put together this list of techniques to help you and your team with problem identification, analysis, and discussion that sets the foundation for developing effective solutions.

Let’s take a look!

• The Creativity Dice
• Fishbone Analysis
• Problem Tree
• SWOT Analysis
• Agreement-Certainty Matrix
• The Journalistic Six
• LEGO Challenge
• What, So What, Now What?
• Journalists

Individual and group perspectives are incredibly important, but what happens if people are set in their minds and need a change of perspective in order to approach a problem more effectively?

Flip It is a method we love because it is both simple to understand and run, and allows groups to understand how their perspectives and biases are formed. 

Participants in Flip It are first invited to consider concerns, issues, or problems from a perspective of fear and write them on a flip chart. Then, the group is asked to consider those same issues from a perspective of hope and flip their understanding.  

No problem and solution is free from existing bias and by changing perspectives with Flip It, you can then develop a problem solving model quickly and effectively.

Flip It!   #gamestorming   #problem solving   #action   Often, a change in a problem or situation comes simply from a change in our perspectives. Flip It! is a quick game designed to show players that perspectives are made, not born.

10. The Creativity Dice

One of the most useful problem solving skills you can teach your team is of approaching challenges with creativity, flexibility, and openness. Games like The Creativity Dice allow teams to overcome the potential hurdle of too much linear thinking and approach the process with a sense of fun and speed. 

In The Creativity Dice, participants are organized around a topic and roll a dice to determine what they will work on for a period of 3 minutes at a time. They might roll a 3 and work on investigating factual information on the chosen topic. They might roll a 1 and work on identifying the specific goals, standards, or criteria for the session.

Encouraging rapid work and iteration while asking participants to be flexible are great skills to cultivate. Having a stage for idea incubation in this game is also important. Moments of pause can help ensure the ideas that are put forward are the most suitable. 

The Creativity Dice   #creativity   #problem solving   #thiagi   #issue analysis   Too much linear thinking is hazardous to creative problem solving. To be creative, you should approach the problem (or the opportunity) from different points of view. You should leave a thought hanging in mid-air and move to another. This skipping around prevents premature closure and lets your brain incubate one line of thought while you consciously pursue another.

11. Fishbone Analysis

Organizational or team challenges are rarely simple, and it’s important to remember that one problem can be an indication of something that goes deeper and may require further consideration to be solved.

Fishbone Analysis helps groups to dig deeper and understand the origins of a problem. It’s a great example of a root cause analysis method that is simple for everyone on a team to get their head around. 

Participants in this activity are asked to annotate a diagram of a fish, first adding the problem or issue to be worked on at the head of a fish before then brainstorming the root causes of the problem and adding them as bones on the fish. 

Using abstractions such as a diagram of a fish can really help a team break out of their regular thinking and develop a creative approach.

Fishbone Analysis   #problem solving   ##root cause analysis   #decision making   #online facilitation   A process to help identify and understand the origins of problems, issues or observations.

12. Problem Tree 

Encouraging visual thinking can be an essential part of many strategies. By simply reframing and clarifying problems, a group can move towards developing a problem solving model that works for them. 

In Problem Tree, groups are asked to first brainstorm a list of problems – these can be design problems, team problems or larger business problems – and then organize them into a hierarchy. The hierarchy could be from most important to least important or abstract to practical, though the key thing with problem solving games that involve this aspect is that your group has some way of managing and sorting all the issues that are raised.

Once you have a list of problems that need to be solved and have organized them accordingly, you’re then well-positioned for the next problem solving steps.

Problem tree   #define intentions   #create   #design   #issue analysis   A problem tree is a tool to clarify the hierarchy of problems addressed by the team within a design project; it represents high level problems or related sublevel problems.

13. SWOT Analysis

Chances are you’ve heard of the SWOT Analysis before. This problem-solving method focuses on identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats is a tried and tested method for both individuals and teams.

Start by creating a desired end state or outcome and bare this in mind – any process solving model is made more effective by knowing what you are moving towards. Create a quadrant made up of the four categories of a SWOT analysis and ask participants to generate ideas based on each of those quadrants.

Once you have those ideas assembled in their quadrants, cluster them together based on their affinity with other ideas. These clusters are then used to facilitate group conversations and move things forward. 

SWOT analysis   #gamestorming   #problem solving   #action   #meeting facilitation   The SWOT Analysis is a long-standing technique of looking at what we have, with respect to the desired end state, as well as what we could improve on. It gives us an opportunity to gauge approaching opportunities and dangers, and assess the seriousness of the conditions that affect our future. When we understand those conditions, we can influence what comes next.

14. Agreement-Certainty Matrix

Not every problem-solving approach is right for every challenge, and deciding on the right method for the challenge at hand is a key part of being an effective team.

The Agreement Certainty matrix helps teams align on the nature of the challenges facing them. By sorting problems from simple to chaotic, your team can understand what methods are suitable for each problem and what they can do to ensure effective results. 

If you are already using Liberating Structures techniques as part of your problem-solving strategy, the Agreement-Certainty Matrix can be an invaluable addition to your process. We’ve found it particularly if you are having issues with recurring problems in your organization and want to go deeper in understanding the root cause. 

Agreement-Certainty Matrix   #issue analysis   #liberating structures   #problem solving   You can help individuals or groups avoid the frequent mistake of trying to solve a problem with methods that are not adapted to the nature of their challenge. The combination of two questions makes it possible to easily sort challenges into four categories: simple, complicated, complex , and chaotic .  A problem is simple when it can be solved reliably with practices that are easy to duplicate.  It is complicated when experts are required to devise a sophisticated solution that will yield the desired results predictably.  A problem is complex when there are several valid ways to proceed but outcomes are not predictable in detail.  Chaotic is when the context is too turbulent to identify a path forward.  A loose analogy may be used to describe these differences: simple is like following a recipe, complicated like sending a rocket to the moon, complex like raising a child, and chaotic is like the game “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.”  The Liberating Structures Matching Matrix in Chapter 5 can be used as the first step to clarify the nature of a challenge and avoid the mismatches between problems and solutions that are frequently at the root of chronic, recurring problems.

Organizing and charting a team’s progress can be important in ensuring its success. SQUID (Sequential Question and Insight Diagram) is a great model that allows a team to effectively switch between giving questions and answers and develop the skills they need to stay on track throughout the process. 

Begin with two different colored sticky notes – one for questions and one for answers – and with your central topic (the head of the squid) on the board. Ask the group to first come up with a series of questions connected to their best guess of how to approach the topic. Ask the group to come up with answers to those questions, fix them to the board and connect them with a line. After some discussion, go back to question mode by responding to the generated answers or other points on the board.

It’s rewarding to see a diagram grow throughout the exercise, and a completed SQUID can provide a visual resource for future effort and as an example for other teams.

SQUID   #gamestorming   #project planning   #issue analysis   #problem solving   When exploring an information space, it’s important for a group to know where they are at any given time. By using SQUID, a group charts out the territory as they go and can navigate accordingly. SQUID stands for Sequential Question and Insight Diagram.

16. Speed Boat

To continue with our nautical theme, Speed Boat is a short and sweet activity that can help a team quickly identify what employees, clients or service users might have a problem with and analyze what might be standing in the way of achieving a solution.

Methods that allow for a group to make observations, have insights and obtain those eureka moments quickly are invaluable when trying to solve complex problems.

In Speed Boat, the approach is to first consider what anchors and challenges might be holding an organization (or boat) back. Bonus points if you are able to identify any sharks in the water and develop ideas that can also deal with competitors!   

Speed Boat   #gamestorming   #problem solving   #action   Speedboat is a short and sweet way to identify what your employees or clients don’t like about your product/service or what’s standing in the way of a desired goal.

17. The Journalistic Six

Some of the most effective ways of solving problems is by encouraging teams to be more inclusive and diverse in their thinking.

Based on the six key questions journalism students are taught to answer in articles and news stories, The Journalistic Six helps create teams to see the whole picture. By using who, what, when, where, why, and how to facilitate the conversation and encourage creative thinking, your team can make sure that the problem identification and problem analysis stages of the are covered exhaustively and thoughtfully. Reporter’s notebook and dictaphone optional.

The Journalistic Six – Who What When Where Why How   #idea generation   #issue analysis   #problem solving   #online   #creative thinking   #remote-friendly   A questioning method for generating, explaining, investigating ideas.

18. LEGO Challenge

Now for an activity that is a little out of the (toy) box. LEGO Serious Play is a facilitation methodology that can be used to improve creative thinking and problem-solving skills. 

The LEGO Challenge includes giving each member of the team an assignment that is hidden from the rest of the group while they create a structure without speaking.

What the LEGO challenge brings to the table is a fun working example of working with stakeholders who might not be on the same page to solve problems. Also, it’s LEGO! Who doesn’t love LEGO! 

LEGO Challenge   #hyperisland   #team   A team-building activity in which groups must work together to build a structure out of LEGO, but each individual has a secret “assignment” which makes the collaborative process more challenging. It emphasizes group communication, leadership dynamics, conflict, cooperation, patience and problem solving strategy.

19. What, So What, Now What?

If not carefully managed, the problem identification and problem analysis stages of the problem-solving process can actually create more problems and misunderstandings.

The What, So What, Now What? problem-solving activity is designed to help collect insights and move forward while also eliminating the possibility of disagreement when it comes to identifying, clarifying, and analyzing organizational or work problems. 

Facilitation is all about bringing groups together so that might work on a shared goal and the best problem-solving strategies ensure that teams are aligned in purpose, if not initially in opinion or insight.

Throughout the three steps of this game, you give everyone on a team to reflect on a problem by asking what happened, why it is important, and what actions should then be taken. 

This can be a great activity for bringing our individual perceptions about a problem or challenge and contextualizing it in a larger group setting. This is one of the most important problem-solving skills you can bring to your organization.

W³ – What, So What, Now What?   #issue analysis   #innovation   #liberating structures   You can help groups reflect on a shared experience in a way that builds understanding and spurs coordinated action while avoiding unproductive conflict. It is possible for every voice to be heard while simultaneously sifting for insights and shaping new direction. Progressing in stages makes this practical—from collecting facts about What Happened to making sense of these facts with So What and finally to what actions logically follow with Now What . The shared progression eliminates most of the misunderstandings that otherwise fuel disagreements about what to do. Voila!

20. Journalists  

Problem analysis can be one of the most important and decisive stages of all problem-solving tools. Sometimes, a team can become bogged down in the details and are unable to move forward.

Journalists is an activity that can avoid a group from getting stuck in the problem identification or problem analysis stages of the process.

In Journalists, the group is invited to draft the front page of a fictional newspaper and figure out what stories deserve to be on the cover and what headlines those stories will have. By reframing how your problems and challenges are approached, you can help a team move productively through the process and be better prepared for the steps to follow.

Journalists   #vision   #big picture   #issue analysis   #remote-friendly   This is an exercise to use when the group gets stuck in details and struggles to see the big picture. Also good for defining a vision.

Problem-solving techniques for developing solutions 

The success of any problem-solving process can be measured by the solutions it produces. After you’ve defined the issue, explored existing ideas, and ideated, it’s time to narrow down to the correct solution.

Use these problem-solving techniques when you want to help your team find consensus, compare possible solutions, and move towards taking action on a particular problem.

• Improved Solutions
• Four-Step Sketch
• 15% Solutions
• How-Now-Wow matrix
• Impact Effort Matrix

21. Mindspin  

Brainstorming is part of the bread and butter of the problem-solving process and all problem-solving strategies benefit from getting ideas out and challenging a team to generate solutions quickly. 

With Mindspin, participants are encouraged not only to generate ideas but to do so under time constraints and by slamming down cards and passing them on. By doing multiple rounds, your team can begin with a free generation of possible solutions before moving on to developing those solutions and encouraging further ideation. 

This is one of our favorite problem-solving activities and can be great for keeping the energy up throughout the workshop. Remember the importance of helping people become engaged in the process – energizing problem-solving techniques like Mindspin can help ensure your team stays engaged and happy, even when the problems they’re coming together to solve are complex. 

MindSpin   #teampedia   #idea generation   #problem solving   #action   A fast and loud method to enhance brainstorming within a team. Since this activity has more than round ideas that are repetitive can be ruled out leaving more creative and innovative answers to the challenge.

22. Improved Solutions

After a team has successfully identified a problem and come up with a few solutions, it can be tempting to call the work of the problem-solving process complete. That said, the first solution is not necessarily the best, and by including a further review and reflection activity into your problem-solving model, you can ensure your group reaches the best possible result. 

One of a number of problem-solving games from Thiagi Group, Improved Solutions helps you go the extra mile and develop suggested solutions with close consideration and peer review. By supporting the discussion of several problems at once and by shifting team roles throughout, this problem-solving technique is a dynamic way of finding the best solution. 

Improved Solutions   #creativity   #thiagi   #problem solving   #action   #team   You can improve any solution by objectively reviewing its strengths and weaknesses and making suitable adjustments. In this creativity framegame, you improve the solutions to several problems. To maintain objective detachment, you deal with a different problem during each of six rounds and assume different roles (problem owner, consultant, basher, booster, enhancer, and evaluator) during each round. At the conclusion of the activity, each player ends up with two solutions to her problem.

23. Four Step Sketch

Creative thinking and visual ideation does not need to be confined to the opening stages of your problem-solving strategies. Exercises that include sketching and prototyping on paper can be effective at the solution finding and development stage of the process, and can be great for keeping a team engaged. 

By going from simple notes to a crazy 8s round that involves rapidly sketching 8 variations on their ideas before then producing a final solution sketch, the group is able to iterate quickly and visually. Problem-solving techniques like Four-Step Sketch are great if you have a group of different thinkers and want to change things up from a more textual or discussion-based approach.

Four-Step Sketch   #design sprint   #innovation   #idea generation   #remote-friendly   The four-step sketch is an exercise that helps people to create well-formed concepts through a structured process that includes: Review key information Start design work on paper,  Consider multiple variations , Create a detailed solution . This exercise is preceded by a set of other activities allowing the group to clarify the challenge they want to solve. See how the Four Step Sketch exercise fits into a Design Sprint

24. 15% Solutions

Some problems are simpler than others and with the right problem-solving activities, you can empower people to take immediate actions that can help create organizational change. 

Part of the liberating structures toolkit, 15% solutions is a problem-solving technique that focuses on finding and implementing solutions quickly. A process of iterating and making small changes quickly can help generate momentum and an appetite for solving complex problems.

Problem-solving strategies can live and die on whether people are onboard. Getting some quick wins is a great way of getting people behind the process.   

It can be extremely empowering for a team to realize that problem-solving techniques can be deployed quickly and easily and delineate between things they can positively impact and those things they cannot change. 

15% Solutions   #action   #liberating structures   #remote-friendly   You can reveal the actions, however small, that everyone can do immediately. At a minimum, these will create momentum, and that may make a BIG difference.  15% Solutions show that there is no reason to wait around, feel powerless, or fearful. They help people pick it up a level. They get individuals and the group to focus on what is within their discretion instead of what they cannot change.  With a very simple question, you can flip the conversation to what can be done and find solutions to big problems that are often distributed widely in places not known in advance. Shifting a few grains of sand may trigger a landslide and change the whole landscape.

25. How-Now-Wow Matrix

The problem-solving process is often creative, as complex problems usually require a change of thinking and creative response in order to find the best solutions. While it’s common for the first stages to encourage creative thinking, groups can often gravitate to familiar solutions when it comes to the end of the process. 

When selecting solutions, you don’t want to lose your creative energy! The How-Now-Wow Matrix from Gamestorming is a great problem-solving activity that enables a group to stay creative and think out of the box when it comes to selecting the right solution for a given problem.

