WOW #039: 4 Step Problem Solving

Quote of the Week:
“It is better to solve one problem five different ways, than to solve five problems one way.”
- George Polya

Problems are easy to spot.

But, do you spend enough time truly understanding them? 

In our rush to solve day-to-day business problems, we size them up in a hurry. In doing so, we forget critical details and make half-baked assumptions.

George Polya was a Hungarian - American mathematician, also known as “The Father of Modern Mathematical Problem Solving.” He was a Professor at Stanford from 1940-53. Polya was so respected he currently has 3 distinguished awards given out annually in his name, (2 in the US, 1 in the UK).

In his work, Polya realized that many of his students never fully understood the problems they were trying to solve. He taught teachers the proper ways to prompt students through deeper questioning:

“Are you able to restate the problem in your own words?”
“Is there enough information to enable you to find a solution?”
“Do you need to ask more questions to get to an answer?”

Polya would use other questions, (depending on the circumstances and problems), and while it sounds obvious, how often do we take time to fully assess the business problems we face before springing into fixer mode?

In his book “How to Solve It,” Polya outlines his 4 steps to problem-solving:

1. Understand the Problem.
2. Devise a Plan.
3. Carry out the Plan.
4. Look Back and Reflect. 

It was first published by Princeton University Press in 1945 and has remained in print continually ever since. 

Problem solving is a great skill and whether it’s Math, Business, Politics, or Law, it's a skill that can be sharpened and improved.

It all starts with a true and comprehensive understanding of the problem in front of you.

2 Takeaways:

1. Gather Insights from Related Problems. Polya advised his students, “If you can’t solve the proposed problem, try to first solve some related problem. Could you imagine a more accessible problem?” While problems differ, solutions are often transferrable.
   
2. Document Previously Solved Problems and Processes. This is the best way to carry out Step 2 and 3 of Polya’s plan. When you take inventory, choosing an appropriate strategy becomes infinitely easier. Know-how and steps taken before are easily forgotten.
   
   

1 Action:

Consider Step 4 in Polya’s methodology, "Look Back and Reflect."

Think of a recent business problem that took considerable time and effort before you found a solution. It could be technical, financial, sales-related, etc.

- Did you spend enough time asking questions and framing the problem before diving into action?
- Did you have a “written or digital database” at the ready to help you draw from similar problems?
- After solving this particular problem, did you document the learnings and ideas that might help solve future problems?

Have a great week everyone,

Hubert