Problem-solving techniques that encourage creative thinking and the ideation and selection of new solutions can be the most effective in organisational change. Give the How-Now-Wow Matrix a go, and not just for how pleasant it is to say out loud. 

How-Now-Wow Matrix   #gamestorming   #idea generation   #remote-friendly   When people want to develop new ideas, they most often think out of the box in the brainstorming or divergent phase. However, when it comes to convergence, people often end up picking ideas that are most familiar to them. This is called a ‘creative paradox’ or a ‘creadox’. The How-Now-Wow matrix is an idea selection tool that breaks the creadox by forcing people to weigh each idea on 2 parameters.

26. Impact and Effort Matrix

All problem-solving techniques hope to not only find solutions to a given problem or challenge but to find the best solution. When it comes to finding a solution, groups are invited to put on their decision-making hats and really think about how a proposed idea would work in practice. 

The Impact and Effort Matrix is one of the problem-solving techniques that fall into this camp, empowering participants to first generate ideas and then categorize them into a 2×2 matrix based on impact and effort.

Activities that invite critical thinking while remaining simple are invaluable. Use the Impact and Effort Matrix to move from ideation and towards evaluating potential solutions before then committing to them. 

Impact and Effort Matrix   #gamestorming   #decision making   #action   #remote-friendly   In this decision-making exercise, possible actions are mapped based on two factors: effort required to implement and potential impact. Categorizing ideas along these lines is a useful technique in decision making, as it obliges contributors to balance and evaluate suggested actions before committing to them.

27. Dotmocracy

If you’ve followed each of the problem-solving steps with your group successfully, you should move towards the end of your process with heaps of possible solutions developed with a specific problem in mind. But how do you help a group go from ideation to putting a solution into action? 

Dotmocracy – or Dot Voting -is a tried and tested method of helping a team in the problem-solving process make decisions and put actions in place with a degree of oversight and consensus. 

One of the problem-solving techniques that should be in every facilitator’s toolbox, Dot Voting is fast and effective and can help identify the most popular and best solutions and help bring a group to a decision effectively. 

Dotmocracy   #action   #decision making   #group prioritization   #hyperisland   #remote-friendly   Dotmocracy is a simple method for group prioritization or decision-making. It is not an activity on its own, but a method to use in processes where prioritization or decision-making is the aim. The method supports a group to quickly see which options are most popular or relevant. The options or ideas are written on post-its and stuck up on a wall for the whole group to see. Each person votes for the options they think are the strongest, and that information is used to inform a decision.

All facilitators know that warm-ups and icebreakers are useful for any workshop or group process. Problem-solving workshops are no different.

Use these problem-solving techniques to warm up a group and prepare them for the rest of the process. Activating your group by tapping into some of the top problem-solving skills can be one of the best ways to see great outcomes from your session.

• Check-in/Check-out
• Doodling Together
• Show and Tell
• Constellations
• Draw a Tree

28. Check-in / Check-out

Solid processes are planned from beginning to end, and the best facilitators know that setting the tone and establishing a safe, open environment can be integral to a successful problem-solving process.

Check-in / Check-out is a great way to begin and/or bookend a problem-solving workshop. Checking in to a session emphasizes that everyone will be seen, heard, and expected to contribute. 

If you are running a series of meetings, setting a consistent pattern of checking in and checking out can really help your team get into a groove. We recommend this opening-closing activity for small to medium-sized groups though it can work with large groups if they’re disciplined!

Check-in / Check-out   #team   #opening   #closing   #hyperisland   #remote-friendly   Either checking-in or checking-out is a simple way for a team to open or close a process, symbolically and in a collaborative way. Checking-in/out invites each member in a group to be present, seen and heard, and to express a reflection or a feeling. Checking-in emphasizes presence, focus and group commitment; checking-out emphasizes reflection and symbolic closure.

29. Doodling Together  

Thinking creatively and not being afraid to make suggestions are important problem-solving skills for any group or team, and warming up by encouraging these behaviors is a great way to start. 

Doodling Together is one of our favorite creative ice breaker games – it’s quick, effective, and fun and can make all following problem-solving steps easier by encouraging a group to collaborate visually. By passing cards and adding additional items as they go, the workshop group gets into a groove of co-creation and idea development that is crucial to finding solutions to problems. 

Doodling Together   #collaboration   #creativity   #teamwork   #fun   #team   #visual methods   #energiser   #icebreaker   #remote-friendly   Create wild, weird and often funny postcards together & establish a group’s creative confidence.

30. Show and Tell

You might remember some version of Show and Tell from being a kid in school and it’s a great problem-solving activity to kick off a session.

Asking participants to prepare a little something before a workshop by bringing an object for show and tell can help them warm up before the session has even begun! Games that include a physical object can also help encourage early engagement before moving onto more big-picture thinking.

By asking your participants to tell stories about why they chose to bring a particular item to the group, you can help teams see things from new perspectives and see both differences and similarities in the way they approach a topic. Great groundwork for approaching a problem-solving process as a team! 

Show and Tell   #gamestorming   #action   #opening   #meeting facilitation   Show and Tell taps into the power of metaphors to reveal players’ underlying assumptions and associations around a topic The aim of the game is to get a deeper understanding of stakeholders’ perspectives on anything—a new project, an organizational restructuring, a shift in the company’s vision or team dynamic.

31. Constellations

Who doesn’t love stars? Constellations is a great warm-up activity for any workshop as it gets people up off their feet, energized, and ready to engage in new ways with established topics. It’s also great for showing existing beliefs, biases, and patterns that can come into play as part of your session.

Using warm-up games that help build trust and connection while also allowing for non-verbal responses can be great for easing people into the problem-solving process and encouraging engagement from everyone in the group. Constellations is great in large spaces that allow for movement and is definitely a practical exercise to allow the group to see patterns that are otherwise invisible. 

Constellations   #trust   #connection   #opening   #coaching   #patterns   #system   Individuals express their response to a statement or idea by standing closer or further from a central object. Used with teams to reveal system, hidden patterns, perspectives.

32. Draw a Tree

Problem-solving games that help raise group awareness through a central, unifying metaphor can be effective ways to warm-up a group in any problem-solving model.

Draw a Tree is a simple warm-up activity you can use in any group and which can provide a quick jolt of energy. Start by asking your participants to draw a tree in just 45 seconds – they can choose whether it will be abstract or realistic. 

Once the timer is up, ask the group how many people included the roots of the tree and use this as a means to discuss how we can ignore important parts of any system simply because they are not visible.

All problem-solving strategies are made more effective by thinking of problems critically and by exposing things that may not normally come to light. Warm-up games like Draw a Tree are great in that they quickly demonstrate some key problem-solving skills in an accessible and effective way.

Draw a Tree   #thiagi   #opening   #perspectives   #remote-friendly   With this game you can raise awarness about being more mindful, and aware of the environment we live in.

Each step of the problem-solving workshop benefits from an intelligent deployment of activities, games, and techniques. Bringing your session to an effective close helps ensure that solutions are followed through on and that you also celebrate what has been achieved.

Here are some problem-solving activities you can use to effectively close a workshop or meeting and ensure the great work you’ve done can continue afterward.

• One Breath Feedback
• Who What When Matrix
• Response Cards

How do I conclude a problem-solving process?

All good things must come to an end. With the bulk of the work done, it can be tempting to conclude your workshop swiftly and without a moment to debrief and align. This can be problematic in that it doesn’t allow your team to fully process the results or reflect on the process.

At the end of an effective session, your team will have gone through a process that, while productive, can be exhausting. It’s important to give your group a moment to take a breath, ensure that they are clear on future actions, and provide short feedback before leaving the space. 

The primary purpose of any problem-solving method is to generate solutions and then implement them. Be sure to take the opportunity to ensure everyone is aligned and ready to effectively implement the solutions you produced in the workshop.

Remember that every process can be improved and by giving a short moment to collect feedback in the session, you can further refine your problem-solving methods and see further success in the future too.

33. One Breath Feedback

Maintaining attention and focus during the closing stages of a problem-solving workshop can be tricky and so being concise when giving feedback can be important. It’s easy to incur “death by feedback” should some team members go on for too long sharing their perspectives in a quick feedback round. 

One Breath Feedback is a great closing activity for workshops. You give everyone an opportunity to provide feedback on what they’ve done but only in the space of a single breath. This keeps feedback short and to the point and means that everyone is encouraged to provide the most important piece of feedback to them. 

One breath feedback   #closing   #feedback   #action   This is a feedback round in just one breath that excels in maintaining attention: each participants is able to speak during just one breath … for most people that’s around 20 to 25 seconds … unless of course you’ve been a deep sea diver in which case you’ll be able to do it for longer.

34. Who What When Matrix 

Matrices feature as part of many effective problem-solving strategies and with good reason. They are easily recognizable, simple to use, and generate results.

The Who What When Matrix is a great tool to use when closing your problem-solving session by attributing a who, what and when to the actions and solutions you have decided upon. The resulting matrix is a simple, easy-to-follow way of ensuring your team can move forward. 

Great solutions can’t be enacted without action and ownership. Your problem-solving process should include a stage for allocating tasks to individuals or teams and creating a realistic timeframe for those solutions to be implemented or checked out. Use this method to keep the solution implementation process clear and simple for all involved. 

Who/What/When Matrix   #gamestorming   #action   #project planning   With Who/What/When matrix, you can connect people with clear actions they have defined and have committed to.

35. Response cards

Group discussion can comprise the bulk of most problem-solving activities and by the end of the process, you might find that your team is talked out! 

Providing a means for your team to give feedback with short written notes can ensure everyone is head and can contribute without the need to stand up and talk. Depending on the needs of the group, giving an alternative can help ensure everyone can contribute to your problem-solving model in the way that makes the most sense for them.

Response Cards is a great way to close a workshop if you are looking for a gentle warm-down and want to get some swift discussion around some of the feedback that is raised. 

Response Cards   #debriefing   #closing   #structured sharing   #questions and answers   #thiagi   #action   It can be hard to involve everyone during a closing of a session. Some might stay in the background or get unheard because of louder participants. However, with the use of Response Cards, everyone will be involved in providing feedback or clarify questions at the end of a session.

Save time and effort discovering the right solutions

A structured problem solving process is a surefire way of solving tough problems, discovering creative solutions and driving organizational change. But how can you design for successful outcomes?

With SessionLab, it’s easy to design engaging workshops that deliver results. Drag, drop and reorder blocks  to build your agenda. When you make changes or update your agenda, your session  timing   adjusts automatically , saving you time on manual adjustments.

Collaborating with stakeholders or clients? Share your agenda with a single click and collaborate in real-time. No more sending documents back and forth over email.

Explore  how to use SessionLab  to design effective problem solving workshops or  watch this five minute video  to see the planner in action!

Over to you

The problem-solving process can often be as complicated and multifaceted as the problems they are set-up to solve. With the right problem-solving techniques and a mix of creative exercises designed to guide discussion and generate purposeful ideas, we hope we’ve given you the tools to find the best solutions as simply and easily as possible.

Is there a problem-solving technique that you are missing here? Do you have a favorite activity or method you use when facilitating? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you! 

thank you very much for these excellent techniques

Certainly wonderful article, very detailed. Shared!

Your list of techniques for problem solving can be helpfully extended by adding TRIZ to the list of techniques. TRIZ has 40 problem solving techniques derived from methods inventros and patent holders used to get new patents. About 10-12 are general approaches. many organization sponsor classes in TRIZ that are used to solve business problems or general organiztational problems. You can take a look at TRIZ and dwonload a free internet booklet to see if you feel it shound be included per your selection process.

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5 Effective Problem-Solving Strategies

Got a problem you’re trying to solve? Strategies like trial and error, gut instincts, and “working backward” can help. We look at some examples and how to use them.

We all face problems daily. Some are simple, like deciding what to eat for dinner. Others are more complex, like resolving a conflict with a loved one or figuring out how to overcome barriers to your goals.

No matter what problem you’re facing, these five problem-solving strategies can help you develop an effective solution.

What are problem-solving strategies?

To effectively solve a problem, you need a problem-solving strategy .

If you’ve had to make a hard decision before then you know that simply ruminating on the problem isn’t likely to get you anywhere. You need an effective strategy — or a plan of action — to find a solution.

In general, effective problem-solving strategies include the following steps:

• Define the problem.
• Come up with alternative solutions.
• Decide on a solution.
• Implement the solution.

Problem-solving strategies don’t guarantee a solution, but they do help guide you through the process of finding a resolution.

Using problem-solving strategies also has other benefits . For example, having a strategy you can turn to can help you overcome anxiety and distress when you’re first faced with a problem or difficult decision.

The key is to find a problem-solving strategy that works for your specific situation, as well as your personality. One strategy may work well for one type of problem but not another. In addition, some people may prefer certain strategies over others; for example, creative people may prefer to depend on their insights than use algorithms.

It’s important to be equipped with several problem-solving strategies so you use the one that’s most effective for your current situation.

1. Trial and error

One of the most common problem-solving strategies is trial and error. In other words, you try different solutions until you find one that works.

For example, say the problem is that your Wi-Fi isn’t working. You might try different things until it starts working again, like restarting your modem or your devices until you find or resolve the problem. When one solution isn’t successful, you try another until you find what works.

Trial and error can also work for interpersonal problems . For example, if your child always stays up past their bedtime, you might try different solutions — a visual clock to remind them of the time, a reward system, or gentle punishments — to find a solution that works.

2. Heuristics

Sometimes, it’s more effective to solve a problem based on a formula than to try different solutions blindly.

Heuristics are problem-solving strategies or frameworks people use to quickly find an approximate solution. It may not be the optimal solution, but it’s faster than finding the perfect resolution, and it’s “good enough.”

Algorithms or equations are examples of heuristics.

An algorithm is a step-by-step problem-solving strategy based on a formula guaranteed to give you positive results. For example, you might use an algorithm to determine how much food is needed to feed people at a large party.

However, many life problems have no formulaic solution; for example, you may not be able to come up with an algorithm to solve the problem of making amends with your spouse after a fight.

3. Gut instincts (insight problem-solving)

While algorithm-based problem-solving is formulaic, insight problem-solving is the opposite.

When we use insight as a problem-solving strategy we depend on our “gut instincts” or what we know and feel about a situation to come up with a solution. People might describe insight-based solutions to problems as an “aha moment.”

For example, you might face the problem of whether or not to stay in a relationship. The solution to this problem may come as a sudden insight that you need to leave. In insight problem-solving, the cognitive processes that help you solve a problem happen outside your conscious awareness.

4. Working backward

Working backward is a problem-solving approach often taught to help students solve problems in mathematics. However, it’s useful for real-world problems as well.

Working backward is when you start with the solution and “work backward” to figure out how you got to the solution. For example, if you know you need to be at a party by 8 p.m., you might work backward to problem-solve when you must leave the house, when you need to start getting ready, and so on.

5. Means-end analysis

Means-end analysis is a problem-solving strategy that, to put it simply, helps you get from “point A” to “point B” by examining and coming up with solutions to obstacles.

When using means-end analysis you define the current state or situation (where you are now) and the intended goal. Then, you come up with solutions to get from where you are now to where you need to be.

For example, a student might be faced with the problem of how to successfully get through finals season . They haven’t started studying, but their end goal is to pass all of their finals. Using means-end analysis, the student can examine the obstacles that stand between their current state and their end goal (passing their finals).

They could see, for example, that one obstacle is that they get distracted from studying by their friends. They could devise a solution to this obstacle by putting their phone on “do not disturb” mode while studying.

Let’s recap

Whether they’re simple or complex, we’re faced with problems every day. To successfully solve these problems we need an effective strategy. There are many different problem-solving strategies to choose from.

Although problem-solving strategies don’t guarantee a solution, they can help you feel less anxious about problems and make it more likely that you come up with an answer.

Last medically reviewed on November 1, 2022

8 sources collapsed

• Chu Y, et al. (2011). Human performance on insight problem-solving: A review. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1094&context=jps
• Dumper K, et al. (n.d.) Chapter 7.3: Problem-solving in introductory psychology. https://opentext.wsu.edu/psych105/chapter/7-4-problem-solving/
• Foulds LR. (2017). The heuristic problem-solving approach. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1057/jors.1983.205
• Gick ML. (1986). Problem-solving strategies. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00461520.1986.9653026
• Montgomery ME. (2015). Problem solving using means-end analysis. https://sites.psu.edu/psych256sp15/2015/04/19/problem-solving-using-means-end-analysis/
• Posamentier A, et al. (2015). Problem-solving strategies in mathematics. Chapter 3: Working backwards. https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/9789814651646_0003
• Sarathy V. (2018). Real world problem-solving. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00261/full
• Woods D. (2000). An evidence-based strategy for problem solving. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/245332888_An_Evidence-Based_Strategy_for_Problem_Solving

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A guide to problem-solving techniques, steps, and skills

You might associate problem-solving with the math exercises that a seven-year-old would do at school. But problem-solving isn’t just about math — it’s a crucial skill that helps everyone make better decisions in everyday life or work.

Problem-solving involves finding effective solutions to address complex challenges, in any context they may arise.

Unfortunately, structured and systematic problem-solving methods aren’t commonly taught. Instead, when solving a problem, PMs tend to rely heavily on intuition. While for simple issues this might work well, solving a complex problem with a straightforward solution is often ineffective and can even create more problems.

In this article, you’ll learn a framework for approaching problem-solving, alongside how you can improve your problem-solving skills.

The 7 steps to problem-solving

When it comes to problem-solving there are seven key steps that you should follow: define the problem, disaggregate, prioritize problem branches, create an analysis plan, conduct analysis, synthesis, and communication.

1. Define the problem

Problem-solving begins with a clear understanding of the issue at hand. Without a well-defined problem statement, confusion and misunderstandings can hinder progress. It’s crucial to ensure that the problem statement is outcome-focused, specific, measurable whenever possible, and time-bound.

Additionally, aligning the problem definition with relevant stakeholders and decision-makers is essential to ensure efforts are directed towards addressing the actual problem rather than side issues.

2. Disaggregate

Complex issues often require deeper analysis. Instead of tackling the entire problem at once, the next step is to break it down into smaller, more manageable components.

Various types of logic trees (also known as issue trees or decision trees) can be used to break down the problem. At each stage where new branches are created, it’s important for them to be “MECE” – mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive. This process of breaking down continues until manageable components are identified, allowing for individual examination.

The decomposition of the problem demands looking at the problem from various perspectives. That is why collaboration within a team often yields more valuable results, as diverse viewpoints lead to a richer pool of ideas and solutions.

3. Prioritize problem branches

The next step involves prioritization. Not all branches of the problem tree have the same impact, so it’s important to understand the significance of each and focus attention on the most impactful areas. Prioritizing helps streamline efforts and minimize the time required to solve the problem.

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4. Create an analysis plan

For prioritized components, you may need to conduct in-depth analysis. Before proceeding, a work plan is created for data gathering and analysis. If work is conducted within a team, having a plan provides guidance on what needs to be achieved, who is responsible for which tasks, and the timelines involved.

5. Conduct analysis

Data gathering and analysis are central to the problem-solving process. It’s a good practice to set time limits for this phase to prevent excessive time spent on perfecting details. You can employ heuristics and rule-of-thumb reasoning to improve efficiency and direct efforts towards the most impactful work.

6. Synthesis

After each individual branch component has been researched, the problem isn’t solved yet. The next step is synthesizing the data logically to address the initial question. The synthesis process and the logical relationship between the individual branch results depend on the logic tree used.

7. Communication

The last step is communicating the story and the solution of the problem to the stakeholders and decision-makers. Clear effective communication is necessary to build trust in the solution and facilitates understanding among all parties involved. It ensures that stakeholders grasp the intricacies of the problem and the proposed solution, leading to informed decision-making.

Exploring problem-solving in various contexts

While problem-solving has traditionally been associated with fields like engineering and science, today it has become a fundamental skill for individuals across all professions. In fact, problem-solving consistently ranks as one of the top skills required by employers.

Problem-solving techniques can be applied in diverse contexts:

• Individuals — What career path should I choose? Where should I live? These are examples of simple and common personal challenges that require effective problem-solving skills
• Organizations — Businesses also face many decisions that are not trivial to answer. Should we expand into new markets this year? How can we enhance the quality of our product development? Will our office accommodate the upcoming year’s growth in terms of capacity?
• Societal issues — The biggest world challenges are also complex problems that can be addressed with the same technique. How can we minimize the impact of climate change? How do we fight cancer?

Despite the variation in domains and contexts, the fundamental approach to solving these questions remains the same. It starts with gaining a clear understanding of the problem, followed by decomposition, conducting analysis of the decomposed branches, and synthesizing it into a result that answers the initial problem.

Real-world examples of problem-solving

Let’s now explore some examples where we can apply the problem solving framework.

Problem: In the production of electronic devices, you observe an increasing number of defects. How can you reduce the error rate and improve the quality?

Before delving into analysis, you can deprioritize branches that you already have information for or ones you deem less important. For instance, while transportation delays may occur, the resulting material degradation is likely negligible. For other branches, additional research and data gathering may be necessary.

Once results are obtained, synthesis is crucial to address the core question: How can you decrease the defect rate?

While all factors listed may play a role, their significance varies. Your task is to prioritize effectively. Through data analysis, you may discover that altering the equipment would bring the most substantial positive outcome. However, executing a solution isn’t always straightforward. In prioritizing, you should consider both the potential impact and the level of effort needed for implementation.

By evaluating impact and effort, you can systematically prioritize areas for improvement, focusing on those with high impact and requiring minimal effort to address. This approach ensures efficient allocation of resources towards improvements that offer the greatest return on investment.

Problem : What should be my next job role?

When breaking down this problem, you need to consider various factors that are important for your future happiness in the role. This includes aspects like the company culture, our interest in the work itself, and the lifestyle that you can afford with the role.

However, not all factors carry the same weight for us. To make sense of the results, we can assign a weight factor to each branch. For instance, passion for the job role may have a weight factor of 1, while interest in the industry may have a weight factor of 0.5, because that is less important for you.

By applying these weights to a specific role and summing the values, you can have an estimate of how suitable that role is for you. Moreover, you can compare two roles and make an informed decision based on these weighted indicators.

Key problem-solving skills

This framework provides the foundation and guidance needed to effectively solve problems. However, successfully applying this framework requires the following:

• Creativity — During the decomposition phase, it’s essential to approach the problem from various perspectives and think outside the box to generate innovative ideas for breaking down the problem tree
• Decision-making — Throughout the process, decisions must be made, even when full confidence is lacking. Employing rules of thumb to simplify analysis or selecting one tree cut over another requires decisiveness and comfort with choices made
• Analytical skills — Analytical and research skills are necessary for the phase following decomposition, involving data gathering and analysis on selected tree branches
• Teamwork — Collaboration and teamwork are crucial when working within a team setting. Solving problems effectively often requires collective effort and shared responsibility
• Communication — Clear and structured communication is essential to convey the problem solution to stakeholders and decision-makers and build trust

How to enhance your problem-solving skills

Problem-solving requires practice and a certain mindset. The more you practice, the easier it becomes. Here are some strategies to enhance your skills:

• Practice structured thinking in your daily life — Break down problems or questions into manageable parts. You don’t need to go through the entire problem-solving process and conduct detailed analysis. When conveying a message, simplify the conversation by breaking the message into smaller, more understandable segments
• Regularly challenging yourself with games and puzzles — Solving puzzles, riddles, or strategy games can boost your problem-solving skills and cognitive agility.
• Engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints — Conversing with people who offer different perspectives provides fresh insights and alternative solutions to problems. This boosts creativity and helps in approaching challenges from new angles

Final thoughts

Problem-solving extends far beyond mathematics or scientific fields; it’s a critical skill for making informed decisions in every area of life and work. The seven-step framework presented here provides a systematic approach to problem-solving, relevant across various domains.

Now, consider this: What’s one question currently on your mind? Grab a piece of paper and try to apply the problem-solving framework. You might uncover fresh insights you hadn’t considered before.

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7 Problem-Solving Skills That Can Help You Be a More Successful Manager

Discover what problem-solving is, and why it's important for managers. Understand the steps of the process and learn about seven problem-solving skills.

1Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a particular department, and sometimes a whole company, using their problem-solving skills regularly. Managers with good problem-solving skills can help ensure companies run smoothly and prosper.

If you're a current manager or are striving to become one, read this guide to discover what problem-solving skills are and why it's important for managers to have them. Learn the steps of the problem-solving process, and explore seven skills that can help make problem-solving easier and more effective.

What is problem-solving?

Problem-solving is both an ability and a process. As an ability, problem-solving can aid in resolving issues faced in different environments like home, school, abroad, and social situations, among others. As a process, problem-solving involves a series of steps for finding solutions to questions or concerns that arise throughout life.

The importance of problem-solving for managers

Managers deal with problems regularly, whether supervising a staff of two or 100. When people solve problems quickly and effectively, workplaces can benefit in a number of ways. These include:

Greater creativity

Higher productivity

Increased job fulfillment

Satisfied clients or customers

Better cooperation and cohesion

Improved environments for employees and customers

7 skills that make problem-solving easier

Companies depend on managers who can solve problems adeptly. Although problem-solving is a skill in its own right, a subset of seven skills can help make the process of problem-solving easier. These include analysis, communication, emotional intelligence, resilience, creativity, adaptability, and teamwork.

1. Analysis

As a manager , you'll solve each problem by assessing the situation first. Then, you’ll use analytical skills to distinguish between ineffective and effective solutions.

2. Communication

Effective communication plays a significant role in problem-solving, particularly when others are involved. Some skills that can help enhance communication at work include active listening, speaking with an even tone and volume, and supporting verbal information with written communication.

3. Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage emotions in any situation. People with emotional intelligence usually solve problems calmly and systematically, which often yields better results.

4. Resilience

Emotional intelligence and resilience are closely related traits. Resiliency is the ability to cope with and bounce back quickly from difficult situations. Those who possess resilience are often capable of accurately interpreting people and situations, which can be incredibly advantageous when difficulties arise.

5. Creativity 

When brainstorming solutions to problems, creativity can help you to think outside the box. Problem-solving strategies can be enhanced with the application of creative techniques. You can use creativity to:

Approach problems from different angles

Improve your problem-solving process

Spark creativity in your employees and peers

6. Adaptability

Adaptability is the capacity to adjust to change. When a particular solution to an issue doesn't work, an adaptable person can revisit the concern to think up another one without getting frustrated.

7. Teamwork

Finding a solution to a problem regularly involves working in a team. Good teamwork requires being comfortable working with others and collaborating with them, which can result in better problem-solving overall.

Steps of the problem-solving process

Effective problem-solving involves five essential steps. One way to remember them is through the IDEAL model created in 1984 by psychology professors John D. Bransford and Barry S. Stein [ 1 ]. The steps to solving problems in this model include: identifying that there is a problem, defining the goals you hope to achieve, exploring potential solutions, choosing a solution and acting on it, and looking at (or evaluating) the outcome.

1. Identify that there is a problem and root out its cause.

To solve a problem, you must first admit that one exists to then find its root cause. Finding the cause of the problem may involve asking questions like:

Can the problem be solved?

How big of a problem is it?

Why do I think the problem is occurring?

What are some things I know about the situation?

What are some things I don't know about the situation?

Are there any people who contributed to the problem?

Are there materials or processes that contributed to the problem?

Are there any patterns I can identify?

2. Define the goals you hope to achieve.

Every problem is different. The goals you hope to achieve when problem-solving depend on the scope of the problem. Some examples of goals you might set include:

Gather as much factual information as possible.

Brainstorm many different strategies to come up with the best one.

Be flexible when considering other viewpoints.

Articulate clearly and encourage questions, so everyone involved is on the same page.

Be open to other strategies if the chosen strategy doesn't work.

Stay positive throughout the process.

3. Explore potential solutions.

Once you've defined the goals you hope to achieve when problem-solving , it's time to start the process. This involves steps that often include fact-finding, brainstorming, prioritizing solutions, and assessing the cost of top solutions in terms of time, labor, and money.

4. Choose a solution and act on it.

Evaluate the pros and cons of each potential solution, and choose the one most likely to solve the problem within your given budget, abilities, and resources. Once you choose a solution, it's important to make a commitment and see it through. Draw up a plan of action for implementation, and share it with all involved parties clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing. Make sure everyone understands their role for a successful conclusion.

5. Look at (or evaluate) the outcome.

Evaluation offers insights into your current situation and future problem-solving. When evaluating the outcome, ask yourself questions like:

Did the solution work?

Will this solution work for other problems?

Were there any changes you would have made?

Would another solution have worked better?

As a current or future manager looking to build your problem-solving skills, it is often helpful to take a professional course. Consider Improving Communication Skills offered by the University of Pennsylvania on Coursera. You'll learn how to boost your ability to persuade, ask questions, negotiate, apologize, and more. 

You might also consider taking Emotional Intelligence: Cultivating Immensely Human Interactions , offered by the University of Michigan on Coursera. You'll explore the interpersonal and intrapersonal skills common to people with emotional intelligence, and you'll learn how emotional intelligence is connected to team success and leadership.

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Article sources

Tennessee Tech. “ The Ideal Problem Solver (2nd ed.) , https://www.tntech.edu/cat/pdf/useful_links/idealproblemsolver.pdf.” Accessed December 6, 2022.

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How to analyze a problem

May 7, 2023 Companies that harness the power of data have the upper hand when it comes to problem solving. Rather than defaulting to solving problems by developing lengthy—sometimes multiyear—road maps, they’re empowered to ask how innovative data techniques could resolve challenges in hours, days or weeks, write  senior partner Kayvaun Rowshankish  and coauthors. But when organizations have more data than ever at their disposal, which data should they leverage to analyze a problem? Before jumping in, it’s crucial to plan the analysis, decide which analytical tools to use, and ensure rigor. Check out these insights to uncover ways data can take your problem-solving techniques to the next level, and stay tuned for an upcoming post on the potential power of generative AI in problem-solving.

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Exploring the Elements: Analysis & Problem Solving

Analysis & problem solving are necessary to navigate everyday life, especially in a world of echo-chambers and #fakenews . through analysis, we seek to fully understand issues and uncover potential solutions. so keep reading for insights into how these skills can be developed…, what is analysis & problem solving and why is it important .

Analysis and Problem Solving is the ability to critically evaluate data and use judgement to work through issues. It involves spotting connections between data. And essentially, involves seeing and actioning solutions effectively.

Firstly, Analysis is about being objective. And looking for evidence to support the conclusions we reach. Ultimately to improve judgement. And good analysis helps us to keep in check important cognitive shortcuts that can often impair our judgements– our biases.

We all have biases. When left unmanaged, biases are very problematic. One common bias, the Halo Effect , leads us to amplify the positive aspects of people. For example, thinking because a person is attractive, they’ll automatically be a good person. By building an analytical mindset, we can manage our biases, make better decisions and effectively solve problems.

The goal is to problem-solve on the basis of objective evidence, not sentiment. Emotions and biases cloud our judgement. So it’s essential to probe the evidence, determine what’s fact from fiction. Good analysis helps us to do this.

When starting out

At the outset of your career, you’re likely to be given tasks or problems to solve. A good determinant of how successful you’ll be in problem solving or delivering tasks is your ability to conduct strong analysis.

Naturally, over time, the problems you’ll deal with will become increasingly complex. So, it’s good to get in the habit of conducting thorough, evidence-based analysis early on.

First, focus on identifying relevant information. Is there data, facts, evidence available to help you analyse? Be careful too, it’s easy to waste time with interesting yet ultimately irrelevant data.

During this time, you’ll be getting to grips with the role, workplace and your colleagues. So you’ll have all sorts of information to handle. This makes it even more important to focus on what really matters to the task at hand.

Ask questions for a better understanding of what you’re trying to solve. Seek others’ views and opinions. This is important for ensuring others trust and engage with you. But your priority should be on building a picture of problems, built of evidence and data.

Test assumptions to decipher and challenge the myths. In a world of fake news, critical thinking is integral to analysis and problem solving. Sometimes can be as simple as reviewing problems again after a break. Ask yourself:  what am I assuming here? What is really going? W hat might I have missed before?

Exercise lateral thinking. Think outside the box and to look at problems from different perspectives. For example, if you’re a product designer it’s effective to interact with product from the perspective of users, suppliers and distributors.

Beware of  overconfidence . Both your own and that of others. Don’t just expect your managers or seniors to be correct, examine the source of data. Also, get a handle on the different types of biases that hinder  analysis . Think about which biases you might be prone to.

Essentially, it’s about having your research hat on. So stay alert and conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis as appropriate. Try testing yourself to build your capacity for spotting trends and patterns in complex problems. Logical or abstract reasoning tests can be a great one to start with.

Analysis and Problem Solving on your way up

So as you gain more experience in dealing with analysis, you’ll become better at problem-solving. Often the more senior your role is means the more responsibility you have, thus more potential problems.

With experience, you’ll start to more routinely tune-in to the workplace. Y ou’ll be aware of issues brewing beneath the surface, like office politics. And you will analyse and navigate underlying issues like this when problem-solving.

By its very nature, you’re dealing with more data, more information, more stakeholders and more pressure. So your ability to analyse despite additional distractions is truly put to the test. However, you may now have the opportunity to delegate tasks.

And if the option of help is there – grab it with both hands! The variety of information you’re dealing with grows with increasing responsibility. It’s easy to think you can continue to effectively analyse as you once did with a more focused workload, but don’t be fooled. We all have limits. We have to prioritise our attention. Pick what and when we analyse.

As you take more of a lead on problems, help others to think critically. Point out the evidence, data or facts underpinning your judgements. And ask them to critically evaluate them too.

More and more, leaders will want to see depth in your analysis and evidence that your ideas are future-proofed. They’ll ask to see the business case for any recommendations you make. So prioritise building strong rationale in business cases and focus on testing assumptions and iterating your solutions. Build prototypes or minimal viable products (MVPs) to truly stress test your ideas or judgements.

Develop a process for problem solving. Try to implement systems to seek, analyse, formulate solutions and evaluate outcomes. Building loops like this can help create habits and make analysis more seamless.

You could use tools to appraise data quickly. Or you can work with specialists in evaluating big data. In the future we’ll be using more tools to analyse complex and diverse data. So get ahead of the curb, by building you capacity for interpreting data now.

Leading in Analysis and Problem Solving

No matter what career stage you’re at, there will be problems to solve. This is especially the case when you’re in a position of leadership. A good leader is both demonstrator and facilitator of strong analysis and problem-solving skills.

At this stage you’ll likely be responsible for the management of a team and the big picture of the organisation.  Ultimately, you’ll need to lead by example and set the tone for your team when problem-solving.

Leaders are expected to be decisive. And good decisions are made by harnessing the power of an analytical mindset to collect and decipher data and information. No knee-jerk reactions, but thoughtful and strategic responses. Here are some pointers on how you can do this:

Use patterns and trends to uncover longer term opportunities and draw potential conclusions. This could relate to commercial thinking when looking for financially beneficial opportunities.

Recognise and respond strategically to the pressures faced by your people. Engage with your team and look at how you can improve processes, wellbeing and overall productivity.

Consistently build and review your awareness of new technologies shaping the way things might be done in the future. Stay in the know and beware of the fads. It’s about choosing what is best to pursue.

Increase your awareness and use of Systems Thinking . Identify the links between different tasks and functions. Then evaluate on the basis of seeing things in a system, rather than treating issues in isolation.

Say what you think. Share your thought-process openly. Be a thought-leader, create an open space for sharing thoughts and your team will contribute. This ultimately increases potential collaboration, empowers the team and teases out team-working issues.

From analysing the situation to solving it

Whatever walk of life or occupation, your chances of success will improve along with your capacity for analysis and problem solving. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been around for a while, these skills are needed at every stage.

And analysis is important in our interpersonal interactions, as it is for regular tasks. There are always instances where you might need to read between the lines of what someone is saying. And to identify what’s really going on, beneath the conversation’s surface.

Additionally, the more hands-on experience we have with problems, the better we’ll be at finding solutions. So maybe we should schedule some time for ‘brain-training’ exercises like Sudoku? Although there isn’t any conclusive evidence to suggest games like Sudoku substantially improve our problem-solving abilities, the regular exposure to problems tests us and builds confidence.

So if you’re looking to build up your analysis and problem solving skills, set up a  spotlight  on the  WiseAmigo app . Doing this will help you stay on track with your development, and get inspired along the way.

And once you’ve nailed Analysis and Problem Solving, you’ll be in a better place to think strategically, commercially and manage conflict better too.

“Analysis is the art of creation through destruction.”  

― p.s. baber, cassie draws the universe..

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50 Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Examples

Critical thinking and problem solving are essential skills for success in the 21st century. Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information, evaluate evidence, and draw logical conclusions. Problem solving is the ability to apply critical thinking to find effective solutions to various challenges. Both skills require creativity, curiosity, and persistence. Developing critical thinking and problem solving skills can help students improve their academic performance, enhance their career prospects, and become more informed and engaged citizens.

Sanju Pradeepa

In today’s complex and fast-paced world, the ability to think critically and solve problems effectively has become a vital skill for success in all areas of life. Whether it’s navigating professional challenges, making sound decisions, or finding innovative solutions, critical thinking and problem-solving are key to overcoming obstacles and achieving desired outcomes. In this blog post, we will explore problem-solving and critical thinking examples.

Table of Contents

Developing the skills needed for critical thinking and problem solving.

It is not enough to simply recognize an issue; we must use the right tools and techniques to address it. To do this, we must learn how to define and identify the problem or task at hand, gather relevant information from reliable sources, analyze and compare data to draw conclusions, make logical connections between different ideas, generate a solution or action plan, and make a recommendation.

The first step in developing these skills is understanding what the problem or task is that needs to be addressed. This requires careful consideration of all available information in order to form an accurate picture of what needs to be done. Once the issue has been identified, gathering reliable sources of data can help further your understanding of it. Sources could include interviews with customers or stakeholders, surveys, industry reports, and analysis of customer feedback.

After collecting relevant information from reliable sources, it’s important to analyze and compare the data in order to draw meaningful conclusions about the situation at hand. This helps us better understand our options for addressing an issue by providing context for decision-making. Once you have analyzed the data you collected, making logical connections between different ideas can help you form a more complete picture of the situation and inform your potential solutions.

Once you have analyzed your options for addressing an issue based on all available data points, it’s time to generate a solution or action plan that takes into account considerations such as cost-effectiveness and feasibility. It’s also important to consider the risk factors associated with any proposed solutions in order to ensure that they are responsible before moving forward with implementation. Finally, once all the analysis has been completed, it is time to make a recommendation based on your findings, which should take into account any objectives set out by stakeholders at the beginning of this process as well as any other pertinent factors discovered throughout the analysis stage.

By following these steps carefully when faced with complex issues, one can effectively use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in order to achieve desired outcomes more efficiently than would otherwise be possible without them, while also taking responsibility for decisions made along the way.

What Does Critical Thinking Involve: 5 Essential Skill

Problem-solving and critical thinking examples.

Problem-solving and critical thinking are key skills that are highly valued in any professional setting. These skills enable individuals to analyze complex situations, make informed decisions, and find innovative solutions. Here, we present 25 examples of problem-solving and critical thinking. problem-solving scenarios to help you cultivate and enhance these skills.

Ethical dilemma: A company faces a situation where a client asks for a product that does not meet quality standards. The team must decide how to address the client’s request without compromising the company’s credibility or values.

Brainstorming session: A team needs to come up with new ideas for a marketing campaign targeting a specific demographic. Through an organized brainstorming session, they explore various approaches and analyze their potential impact.

Troubleshooting technical issues : An IT professional receives a ticket indicating a network outage. They analyze the issue, assess potential causes (hardware, software, or connectivity), and solve the problem efficiently.

Negotiation : During contract negotiations, representatives from two companies must find common ground to strike a mutually beneficial agreement, considering the needs and limitations of both parties.

Project management: A project manager identifies potential risks and develops contingency plans to address unforeseen obstacles, ensuring the project stays on track.

Decision-making under pressure: In a high-stakes situation, a medical professional must make a critical decision regarding a patient’s treatment, weighing all available information and considering potential risks.

Conflict resolution: A team encounters conflicts due to differing opinions or approaches. The team leader facilitates a discussion to reach a consensus while considering everyone’s perspectives.

Data analysis: A data scientist is presented with a large dataset and is tasked with extracting valuable insights. They apply analytical techniques to identify trends, correlations, and patterns that can inform decision-making.

Customer service: A customer service representative encounters a challenging customer complaint and must employ active listening and problem-solving skills to address the issue and provide a satisfactory resolution.

Market research : A business seeks to expand into a new market. They conduct thorough market research, analyzing consumer behavior, competitor strategies, and economic factors to make informed market-entry decisions.

Creative problem-solvin g: An engineer faces a design challenge and must think outside the box to come up with a unique and innovative solution that meets project requirements.

Change management: During a company-wide transition, managers must effectively communicate the change, address employees’ concerns, and facilitate a smooth transition process.

Crisis management: When a company faces a public relations crisis, effective critical thinking is necessary to analyze the situation, develop a response strategy, and minimize potential damage to the company’s reputation.

Cost optimization : A financial analyst identifies areas where expenses can be reduced while maintaining operational efficiency, presenting recommendations for cost savings.

Time management : An employee has multiple deadlines to meet. They assess the priority of each task, develop a plan, and allocate time accordingly to achieve optimal productivity.

Quality control: A production manager detects an increase in product defects and investigates the root causes, implementing corrective actions to enhance product quality.

Strategic planning: An executive team engages in strategic planning to define long-term goals, assess market trends, and identify growth opportunities.

Cross-functional collaboration: Multiple teams with different areas of expertise must collaborate to develop a comprehensive solution, combining their knowledge and skills.

Training and development : A manager identifies skill gaps in their team and designs training programs to enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

Risk assessment : A risk management professional evaluates potential risks associated with a new business venture, weighing their potential impact and developing strategies to mitigate them.

Continuous improvement: An operations manager analyzes existing processes, identifies inefficiencies, and introduces improvements to enhance productivity and customer satisfaction.

Customer needs analysis: A product development team conducts extensive research to understand customer needs and preferences, ensuring that the resulting product meets those requirements.

Crisis decision-making: A team dealing with a crisis must think quickly, assess the situation, and make timely decisions with limited information.

Marketing campaign analysis : A marketing team evaluates the success of a recent campaign, analyzing key performance indicators to understand its impact on sales and customer engagement.

Constructive feedback: A supervisor provides feedback to an employee, highlighting areas for improvement and offering constructive suggestions for growth.

Conflict resolution in a team project: Team members engaged in a project have conflicting ideas on the approach. They must engage in open dialogue, actively listen to each other’s perspectives, and reach a compromise that aligns with the project’s goals.

Crisis response in a natural disaster: Emergency responders must think critically and swiftly in responding to a natural disaster, coordinating rescue efforts, allocating resources effectively, and prioritizing the needs of affected individuals.

Product innovation : A product development team conducts market research, studies consumer trends, and uses critical thinking to create innovative products that address unmet customer needs.

Supply chain optimization: A logistics manager analyzes the supply chain to identify areas for efficiency improvement, such as reducing transportation costs, improving inventory management, or streamlining order fulfillment processes.

Business strategy formulation: A business executive assesses market dynamics, the competitive landscape, and internal capabilities to develop a robust business strategy that ensures sustainable growth and competitiveness.

Crisis communication: In the face of a public relations crisis, an organization’s spokesperson must think critically to develop and deliver a transparent, authentic, and effective communication strategy to rebuild trust and manage reputation.

Social problem-solving: A group of volunteers addresses a specific social issue, such as poverty or homelessness, by critically examining its root causes, collaborating with stakeholders, and implementing sustainable solutions for the affected population.

Problem-Solving Mindset: How to Achieve It (15 Ways)

Risk assessment in investment decision-making: An investment analyst evaluates various investment opportunities, conducting risk assessments based on market trends, financial indicators, and potential regulatory changes to make informed investment recommendations.

Environmental sustainability: An environmental scientist analyzes the impact of industrial processes on the environment, develops strategies to mitigate risks, and promotes sustainable practices within organizations and communities.

Adaptation to technological advancements : In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, professionals need critical thinking skills to adapt to new tools, software, and systems, ensuring they can effectively leverage these advancements to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Productivity improvement: An operations manager leverages critical thinking to identify productivity bottlenecks within a workflow and implement process improvements to optimize resource utilization, minimize waste, and increase overall efficiency.

Cost-benefit analysis: An organization considering a major investment or expansion opportunity conducts a thorough cost-benefit analysis, weighing potential costs against expected benefits to make an informed decision.

Human resources management : HR professionals utilize critical thinking to assess job applicants, identify skill gaps within the organization, and design training and development programs to enhance the workforce’s capabilities.

Root cause analysis: In response to a recurring problem or inefficiency, professionals apply critical thinking to identify the root cause of the issue, develop remedial actions, and prevent future occurrences.

Leadership development: Aspiring leaders undergo critical thinking exercises to enhance their decision-making abilities, develop strategic thinking skills, and foster a culture of innovation within their teams.

Brand positioning : Marketers conduct comprehensive market research and consumer behavior analysis to strategically position a brand, differentiating it from competitors and appealing to target audiences effectively.

Resource allocation: Non-profit organizations distribute limited resources efficiently, critically evaluating project proposals, considering social impact, and allocating resources to initiatives that align with their mission.

Innovating in a mature market: A company operating in a mature market seeks to innovate to maintain a competitive edge. They cultivate critical thinking skills to identify gaps, anticipate changing customer needs, and develop new strategies, products, or services accordingly.

Analyzing financial statements : Financial analysts critically assess financial statements, analyze key performance indicators, and derive insights to support financial decision-making, such as investment evaluations or budget planning.

Crisis intervention : Mental health professionals employ critical thinking and problem-solving to assess crises faced by individuals or communities, develop intervention plans, and provide support during challenging times.

Data privacy and cybersecurity : IT professionals critically evaluate existing cybersecurity measures, identify vulnerabilities, and develop strategies to protect sensitive data from threats, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.

Process improvement : Professionals in manufacturing or service industries critically evaluate existing processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement improvements to optimize efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Multi-channel marketing strategy : Marketers employ critical thinking to design and execute effective marketing campaigns across various channels such as social media, web, print, and television, ensuring a cohesive brand experience for customers.

Peer review: Researchers critically analyze and review the work of their peers, providing constructive feedback and ensuring the accuracy, validity, and reliability of scientific studies.

Project coordination : A project manager must coordinate multiple teams and resources to ensure seamless collaboration, identify potential bottlenecks, and find solutions to keep the project on schedule.  

These examples highlight the various contexts in which problem-solving and critical-thinking skills are necessary for success. By understanding and practicing these skills, individuals can enhance their ability to navigate challenges and make sound decisions in both personal and professional endeavors.

Conclusion:

Critical thinking and problem-solving are indispensable skills that empower individuals to overcome challenges, make sound decisions, and find innovative solutions. By honing these skills, one can navigate through the complexities of modern life and achieve success in both personal and professional endeavors. Embrace the power of critical thinking and problem-solving, and unlock the door to endless possibilities and growth.

• Problem solving From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Critical thinking From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• The Importance of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills for Students (5 Minutes)

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The Steps For Analyzing Problems

Physicist Albert Einstein once said, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” He…

Physicist Albert Einstein once said, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”

He meant that it is useful to spend time learning more about a problem before jumping to conclusions. Solving problems is about finding the most effective resolution optimally. The right approach helps us move forward.

An effective problem-solver spends the majority of their time evaluating what went wrong and how before declaring answers. If you’re faced with a problem at work, for instance, thinking clearly about the problem and processing all the information will help you make the right decision.

Let’s discuss how you can analyze problems like an expert with a series of problem analysis steps. These steps are based on the five characteristics of good analysis that you can learn more about in Harappa’s Creating Solutions course.

Problem Analysis Steps And Process

Problem-solving isn’t rocket science; experience will make it easier for you to analyze problems. Practice these problem analysis steps to find the right solution.

Understand your problem

If you don’t know what you’re solving for, it’ll be hard to find the right solution. The first step in analysis and problem-solving is to understand your problem. Once you define the problem in simple terms, you can move on to assessing what you need for the solution. Many times, we end up looking for solutions to problems that don’t exist in the first place. For instance, one may end up evaluating customer feedback for the wrong product. Identifying and then addressing the source of the problem is critical to this process.

Gather relevant data

Once you’ve identified the problem, it’s time to gather all the information you need to start your analysis.

Let’s take a problem analysis example. Imagine you’re the head of the sales team. Your responsibilities include making sales projections and gathering data based on customer preferences and product reviews. Now, to navigate this step, you should be detail-oriented and get the correct data. Collate the data and run the numbers multiple times to ensure there are no errors.

Make sound assumptions

There may be some gaps even after you’ve gathered the relevant data and information. This is where you have to make sound assumptions to ensure you can connect everything.

For instance, you may only have a vague idea about the success of your new proposal. Simply saying it’s good or bad might not work. You need to have proper metrics against which you can measure success. Making sound assumptions will help you avoid abstract projections. Perform as many calculations and assessments as you can to reach a viable solution.

Prioritize important tasks

More often than not, we’re handling multiple tasks at the same time. Making a list of things you need to complete and prioritizing them based on urgency is helpful. You’ll save a lot of time that can be utilized for other things that need your attention.

For instance, say that you have a couple of critical assignments due on a particular day. There is also a meeting on your calendar on that day. In the circumstances, if your meeting agenda doesn’t concern a pressing issue, it might make sense to reschedule it for another day. This will give you more time to focus on meeting the deadline for your assignments.  Stay on top of things by organizing your schedule efficiently.

Implement and monitor

If you’ve analyzed the information and evaluated your options, go ahead with the implementation. This is where you’ll finally see your plan in action. Assess whether or not it is working as expected. Sometimes, a solution looks good on paper but doesn’t work out in real life. Analysis and problem-solving can be fine-tuned by consistent monitoring of your solution’s efficacy. Use this time to make any changes, tweaks, and fixes to mitigate errors.

How you analyze problems determines the way you handle a work crisis. If you’re a skilled problem-solver, you can tackle any challenge with poise. Learn more about this important work-related skill with Harappa Education’s Creating Solutions course. You’ll learn different ways to analyze problems effectively, the importance of the ‘why question’, and how to communicate solutions to key stakeholders. To find the most appropriate solution, approach any problem analytically and with an open mind.

Explore topics such as  Problem Solving , the  PICK Chart ,  How to Solve Problems  & the  Barriers to Problem Solving  from our Harappa Diaries blog section and develop your skills.

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What are analytical skills? Examples and how to level up

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What are analytical skills?

Why are analytical skills important, 9 analytical skills examples, how to improve analytical skills, how to show analytical skills in a job application, the benefits of an analytical mind.

With market forecasts, performance metrics, and KPIs, work throws a lot of information at you. 

If you want to stay ahead of the curve, not only do you have to make sense of the data that comes your way — you need to put it to good use. And that requires analytical skills.

You likely use analytical thinking skills every day without realizing it, like when you solve complex problems or prioritize tasks . But understanding the meaning of analysis skills in a job description, why you should include them in your professional development plan, and what makes them vital to every position can help advance your career.

Analytical skills, or analysis skills, are the ones you use to research and interpret information. Although you might associate them with data analysis, they help you think critically about an issue, make decisions , and solve problems in any context. That means anytime you’re brainstorming for a solution or reviewing a project that didn’t go smoothly, you’re analyzing information to find a conclusion. With so many applications, they’re relevant for nearly every job, making them a must-have on your resume.

Analytical skills help you think objectively about information and come to informed conclusions. Positions that consider these skills the most essential qualification grew by 92% between 1980 and 2018 , which shows just how in-demand they are. And according to Statista, global data creation will grow to more than 180 zettabytes by 2025 — a number with 21 zeros. That data informs every industry, from tech to marketing.

Even if you don’t interact with statistics and data on the job, you still need analytical skills to be successful. They’re incredibly valuable because:

• They’re transferable: You can use analysis skills in a variety of professional contexts and in different areas of your life, like making major decisions as a family or setting better long-term personal goals.
• They build agility: Whether you’re starting a new position or experiencing a workplace shift, analysis helps you understand and adapt quickly to changing conditions. 
• They foster innovation: Analytical skills can help you troubleshoot processes or operational improvements that increase productivity and profitability.
• They make you an attractive candidate: Companies are always looking for future leaders who can build company value. Developing a strong analytical skill set shows potential employers that you’re an intelligent, growth-oriented candidate.

If the thought of evaluating data feels unintuitive, or if math and statistics aren’t your strong suits, don’t stress. Many examples of analytical thinking skills don’t involve numbers. You can build your logic and analysis abilities through a variety of capacities, such as:

1. Brainstorming

Using the information in front of you to generate new ideas is a valuable transferable skill that helps you innovate at work . Developing your brainstorming techniques leads to better collaboration and organizational growth, whether you’re thinking of team bonding activities or troubleshooting a project roadblock. Related skills include benchmarking, diagnosis, and judgment to adequately assess situations and find solutions.

2. Communication

Becoming proficient at analysis is one thing, but you should also know how to communicate your findings to your audience — especially if they don’t have the same context or experience as you. Strong communication skills like public speaking , active listening , and storytelling can help you strategize the best ways to get the message out and collaborate with your team . And thinking critically about how to approach difficult conversations or persuade someone to see your point relies on these skills. 

3. Creativity

You might not associate analysis with your creativity skills, but if you want to find an innovative approach to an age-old problem, you’ll need to combine data with creative thinking . This can help you establish effective metrics, spot trends others miss, and see why the most obvious answer to a problem isn’t always the best. Skills that can help you to think outside the box include strategic planning, collaboration, and integration.

4. Critical thinking

Processing information and determining what’s valuable requires critical thinking skills . They help you avoid the cognitive biases that prevent innovation and growth, allowing you to see things as they really are and understand their relevance. Essential skills to turn yourself into a critical thinker are comparative analysis, business intelligence, and inference.

5. Data analytics

When it comes to large volumes of information, a skilled analytical thinker can sort the beneficial from the irrelevant. Data skills give you the tools to identify trends and patterns and visualize outcomes before they impact an organization or project’s performance. Some of the most common skills you can develop are prescriptive analysis and return on investment (ROI) analysis.

6. Forecasting

Predicting future business, market, and cultural trends better positions your organization to take advantage of new opportunities or prepare for downturns. Business forecasting requires a mix of research skills and predictive abilities, like statistical analysis and data visualization, and the ability to present your findings clearly.

7. Logical reasoning

Becoming a logical thinker means learning to observe and analyze situations to draw rational and objective conclusions. With logic, you can evaluate available facts, identify patterns or correlations, and use them to improve decision-making outcomes. If you’re looking to improve in this area, consider developing inductive and deductive reasoning skills.

8. Problem-solving

Problem-solving appears in all facets of your life — not just work. Effectively finding solutions to any issue takes analysis and logic, and you also need to take initiative with clear action plans . To improve your problem-solving skills , invest in developing visualization , collaboration, and goal-setting skills.

9. Research

Knowing how to locate information is just as valuable as understanding what to do with it. With research skills, you’ll recognize and collect data relevant to the problem you’re trying to solve or the initiative you’re trying to start. You can improve these skills by learning about data collection techniques, accuracy evaluation, and metrics.

You don’t need to earn a degree in data science to develop these skills. All it takes is time, practice, and commitment. Everything from work experience to hobbies can help you learn new things and make progress. Try a few of these ideas and stick with the ones you enjoy:

1. Document your skill set

The next time you encounter a problem and need to find solutions, take time to assess your process. Ask yourself:

• What facts are you considering?
• Do you ask for help or research on your own? What are your sources of advice?
• What does your brainstorming process look like?
• How do you make and execute a final decision?
• Do you reflect on the outcomes of your choices to identify lessons and opportunities for improvement?
• Are there any mistakes you find yourself making repeatedly?
• What problems do you constantly solve easily? 

These questions can give insight into your analytical strengths and weaknesses and point you toward opportunities for growth.

2. Take courses

Many online and in-person courses can expand your logical thinking and analysis skills. They don’t necessarily have to involve information sciences. Just choose something that trains your brain and fills in your skills gaps . 

Consider studying philosophy to learn how to develop your arguments or public speaking to better communicate the results of your research. You could also work on your hard skills with tools like Microsoft Excel and learn how to crunch numbers effectively. Whatever you choose, you can explore different online courses or certification programs to upskill. 

3. Analyze everything

Spend time consciously and critically evaluating everything — your surroundings, work processes, and even the way you interact with others. Integrating analysis into your day-to-day helps you practice. The analytical part of your brain is like a muscle, and the more you use it, the stronger it’ll become. 

After reading a book, listening to a podcast, or watching a movie, take some time to analyze what you watched. What were the messages? What did you learn? How was it delivered? Taking this approach to media will help you apply it to other scenarios in your life. 

If you’re giving a presentation at work or helping your team upskill , use the opportunity to flex the analytical side of your brain. For effective teaching, you’ll need to process and analyze the topic thoroughly, which requires skills like logic and communication. You also have to analyze others’ learning styles and adjust your teachings to match them. 

5. Play games

Spend your commute or weekends working on your skills in a way you enjoy. Try doing logic games like Sudoku and crossword puzzles during work breaks to foster critical thinking. And you can also integrate analytical skills into your existing hobbies. According to researcher Rakesh Ghildiyal, even team sports like soccer or hockey will stretch your capacity for analysis and strategic thinking . 

6. Ask questions

According to a study in Tr ends in Cognitive Sciences, being curious improves cognitive function , helping you develop problem-solving skills, retention, and memory. Start speaking up in meetings and questioning the why and how of different decisions around you. You’ll think more critically and even help your team find breakthrough solutions they otherwise wouldn’t.

7.Seek advice

If you’re unsure what analytical skills you need to develop, try asking your manager or colleagues for feedback . Their outside perspective offers insight you might not find within, like patterns in. And if you’re looking for more consistent guidance, talking to a coach can help you spot weaknesses and set goals for the long term.

8. Pursue opportunities

Speak to your manager about participating in special projects that could help you develop and flex your skills. If you’d like to learn about SEO or market research, ask to shadow someone in the ecommerce or marketing departments. If you’re interested in business forecasting, talk to the data analysis team. Taking initiative demonstrates a desire to learn and shows leadership that you’re eager to grow. 

Shining a spotlight on your analytical skills can help you at any stage of your job search. But since they take many forms, it’s best to be specific and show potential employers exactly why and how they make you a better candidate. Here are a few ways you can showcase them to the fullest:

1. In your cover letter

Your cover letter crafts a narrative around your skills and work experience. Use it to tell a story about how you put your analytical skills to use to solve a problem or improve workflow. Make sure to include concrete details to explain your thought process and solution — just keep it concise. Relate it back to the job description to show the hiring manager or recruiter you have the qualifications necessary to succeed.

2. On your resume

Depending on the type of resume you’re writing, there are many opportunities to convey your analytical skills to a potential employer. You could include them in sections like: 

• Professional summary: If you decide to include a summary, describe yourself as an analytical person or a problem-solver, whichever relates best to the job posting. 
• Work experience: Describe all the ways your skill for analysis has helped you perform or go above and beyond your responsibilities. Be sure to include specific details about challenges and outcomes related to the role you’re applying for to show how you use those skills. 
• Skills section: If your resume has a skill-specific section, itemize the analytical abilities you’ve developed over your career. These can include hard analytical skills like predictive modeling as well as interpersonal skills like communication.

3. During a job interview

As part of your interview preparation , list your professional accomplishments and the skills that helped along the way, such as problem-solving, data literacy, or strategic thinking. Then, pull them together into confident answers to common interview questions using the STAR method to give the interviewer a holistic picture of your skill set.

Developing analytical skills isn’t only helpful in the workplace. It’s essential to life. You’ll use them daily whenever you read the news, make a major purchase, or interact with others. Learning to critically evaluate information can benefit your relationships and help you feel more confident in your decisions, whether you’re weighing your personal budget or making a big career change .

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Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

20 examples of development opportunities that can level up your career

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45 Analysis Examples

Analysis is a higher-order thinking skills that demonstrates your ability to compare, contrast, organize, and distinguish information. This can help us to come to well-informed conclusions and evaluations.

Analytical thinking refers to a range of higher-order cognitive processes and skills. For instance, Spaska et al. (2021) identify the key components of the cognitive function of analysis as:

“…in-depth search, data analysis and evaluation, problem-solving, and decision-making.”

These comments are essential to:

“…reasoning, planning and conducting a  learning inquiry process , interpreting the yielded data and findings followed by drawing conclusions” (p. 880).

Analysis Examples

1. classifying or categorizing.

Classifying or categorizing involves arranging data, information, or objects into groups based on their shared attributes or characteristics. This process aids in understanding and organizing vast amounts of information, making it easier to analyze and interpret.

Example of Classification You have a list of different animals. You classify them into categories such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians based on their specific characteristics.

2. Prioritizing

Prioritizing requires identifying the order of importance of tasks, problems, or potential solutions. It’s a valuable process in effective time management and decision making, ensuring that limited resources are used efficiently.

Example You have several tasks to do: complete a project report, answer emails, attend a meeting, and organize your workspace. You decide to prioritize by the deadline, starting with the project report because it’s due earlier than the other tasks.

3. Sequencing Events

Sequencing refers to the practice of arranging information or events in a specific order. This process is crucial in understanding timelines, processes, or standing the order of procedures in a system.

Example In a recipe, you sequence the cooking steps from the first – such as chopping the vegetables, to the last – like sprinkling on the garnish and serving the dish.

4. Identifying Patterns

Identifying patterns involves recognizing and discovering recurrent events, behaviors, or numbers. The capability to identify patterns aids in predicting and understanding future occurrences or trends.

Example While studying monthly sales data, you identify a pattern where sales increase during the holiday seasons and decrease directly afterward, helping you predict future sales trends.

5. Drawing Conclusions

Drawing conclusions entails making an inference or a final judgment based on the gathered data or facts. This process is an essential part of decision-making and problem-solving.

Example You conduct a survey on customer satisfaction and find that the majority are satisfied with the product but dislike the customer service. You conclude that to increase customer satisfaction, the quality of customer service needs to improve.

6. Making Predictions

Making predictions involves speculating about a future event or outcome based on the available information or observed trends. It is an essential aspect of strategic planning and decision-making processes.

Example Based on the rising trend in your website’s traffic over the past few months, you predict that the site will hit a specific number of visitors by the end of the year.

7. Evaluating Evidence

Evaluating evidence requires assessing the reliability, validity, and relevance of the data or evidence related to a situation or problem. This procedure is vital in critical thinking , research, and decision-making processes. We may also engage in self-evaluation , where we reflect on ourselves and rate our behavior or performance in a recent task.

Example Before writing a scientific research report, you evaluate the data collected from experiments and studies, assessing precision and validity.

8. Deductive Reasoning

Deductive reasoning is a logical process where conclusions are drawn from a set of premises or beliefs which are generally accepted as true. It is used in problem-solving and decision-making processes.

Example of Deductive Reasoning All fruits contain seeds (premise 1), apples are a type of fruit (premise 2), therefore, apples contain seeds (conclusion drawn by deductive reasoning).

9. Inductive Reasoning

Inductive reasoning is a type of reasoning where general conclusions are drawn from specific examples. The results are probable, based upon the evidence given, and provide a basis assertive conjecture.

Example of Inductive Reasoning In all your previous experiences, birds have always had feathers, so you conclude that all birds have feathers (conclusion drawn by inductive reasoning).

10. Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a creative process used to generate multiple diverse ideas as a response to a problem or question. It encourages free-thinking and uninhibited idea generation to explore all possible solutions or concepts.

Example of Brainstorming While developing a new product, your team engages in a brainstorming session, suggesting several product designs, features, and marketing strategies.

11. SWOT Analysis

A SWOT Analysis is a strategic planning tool utilized to identify and analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in a project or business venture. It provides an organized listing of a company’s characteristics, providing a framework for understanding its capabilities and potential.

Example of SWOT Analysis A tech startup conducts a SWOT Analysis – Strengths: innovative technology, expert team; Weaknesses: lack of brand awareness, limited financial resources; Opportunities: emerging markets, partnerships; Threats: competitive market, changing technology.

12. Root Cause Analysis

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a systematic approach to identify the root or fundamental underlying causes behind a problem or incident. The goal is to find and fix the cause rather than merely dealing with the symptoms.

Example of Root Cause Analysis After a data breach, a business conducts a Root Cause Analysis and discovers a flaw in their cybersecurity system was the primary cause.

13. PESTLE Analysis

A PESTLE Analysis is a framework that focuses on the Political, Economic, Sociological, Technological, Legal, and Environmental factors influencing an organization or project. It helps to identify external forces that could impact a business’s performance.

Example A car manufacturing company does a PESTLE Analysis and realizes the stringent laws on emission standards (Legal) and the trend toward eco-friendly solutions (Environmental) in some markets may impact their production and sales.

14. Five Whys

The Five Whys technique is a straightforward issue-solving technique that explores the cause-and-effect relationships underlying a specific problem. The strategy involves asking “Why?” five times to get to the root cause.

Example A company’s project is delayed. Through Five Whys, they discover the root cause is a miscommunication regarding the project’s starting deadline.

15. Gap Analysis

Gap Analysis refers to the method used to identify the difference between the current state and the desired future state of a business or a project. It helps to understand what steps should be taken to drive the improvement and meet the set objectives.

Example A hotel conducts a Gap Analysis between their current guest satisfaction rates and their desired rate, revealing areas like room service quality and check-in process need improving.

16. Cost-Benefit Analysis

Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) is a process used to weigh the potential costs of a decision or investment against its possible benefits. The goal is to determine if the proposed action is financially viable and will bring about desirable results.

Example of Cost-Benefit Analysis An organization conducts a Cost-Benefit Analysis before deciding to purchase new computers, considering factors such as the cost of equipment, installation, and training against the productivity increase.

17. Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is a visual method used to structure, classify, and represent ideas. It encourages brainstorming by illustrating connections between thoughts, furthering the understanding and generation of new concepts.

Example Planning a company event, you create a mind map. The core idea or goal is in the center, with branches illustrating different components such as venue, attendees, and catering, offering a clear visual overview of the project.

18. Surveying or Polling

Surveying or polling is a data gathering method, typically in the form of a questionnaire sent to a specified population. It’s useful for collecting statistical data, gauging public opinion, or gathering feedback.

Example Your business conducts a customer satisfaction survey, reaching out to recent consumers to gather data on their experiences, their likes, and areas where improvements are needed.

19. Questioning or Interviewing

Questioning or interviewing involves collecting information, insights, or opinions from individuals via direct questioning. It’s a useful tool in research, job recruitment, and journalistic processes.

Example As part of a market research strategy, you interview your target audience to understand their needs, preferences, and purchasing behaviors.

20. Testing Hypotheses

Testing hypotheses is a part of the scientific method involving the formulation of propositions, conducting an experiment to test them, and analyzing the results. It aids in confirming or disproving assumptions, furthering knowledge and understanding.

Example of Hypothesis Testing You hypothesize that promoting a product on social media will increase sales. After a month of running the campaign, you analyze the sales figures to test the hypothesis.

21. Simulating or Modeling

Simulating or modeling involves creating a virtual representation or model of a system or scenario to predict outcomes, study processes, or conduct experiments. Simulations offer a safe and cost-effective way to analyze complex systems or high-risk situations.

Example For city planning, a 3D model of the city is developed to simulate the effects of implementing various traffic control methods.

22. Correlating Data Points

Correlating data points is a statistical method used to determine the relationship between two or more variables. It allows for the prediction of one variable based on the value of another and aids in identifying patterns.

Example After correlating weather data and ice cream sales, you find a positive correlation: as temperature increases, so do ice cream sales.

23. Synthesizing Information

Synthesizing information is combining data from multiple sources to draw conclusions, create new ideas, or generate knowledge. It is a critical process in research, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Example of Synthesis Writing a literature review of several research papers on climate change, you synthesize the information to provide a broader understanding of the topic.

24. Interpreting Visuals (like charts or graphs)

Interpreting visuals refers to extracting and understanding information represented visually, such as in charts, graphs, or images. It aids in transforming complex data into understandable and digestible information.

Example By interpreting a line graph depicting monthly profit, you can grasp the trend and fluctuations in the company’s profit over time.

25. Finding Anomalies or Outliers

Finding anomalies or outliers involves identifying data points that deviate significantly from the norm or expected range within a data set. This process can highlight errors or unique situations, which are crucial considerations in data analysis.

Anomaly Example In a medical trial, most participants show improved health after a new treatment. However, a few show severe side effects – these are the anomalies or outliers.

26. Sampling

Sampling is a statistical method where a subset of a group is selected to represent the whole population. The results of the sample can help make inferences about the larger group.

Example A food company wants to test a new product. Instead of giving it to all their customers directly, they select a sample of customers, offering a comprehensive and manageable way to gauge reactions.

27. Reviewing Literature

Reviewing literature involves critically reading and summarizing scholarly articles , books, or other resources relevant to a particular field or topic. It highlights trends, gaps, and controversies within the field and offers a foundation for further research.

Example of Literature Review As part of a psychology research project, you review literature on cognitive behavioral therapies, understanding its efficacy, application areas, and limitations reported in previous studies.

28. Summarizing Findings

Summarizing findings is the process of condensing information, data, or results into a brief, accessible format. It aids in communicating the essence of a study, research, or procedure without delving into intricate details.

Example After running a sales campaign, you summarize the findings to report to stakeholders, detailing the increase in sales, customer behavior, most successful strategies, and areas needing improvement.

29. Comparing and Contrasting

Comparing and contrasting involves identifying similarities between two or more items (comparison) while also noting their differences (contrast). This analysis helps in making informed decisions, understanding relationships, or emphasizing unique characteristics.

Example of Compare and Contrast You compare and contrast two mobile phones before purchasing. Similarities may include both having high-resolution cameras and differences might be in battery life or screen size. This comparison helps inform your purchasing decision.

30. Identifying Patterns

Identifying patterns involves observing the repetitive occurrences or trends in a dataset or behavior. Recognizing these patterns helps in anticipating future events or making decisions based on the repetitive or predictable nature.

Example of Pattern Recognition A stock market analyst identifies a pattern in a stock’s performance over several years, noticing that it dips in January and rises in April, providing valuable insights for investment decisions.

31. Problem Decomposition

Problem decomposition, also known as problem-breaking, is the process of breaking down a complex problem into smaller, more manageable parts. This facilitates easier analysis and problem-solving.

Example A software developer breaks down the problem of a faulty software into component issues: coding errors, user interface glitches, and database connectivity issues, each then addressed individually.

32. Evaluating Solutions

Evaluating solutions involves assessing various solutions to a problem concerning their effectiveness, potential impact, and feasibility. It is crucial in decision-making processes and ensuring an optimal solution is chosen.

Example Your business has a profit reduction problem. After generating various solutions, you evaluate each one considering factors such as cost, time, and potential impact to select the best approach.

33. Bias Identification

Bias identification involves recognizing subjective or prejudiced views that may influence judgment or analysis. Identifying biases aids in ensuring objective decision-making and analysis.

Example In a psychological study, you identify a selection bias as the study’s participants are all from the same city, potentially skewing the research results.

34. Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis encompasses the collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation, and modeling of data. By applying statistical techniques, we can extract meaningful insights and make informed decisions.

Example An ecommerce company uses statistical analysis to understand customer behavior, looking at purchase rates, return rates, and cart abandonment rates to improve their strategy.

35. Decision Trees

Decision trees are graphical representations of potential outcomes or decisions, structured in a tree-like model. They help visualize complex decision-making processes, highlighting possibilities and consequences.

Example Planning the launch of a new product, you map out a decision tree, detailing decisions like pricing strategy, different marketing approaches, and potential market reactions.

36. Cause-and-effect Analysis

Cause-and-effect analysis, also known as the Fishbone diagram or Ishikawa diagram, is a tool to identify potential factors causing an overall effect or problem. This process assists in deep diving into root causes of a problem.

Example of Cause-and-Effect Analysis Production quality has dropped in your factory. A cause-and-effect analysis identifies several causes such as outdated machinery, untrained staff, and inconsistent raw material quality.

37. Use of Scientific Methods

The use of scientific methods involves systematic observation , measurement, experimentation, and testing to create or revise knowledge. It’s a cornerstone in fields like psychology, biology, physics, and others where hypotheses need rigorous testing.

Example of the Scientific Method Researchers using the scientific method to understand a disease might start with an observation, develop a hypothesis, conduct experiments, analyze data, and then affirm or modify their hypothesis.

38. Critical Reading

Critical reading is an active, analytical way of reading that involves questioning the content, assessing the evidence provided, determining the implication, and judging the effectiveness of arguments.

Example In reviewing a scientific research paper, you critically read, looking at the methodology, evaluating evidence, identifying potential biases, and verdicting the soundness of the conclusions.

39. Logical Reasoning

Logical reasoning entails using reason, logic, and systematic steps to arrive at a conclusion from one or more premises. It is a crucial aspect of problem-solving, decision-making, and academic studies.

Example If all dogs bark (premise) and your pet is a dog, then logically, your pet barks.

40. Scenario Planning

Scenario planning is a strategic planning method used to forecast different futures and how they could affect an organization or situation. It assists in designing flexible long-term plans.

Example An insurance company practices scenario planning, examining potential situations such as natural disasters, economic downturns, and changes in regulations, planning their strategies accordingly.

41. Data Visualization

Data visualization is the representation of data or information in a graphical format. It makes complex data more understandable and accessible, revealing trends, correlations, and patterns that might go unnoticed in text-based data.

Example In a business meeting, you present a colorful, interactive dashboard that visualizes sales data, making it easier for the team to comprehend the sales performance.

42. Inferential Thinking

Inferential thinking involves making inferences or conclusions based on evidence and reasoning but without the direct confirmation of a statement. It is often used in situations where an immediate or clear-cut judgment cannot be made.

Example of Inferential Thinking A physician uses inferential thinking when diagnosing a patient. Based on the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and lab results, the doctor makes an educated inference about the likely cause of the patient’s illness.

43. Assessing

Assessing refers to the process of appraising or evaluating something, often to determine its value, importance, size, or other qualities. By careful and systematic consideration, assessing aids in decision making and problem-solving.

Example A teacher assesses a student’s project, evaluating the accuracy of the content , the clarity of presentation, creativity, and the quality of research to give the project a final grade.

44. Critiquing

Critiquing involves thoroughly examining and interpreting a situation, concept, or work, followed by giving constructive feedback or evaluation. It provides a thorough understanding of the work and valuable insights for improvement.

Example An art critic critiques a painting by analyzing its elements — composition, color usage, subject matter, and paint application — then provides an assessment of the piece’s impact and effectiveness in achieving its purpose.

45. Deconstructing

Deconstructing is a critical strategy that involves breaking down a concept, narrative, or structure to understand its underlying assumptions , ideas, or themes. By understanding these elements, it’s possible to have a more profound understanding of the whole.

Example A literature professor deconstructs a novel with her students by examining its narrative structure, character development, themes, and stylistic devices to uncover underlying messages and cultural contexts .

Analysis and Bloom’s Taxonomy

A popular method of conceptualizing the concept of analysis is Bloom’s Taxonomy , which demonstrates where analysis sits on a rank order of cognitive processes:

Here, we can see that analysis requires a degree of effortful processing that is more complex than mere remembering, understanding, or applying, but sits below evaluation and creation on the tiers of cognition.

According to Bloom, analysis verbs can include:

• Differentiate
• Deconstruct
• Investigate

Analysis is an essential skill for developing deep understanding of subject matter, and for students, is essential for demonstrating your depth of knowledge – especially in essay writing. To achieve analysis, consider using strategies such as compare and contrast and frameworks such as SWOT analyses, which can give you a structured way to achieve an analytical degree of thinking.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Social-Emotional Learning (Definition, Examples, Pros & Cons)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ What is Educational Psychology?
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ What is IQ? (Intelligence Quotient)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University

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Analytical Thinking, Critical Analysis, and Problem Solving Guide

• Post author: Samir Saif
• Post published: September 5, 2023
• Post category: marketing skills
• Post comments: 4 Comments
• Post last modified: November 10, 2023
• Reading time: 9 mins read

Analytical thinking; is a mental process that entails dissecting an issue or situation into its constituent parts, investigating their relationships, and reaching conclusions based on facts and logic.

It is not about trusting instincts or making assumptions; rather, it is about studying details, recognizing patterns, and developing a full understanding. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a curious mind, improving analytical thinking can help you solve problems more effectively.

Table of Contents

Analytical Thinking’s Importance in Problem Solving

Certainly! Analytical thinking entails the capacity to gather pertinent information, critically assess evidence, and reach logical conclusions. It enables you to:

• Identify Root Causes: Analytical thinking allows you to delve deeper into a problem to find the underlying causes rather than just addressing surface-level symptoms.
• Reduce Risks: Analytical thinking can help discover potential risks and obstacles connected with various solutions. This kind of thinking encourages constant progress and the generation of new ideas.
• Improve Communication: Analytical thinking enables you to deliver clear and well-structured explanations while giving answers to others.
• Adaptability : Analytical thinking gives you a flexible attitude.
• Learning and Development: Analytical thinking improves your cognitive skills, allowing you to learn from prior experiences and apply those lessons to new situations.
• Problem Prevention: By examining previous difficulties, you can find trends and patterns.
• Analytical thinking is, in essence, the foundation of effective problem-solving. It enables you to approach problems methodically, make well-informed judgments, and eventually get better results.

Key Components of Analytical Thinking

Analytical thinking is a multifaceted process including a beautifully woven tapestry of observation, inquiry, and logic. Engage your curiosity as you approach a complex task and see patterns emerge, similar to stars in the night sky.

These patterns direct your thinking toward greater comprehension. Your understanding grows as you progress, and your analytical thinking becomes a light of clarity, guiding people through the fog of complexity.

Your tapestry is complete as you approach the shores of conclusion, a tribute to the power of analytical thinking. Embrace your curiosity, navigate the waters of observation, and let the stars of logic guide you. Remember that the art of analytical thinking is a magnificent journey that leads to enlightenment.

Using analytical reasoning in real-life situations

Absolutely! Let’s get started with analytical thinking! Consider yourself in a busy city, attempting to discover the shortest route to your goal. Instead than taking the first option that comes to mind, you take a moment to think about your possibilities.

This is the initial stage in analytical thinking: evaluating the situation. As you contemplate, you balance the advantages and disadvantages of each route, taking into account issues such as traffic, distance, and potential bypasses. This information gathering approach assists you in making an informed decision.

Breaking down the problem

Then you go to the second phase, which entails breaking the problem down into smaller portions. You break down the difficult job of navigating the city into manageable components, much like a puzzle.

This technique allows you to identify future difficulties and devise creative solutions. For example, you may observe a construction zone on one route but recall a shortcut that may save you time.

Read Also:  Goal Alignment: Key Strategies for Success

Analyzing the information

You employ critical thinking to assess the material you’ve received as you go. As you consider the significance of each component—time, distance, and traffic—patterns and connections emerge.

You begin to make connections and discover that, while a faster route may appear enticing, heavy traffic at certain times of day might make it a frustrating experience.

Make a decision

Making a decision in the last step necessitates a complete comprehension of the circumstance as well as critical analysis. Analytical thinking entails investigating alternatives, comprehending nuances, and making informed decisions.

This approach can lead to optimal, well-thought-out, and adaptable solutions, whether navigating a city, tackling a complex project, or making life decisions. Analytic thinking allows one to make informed judgments that benefit both the situation and the individual.

Strategies to Enhance Analytical Thinking Skills

Developing strong analytical thinking abilities is a journey that opens up new possibilities for comprehension and issue solving.

Consider yourself on an exciting mental journey where every challenge is an opportunity for improvement. Here’s a step-by-step guide to cultivating and improving your analytical thinking talents.

Accept curiosity

Begin by embracing your curiosity. Allow your thoughts to roam, pondering about the hows and whys of the world around you.

Allow yourself to immerse yourself completely in the complexities of a complex topic, such as climate change. “What are the underlying causes of this phenomenon?” Two decent places to start are “How do different variables interact to shape its outcomes?”.

Improve your observing abilities

Then, put your observation abilities to the test. Pay close attention to details that would otherwise go undetected. Instead of just gazing at the colors and shapes, try to figure out the brushstrokes, the play of light and shadow, and the feelings they create, as if you were studying a painting.

When analyzing data, look underneath the surface figures for trends, anomalies, and patterns that can reveal hidden insights.

Accept critical thinking

Learn to think critically as you progress. Examine your assumptions and look for alternative points of view. Assume you’re looking into a business problem, such as declining sales.

Instead than jumping to conclusions, investigate the matter from all angles. Consider changes in the sector, client preferences, and even internal corporate processes. This broader viewpoint can lead to creative solutions.

Read Also:  Business Development: Strategies and Tips for Success

Experiment with logical reasoning

Also, practice logical reasoning. Improve your ability to connect the dots and build logical chains of reasoning. As if you were assembling a jigsaw puzzle, each piece must fit snugly into the whole.

Consider how numerous variables such as population growth, infrastructure, and transportation systems logically interconnect when dealing with a complex issue such as urban congestion.

Improve your problem-solving skills

Develop your problem-solving abilities as well. For example, if you’re struggling with a personal issue, such as time management, break it down into smaller components. Analyze your daily routine to discover bottlenecks and develop a strategy to overcome them.

Foster continuous learning

Finally, encourage ongoing learning by broadening your knowledge base and investigating new domains. Imagine yourself as a discerning thinker analyzing the world’s intricacies and unraveling secrets.

Remember that progress, not perfection, is the goal. Every task, question, and conundrum you solve puts you one step closer to being an analytical juggernaut. Continue to explore and study to see your critical thinking skills soar to new heights.

Applying analytical reasoning to work

Assume you are a business owner who wants to boost client happiness. An analytical thinker would collect and analyze client input to uncover frequent pain issues.

You can adopt targeted adjustments that address the fundamental causes of unhappiness by detecting patterns in feedback data.

How can you demonstrate analytical skills on a resume?

Analytical skills on your CV can set you apart and leave a lasting impression on potential employers. Make your CV into a canvas, describing specific instances where your analytical skills were put to use.

Share how you methodically dissected a challenging topic or situation, revealing insights that aided your decision-making.

If you were tasked with optimizing a company’s supply chain, for example, dig further into data on inventory levels, production rates, and distribution deadlines.

Explain how your study found a bottleneck in the distribution network, leading to a realignment suggestion that saved the organization time and money.

Storytelling is key. Create a fascinating story about how your analytical abilities helped solve a tough problem, demonstrating your abilities and attracting the reader.

Your CV should read like a motivational trip through your analytical abilities, inspiring companies with your future contributions to their organization.

What is a case study of analytical thinking?

Absolutely! Let me give you an excellent example of analytical thinking that perfectly expresses its essence. Maya, a young scientist in this example, is dedicated to discovering a long-term solution for safe drinking water in rural areas.

She performs extensive research on water supplies, toxins, and local circumstances, looking for patterns and anomalies. She develops the concept that heavy rains increase runoff, resulting in higher levels of water contamination.

Maya designs controlled experiments in a lab setting to test her idea, acquiring quantifiable information through manipulation and observation.

Maya’s investigation continues, and she explores the big picture, imagining a multi-faceted solution that involves rainwater gathering, enhanced filtration systems, and community education.

She anticipates problems and works with engineers, social workers, and community leaders to refine her ideas and ensure their viability.

Her journey exemplifies how analytical thinking can lead to transformational solutions, and it motivates us to tackle complex challenges with curiosity, diligence, and the hope that careful analysis may design a better future.

Final Thoughts

Analytical thinking is more than just a cognitive skill; it’s a mindset that empowers you to unravel complexity, make informed choices, and navigate challenges with confidence.

You will be better able to handle the intricacies of the modern world as your analytical thinking skills increase, whether in business, academics, or daily life. Accept the power of analytical thinking, and your decision-making and problem-solving abilities will soar.

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• Open access
• Published: 13 May 2024

Unused, expired pharmaceuticals and their disposal practices among the general public in Burdur-Türkiye: a cross-sectional study

• Serkan Köksoy 1  

BMC Public Health volume  24 , Article number:  1303 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

Unused pharmaceuticals are currently a public health problem. This study aimed to identify unused pharmaceuticals, research practices about the disposal methods, classify the medicines according to Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical codes (ATC) and, to determine the number of unused medicines.

The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. Data were collected between April and August 2023 in Burdur-Türkiye by non-probability sampling technique (convenience method). Pharmaceuticals were classified according to ATC. Statistical Package for Social Science SPSS (V.24) package program was used for data analysis.

A total of 1120 people, 1005 in the first sample group and 115 in the second sample group, participated in the study. Findings of first sample group: A total of 4097 boxes of unused pharmaceuticals (4.7 ± 4.3 boxes/per capita) were detected. It was found that pharmaceuticals were stored in areas such as kitchens (59.1%) and refrigerators (38.6%), the reason for keeping them was reuse (41%), and the disposal practice was household garbage (81%). Paracetamol (648 boxes), Other cold preparation (303 boxes), Dexketoprofen (239 boxes), Diclofenac (218 boxes), Amoxicillin and beta-lactamase inhibitor ( 190 boxes) were found to be the most frequently unused pharmaceuticals. Using the unused medicines at home without consulting a physician was 94.1% (self-medication). Findings of second sample group: Of the 6189 dosage forms in 265 boxes pharmaceutical, 3132(50.6%) dosage forms were used and 3057(49.4%) were found to be unused.

There is a significant amount and number of unused medicines in households, and self-medication is common. Medicines are not properly disposed of and some of them expire. Public information is needed. A “drug take-back system” for unused medicines can be useful in solving this problem.

Peer Review reports

Introduction

Drugs are agents used in the treatment of diseases and are prescribed by physicians based on the patient’s diagnosis. For home treatment, medications prescribed by physicians are obtained from the pharmacy and used for treatment. However, patients may prematurely discontinue home drug treatment for various reasons. The main reasons for early discontinuation include the early recovery from disease, a change in diagnosis, a decrease in or loss of faith in the treatment, side effects of the medication, and the patient non-compliance with treatment, among others [ 1 ]. When the patients discontinue drug treatment for any reason, they may contribute to the accumulation of unused medicines in the household. The unused pharmaceuticals that accumulate in the household can be reused at different times to alleviate the symptoms of various diseases, can be given to another person, or kept on hand until the expiration date [ 2 ]. If there is lack of knowledge about the medicines that accumulate in the household, the expiration dates of the medicines may expire, which can lead to health problems when these medicines are used [ 3 ].

Several epidemiological studies have been conducted on unused pharmaceuticals. In a study conducted in Saudi Arabia, it was reported that about half of the participants accumulated unused pharmaceuticals in their households, the main reason for accumulation was to cure illness, they disposed of the pharmaceuticals by throwing them in the garbage, and a significant number of participants were uneducated about pharmaceutical disposal practices [ 4 ]. In a study conducted by Woldeyohanins et al. (2021), it was reported that more than half of the participants had unused pharmaceuticals in their homes, about 59.2% checked the expiration date, and the household trash can was used as a method of pharmaceutical disposal practices [ 5 ]. In a similar study, people were reported to have unused medicines at homes, to store them because they might need them later, and to dispose of them inappropriately [ 6 ].

While this is the case in the general public, similar findings have been reported among student in health professions (medicine, nursing, pharmacy, etc.). For example, a previous study reported that 95.7% of pharmacy students had unused medications, some of which were expired and not properly disposed [ 7 , 8 ]. Improper disposal of pharmaceuticals posed an environmental hazard. The presence of pharmaceutical waste in wastewater treatment plants was indicative of this problem. A study reported that pharmaceutical metabolites and active ingredients were detected in drinking water facilities, even if at low levels [ 9 ].

There are numerous studies in the literature on unused medicines. These studies summarize data from different countries, cultures, geographies, and levels of development. In generel, these studies categorize the unused medicines by mechanism of action (antibiotics, analgesics, etc.) rather than by Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification (ATC). In addition, it has been observed that the number of studies reporting the amount of used and unused medicines is extremely limited. This gap in the literature needs to be addressed. Therefore, this study aimed to identify unused medications, classify them according to the ATC, research participants’ practices about these medications, and determine how much of medications such as tablets, capsules and dragees with a given quantity are used and how much is unused.

Study design

The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. Data were collected between April 1 and August 31, 2023 in Burdur-Türkiye. This study consists of two sample groups, the first sample group and the second sample group. The data of both groups were collected by a non-probability sampling technique (convenience method). While the online method (Google form) was used to collect the data in the first sample, the face-to-face method was used in the second sample. For first sample size, proportionally based sampling with the double design effect method was used. For second sample size, certain percentage of the calculated number of participants in the first sample group was taken as a basis. The purpose of the second sample was to determine the quantity of unused pharmaceuticals, to strengthen the findings and to enhance the literature. For some reasons, the data collected from the first sample were not collected from the second sample (Private life/privacy, protection of personal data, difficulty of voluntary participation, similar personal characteristics.etc.).

Participant criteria

Participant criteria were determined to participate in the study. These were determined as not having any chronic disease at the time of data collection and not taking medication for any disease, having appropriate equipment for online data (computer, smartphone, tablet), living at home due to the question types, being literate (for face-to-face data collection), not being given partial or incomplete information, being above the age of 18 years and giving consent. Participant exclusion criteria were defined as not having the above-mentioned conditions and not having unused medicines.

First sample size

A formula ( n = Z 2 x p(1-p)/d 2 x DEFF ( n: sample size, Z:confidence interval, p:expected proportion, d:margin of error and DEFF: design effect) ) was used to calculate this sample size [ 10 ]. According to this formula ( 1.96 2  × 0.5(1–0.5)/0.05 2  × 2n=754 × 0.1 ), it was needed that at least 830 people participate in the study. Sociodemographic data, practices on unused medicines, disposal methods, number of unused medicines and generic names of medicines were collected from these sample group.

Second sample size

For the quantity analysis, 10% ( n  = 83) of the first sample size ( n  = 830) was taken as a basis [ 11 ]. Only the generic name of pharmaceutical and quantity of unused drugs (dosage forms) were collected from this sample.

As a result, it was calculated that at least 913 people participated in the study.

Data collection tool

Since the research consisted of two separate sample groups, two separate forms were used. The data collection form collected from the first sample included the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, their practices about unused drugs, disposal method, generic names of drugs and the number of unused drugs. In the second sample group data collection form, only data on the quantity of unused medicines such as tablets, dragees and capsules were collected.

Description of unused drug: It is called the leftover part of the drug after treatment. This description was sent as a video to the group for online data collection. It was explained verbally to the face-to-face data collection group.

The data collection form of the first sample group

In order to obtain data from the first sample group of the study, a questionnaire was developed based on the questions of previous studies [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. The content of this form includes socio-demographics, practices about on unused medicines, disposal practices, number of unused medicines and generic names of medicines. The data collected through this form were collected online by using a Google form. The Google form was turned into a link. This link and the explanation video of the research (purpose, participant criteria, data filling examples, etc.) were sent to people as text messages via WhatsApp. In particular, groups with a large number of people registered (groups such as school, work, etc.) were targeted.

The data collection form of the second sample group

This was a data collection form in which quantity of unused medicines in the medicines box (tablets, dragees, capsules, etc.) was recorded. The number of dosage forms of these medicines was obtained by simple subtraction (Number of dosage forms of unused medicines = number of dosage forms of medicines - number of dosage forms of medicines used). Data used for quantity analysis were collected face-to-face by using a written data collection form.

Classification of Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals were classified according to the ATC/DDD Index 2023. This index is a very useful resource published by WHO and WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology and includes Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification, Defined Daily Dose (DDD) values, codes [ 15 ].

Data Analysis

SPSS (V.24) package program was used for data analysis. Descriptive parameters were summarized as (n) and percentage (%) where relevant [n(%)]. Mean (X̅) and standard deviation (S) were summarized as X̅±S. The relationship between the number of pharmaceuticals in the households and sociodemographic variables was tested with non-parametric tests (Mann Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis, Tamhanes T2). Statistical significance level was taken as p  < 0.05.

A total of 1172 people participated in the study, 1057 in the first sample group (52 people were excluded) and 115 in the second sample group. The study was completed with 1120 participants.

The findings of the first sample group ( n  = 1005)

Some people data were not included in the study due to exclusion criteria ( n  = 24, 2.3%). The number of people with unused pharmaceuticals was found to be 28(2.6%) (97.4% of participants have unused medicines). Therefore, study was completed with 1005 participants (Age mean 36.9 ± 12.3 years). A total of 4097 boxes of unused pharmaceuticals were observed (4.7 ± 4.3 boxes/per capita).

When evaluating the number of unused pharmaceuticals and the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants ( n  = 1005), no statistical difference was observed in gender variable ( p  = 0.089). However, statistical differences were observed in marital status (lower in singles), place of residence (lower in rural areas), and economic status (Income < Expense) ( p  < 0.001, p  < 0.001, p  < 0.001, respectively) as shown in Table  1 .

It was found that the options of kitchen (59.1%) as the room where pharmaceuticals were kept at home, refrigerator (38.6%) as the place where pharmaceuticals were stored, family health center (42.2%) as the health facility where most pharmaceuticals were prescribed, reuse (41%) as the reason for keeping pharmaceuticals in household, family physician (48.7%) as the specialty branch where most pharmaceuticals were prescribed, were selected more than other options. The options of checking the expiry date of pharmaceuticals (72.1%), reading the package insert (56.7%) and not buying pharmaceuticals without a prescription (58.7%) were more chosen ones by the participants. Keeping pharmaceuticals in household until the expiry date (44.6%), throwing expired pharmaceuticals in the garbage (81%), thinking that improper disposal of pharmaceuticals pollutes the environment (74.8%), and The Ministry of Health is responsible for raising awareness on medicines (41.7%) were the options that were more frequently marked by the participants. Using the unused medicines at home without consulting a physician was 94.1% (self-medication). (Table  2 ).

The most unused drugs by ATC class were Lansoprozole, Folic Acid, Propranolol, Other Cicatrizants, Levothyroxine Sodium, Amoxicillin and beta lactamase inhibitor, Dexketoprofen, Paracetamol, Metronidazole, Other Cold Medicines . In terms of number of boxes, it was “ Paracetamol, Other Cold Medicines, Dexketoprofen, Diclofenac, Amoxicillin and beta lactamase inhibitor, Pseudoephedrine combination, Lansoprazole and Acetylsalicylic acid ” (Table  3 ).

n = number of pharmaceuticals (box), %=percentage of the number of pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceuticals with fewer than 10 were given as “others” in the table. Pharmaceuticals in the Others section was summarized separately as ATC name, ATC code and number of pharmaceuticals (For example: Zinc sulfate(A12CB01):9). A-Others( n  = 80):Benzidamine(A01AD02):9, Lactulose(A06AD11):9, Zinc sulfate(A12CB01):9, Nifuroxazide(A07AX03):8, Tioctic acid(A16AX01):7, Pinaverium(A03AX04):6, Sodium fluoride(A01AA01):6, Famotidine(A02BA03):5, Orlistat(A08AB01):3, Rabeprazole(A02BC04):3, Multivitamins and other minerals, incl. combinations(A11AA03):2, Otilonium bromide(A03AB06):2, Multienzymes(lipase, protease etc.)(A09AA02):2, Dexpanthenol(A11HA30):1, Domperidone(A03FA03):1, Glibenclamide(A10BB01):1, Glibornuride(A10BB04):1, Glycerol(A06AG04):1, Magnesium hydroxide(A02AA04):1, Mebeverine(A03AA04):1, Various(A01AD11):1, Pyridoxine(A11HA02):1. B-Others( n  = 24):Cyanocobalamin(B03BA01):8, Ferrous amino acid complex and folic acid(B03AD01):7, Clopidogrel(B01AC04):3, Ticagrelor(B01AC24):1, Apixaban(B01AF02):1, Tranexamic acid(B02AA02):1, Ferrous glycine sulfate(B03AA01):1, Ferrous fumarate(B03AA02):1, Cyanocobalamin, combinations(B03BB51):1. C-Others( n  = 46):Doxazosin(C02CA04):7, Rosuvastatin(C10AA07):6, Candesartan(C09CA06):4, Nebivolol(C07AB12):3, Amlodipine(C08CA01):2, Captopril(C09AA01):2, Lercanidipine(C08CA13):2, Digoxin(C01AA05):2, Atenolol(C07AB03):1, Benidipin(C08CA15):1, Calcium Dobesilat(C05BX01):1, Organo-heparinoid(C05BA01):1, Hydrocortisone(C05AA01):1, Quinapril and diuretics(C09BA06):1, Lisinopril(C09AA03):1, Losartan and diuretics(C09DA01):1, Olmesartan mdeoxomil and amlodipine(C09DB02):1, Pentoxifylline(C04AD03):1, Pitavastatin(C10AA08):1, Other preparations, combinations(C05AX03):1, Spironolactone(C03DA01):1, Hydrochlorothiazide combinations(C03AX01):1, Torasemide(C03CA04):1, Trimetazidine(C01EB15):1, Valsartan and diuretics(C09DA03):1, Zofenopril(C09AA15):1. D-Others( n  = 51):Silver sulfadiazine(D06BA01):8, Centella asiatica herba(D03AX14):7, Carbamide combinations(D02AE51):5, Clobetasol(D07AD01):3, Oxytetracycline(D06AA03):3, Sertaconazole(D01AC14):3, Terbinafine(D01BA02):3, Diphenhydramine(D04AA32):2, Nadifloxacin(D10AF05):2, Wart and anti-corn preparations (D11AF):2, Acyclovir(D06BB03):1, Other antibiotics for topical use (D06AX):1, Betamethasone(D07AC01):1, Butenafine(D01AE23):1, Hydroquinone(D11AX11):1, Hydrocortisone(D07AA02):1, Isotretinoin combinations(D10AD54):1, Clobetasone(D07AB01):1, Methylprednisolone aceponate(D07AC14):1, Mometasone(D07AC13):1, Naftifine(D01AE22):1, Terbinafine(D01AE15):1, Oxiconazole(D01AC11):1. G-Others( n  = 9):Clotrimazole(G01AF02):2, Progesterone(G03DA04):2, Dydrogesteron(G03DB01):2, Imidazole derivates and corticosteroids(G01BF):1, Estradiol(G03CA03):1, Darifenacin(G04BD10):1. H-Others( n  = 12):Dexamethasone(H02AB02):6, Prednisolone(H02AB06):5, Betamethasone(H02AB01):1. J-Others( n  = 31):Cefaclor(J01DC04):8, Azithromycin(J01FA10):5, Clarithromycin(J01FA09):4, Cefixime(J01DD08):3, Doxycycline(J01AA02):2, Cefprozil(J01DC10):1, Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (J01EE01):1, Lincomycin(J01FF02):1, Levofloxacin(J01MA12):1, Fusidic acid(J01XC01):1, Fluconazole(J02AC01):1, Rifamycin(J04AB03):1, Aciclovir(J05AB01):1, Valaciclovir(J05AB11):1. L-Others( n  = 1):Leflunamide(L04AA13):1 M-Others( n  = 37):Acemetacin(M01AB11):7, Thiocolchicoside, combinations(M03BX55):7, Preparations with salicylic acid derivatives(M02AC):5, Colchicine(M04AC01):5, Phenprobamate, combinations excl. psycholeptics(M03BA51):2, Thiocolchicoside(M03BX05):2, Indomethacin(M01AB01):2, Meloxicam(M01AC06):2, Benzidamine(M02AA05):1, Etofenamate(M02AA06):1, Piroxicam(M02AA07):1, Methocarbamol, combinations excl. psycholeptics(M03BA53):1, Tizanidine(M03BX02):1. N-Others( n  = 34):Paracetamol, combinations with psycholeptics(N02BE71):8, Sertraline(N06AB06):5, Eletriptan(N02CC06):3, Frovatriptan(N02CC07):2, Paroxetine(N06AB05):2, Methylphenidate(N06BA04):2, Flunarizine(N07CA03):2, Acetylsalicylic acid, combinations excl. psycholeptics(N02BA51):1, Ergotamine(N02CA02):1, Topiramate(N03AX11):1, Gabapentin(N0BF01):1, Lacosamide(N03AX18):1, Diazepam(N05BA01):1, Escitalopram(N06AB10):1, Trazodone(N06AX05):1, Duloxetine(N06AX21):1, Lamotrigine(N03AX09):1. R-Others( n  = 52):Oxymetazoline(R01AA05):10, Salbutamol and sodium cromoglicate (R03AK04):7, Cyproheptadine(R06AX02):4, Oxolamine(R05DB07):3, Rupatadine(R06AX28):3, Diphenhydramine(R06AA2):2, Beclomethasone(R01AD01):2, Mometasone(R01AD09):2, Fluticasone(R03BA05):2, Theophylline(R03DA04):2, Montelukast(R03DC03):2, Ebastine(R06AX22):2, Fexofenadine(R06AX26):2, Levodropropizine(R05DB27):2, Xylometazoline(R01AA07):1, Azelastine(R01AC03):1, Pseudoephedrine(R01BA02):1, Formoterol and budesonide(R03AK07):1, Formoterol and beclometasone(R03AK08):1, Doxylamine(R06AA09):1, Bilastine(R06AX29):1. S-Others( n  = 13):Fusidic acid(S01AA13):3, Ketotifen(S01GX08):3, Tobramycin(S01AA12):2, Artificial tears and other indifferent preparations(S01XA20):2, Gentamicin(S03AA06):2, Corticosteroids and antiinfectives in combination(S01CA01):1 (Table  3 )

The findings of the second sample group ( n  = 115)

It was found that there were 265 boxes (6189 dosage forms in the boxes) of unused pharmaceuticals (3.8 ± 5 boxes/per capita) in in households of these participants. Of the 265 boxes medicines, 74(27.9%) were found to be expired. The most Pseudoephedrine combination (23 boxes) and Other cold preparation (23 boxes) and Dexketoprofen (20 boxes) drugs were found to be unused drugs. The percentage of unused drugs was highest in class D(79%), P(55.4%) and N(54.6%), while used drugs were in class G(76.9%), C(69.6%) and A(53.9%) (Table  4 ).

Among the prescribed pharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals in “Class G” were the most commonly used (76.9%), while pharmaceuticals in “Class D” were the least used (21%). The highest number of unused pharmaceuticals was found to be in “Class R” (929 dosage forms), followed by “Class M” drugs (682 dosage forms). Of the pharmaceuticals prescribed to the participants (6189 dosage forms), 3132(50.6%) were used and 3057(49.4%) were unused (Table  4 ).

Many studies have been conducted on unused medicines and their disposal practices. According to the findings of these studies, there is a serious public health problem and lack of policy. This study presents the current situation in Türkiye. In our study, there was a statistical difference between the number of unused drugs and some sociodemographic characteristics such as marriage, education, economic status etc. In the literature search, studies researching socio-demographic characteristics and the number of pharmaceuticals are very limited. A previous study found that medication disposal practice was found to be associated with some sociodemographic variables such as gender, age, marital status, and residence [ 16 ]. In another study, it was reported that parameters such as gender, education level, and place of residence were associated with drug keeping at home [ 17 ]. Therefore, it is possible to say that some sociodemographic characteristics are effective on the dependent variables.

According to the findings obtained from the participants’ practices on unused pharmaceuticals, it was found that pharmaceuticals were generally stored in the kitchen and refrigerator, and most of the pharmaceuticals were prescribed by primary health care facilities and family physicians. Addition, it was found that the most important reason for having unused pharmaceuticals in their households was reuse (for treatment), 44.6% kept them in household until the expiration date, 72.1% checked the expiration date, 56.7% read the package insert, and 41.3% purchased pharmaceuticals without a prescription. The findings that expired pharmaceuticals were thrown away, that improper disposal of pharmaceuticals polluted the environment and that the awareness on pharmaceuticals should be raised by the Ministry of Health came to the forefront. In a study reported by Manocha et al. (2020), it was reported that a significant proportion of participants had unused pharmaceuticals in their households and threw away expired pharmaceuticals [ 18 ]. In a study conducted by Althagafi et al. (2022), it was shown that about half of the participants were found pharmaceuticals in their households and that these pharmaceuticals were mainly stored in the refrigerator [ 4 ]. In another study researching the storage conditions of pharmaceuticals, it was shown that pharmaceuticals were stored in many different places, but especially in the kitchen [ 19 ]. In a study conducted by Gidey et al. (2020), it was reported that improper disposal of pharmaceuticals might be harmful to the environment and 77.4% disposed of pharmaceuticals by throwing them in household garbage [ 20 ]. In another study on medication disposal, it was reported that participants mostly disposed of medicines by throwing them in household garbage [ 21 ]. The dominant view was that unused pharmaceuticals were generally accumulated in households, expired pharmaceuticals were thrown in household garbage, pharmaceuticals were stored in the kitchen, and improper disposal harmed the environment in literature. When we compare the findings in the literature with our study findings, it is possible to say that the findings are similar. We think that the variation in the findings of behaviors towards unused medicines (storage, disposal, etc.) may be related to the type of study, number of participants, participant characteristics, culture, region and development level of the country.

According to the findings of our study, there were unused drugs in almost all ATC classes. In addition, the most prominent drugs in the quantity of leftover drugs were analgesics (paracetamol, etc.), cold medicines, NSAIDs (dexketoprofen, etc.), antibiotics (amoxicillin, etc.) and proton pump inhibitors (lansoprazole, etc.). According to various studies conducted based on the classification of the mechanism of action, drugs such as analgesics and pain relievers [ 22 ], antipyretics, analgesics, antispasmodics, antibiotics, antacids, and vitamins [ 23 ], antibiotics and pain-spasm relievers [ 24 ], antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [ 12 ], antibiotics and analgesics [ 2 ], NSAIDs, antibiotics, and vitamins [ 13 ], were reported. In studies conducted in Mexico and Saudi Arabia, which are located in two different geographies, NSAIDs came to the forefront [ 25 , 26 ]. It is seen that the findings of studies based on the mechanism of action of unused pharmaceuticals in the literature are similar to each other. In our study, ATC classification was performed and it can be said that the Turkish context also supports the existing literature.

According to the findings of our study, 50.6% of the total number of dosage forms of pharmaceuticals were used but 49.4% were unused. Patients should follow the treatment procedure prescribed by the physician. However, in some cases, medication may be stopped early by the patient. Some studies have reported that the most important reason for having unused or expired pharmaceuticals in household is recovery [ 1 , 27 ]. Other reported reasons were a change in treatment by the doctor and feeling well [ 28 ]. In our study, we showed that approximately half of the medicines were not used. The presence of unused medicines in households might be related to self-medication. In our study the prevalence of self-medication was 94.1%. Analgesics, common cold and muscle relaxants of the pharmaceuticals were found to be the most commonly used pharmaceuticals without consulting a physician. This finding was reported by Kumar et al. (2013) as 78.6% [ 29 ], by Niromand et al. (2020) as 72% [ 30 ], by Abdi et al. (2018) as 89.6% [ 31 ], and by Bahzadifar et al. (2020) as 70.1%. In the same study, it was reported as 97.2% in medical students and 44.7% in non-medical students [ 32 ]. According to the findings of a local study, the prevalence of self-medication was 64.3%, and it was found that analgesics, antibiotics and cold pharmaceuticals were mostly used in this way [ 33 ]. In another study, analgesics, antibiotics and antacid pharmaceuticals came to the forefront [ 34 ]. When we compare the findings of previous studies with our finding, it is possible to say that a finding similar to the literature has emerged when the number and quantity of unused pharmaceuticals at home are taken into consideration and that the prevalence related to self-medication is one of the highest findings in the literature.

According to findings, there is a significant quantity and number of unused pharmaceuticals with various active ingredients in households. It was observed that the unused pharmaceuticals were used without consulting a physician, were not disposed of properly, and some of them had expired. Considering the conditions associated with pharmaceuticals, this situation points to a significant public health problem for both people and environment. The public urgently needs to be informed about the use of pharmaceuticals. The accumulation resulting from any discontinuation of pharmaceutical therapy needs to be monitored and updated public health policies and legislation are required. In addition, a “drug take-back system” for unused pharmaceuticals may be useful in solving this problem.

Limits of the study

This study has some limitations. The limitations of this study included the fact that a significant portion of the study data was collected by online method, that it was based on the statements and practices of the participants, and that some pharmaceuticals might not be reported by the participants considering that they were related to privacy and research data were collected from a single center.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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SK Carried out the study design and execution of the research work and writing of the initial draft of the manuscript. SK Writing and expert review of the manuscript. SK Reviewed the statistical analysis for appropriate writing of the manuscript and expert review of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Köksoy, S. Unused, expired pharmaceuticals and their disposal practices among the general public in Burdur-Türkiye: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 24 , 1303 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18788-0

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Received : 19 December 2023

Accepted : 07 May 2024

Published : 13 May 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18788-0

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