Essential Problem-Solving
Essential Problem-Solving (CPS) is an approach to solving problems in a team environment. Team members are taught the critical skills and behaviors needed to work together to define problems, identify root cause(s), implement and sustain solutions using a three-phase problem-solving model:
- Problem / Opportunity Phase – establish team; define problem; implement & verify containment action as appropriate; analyze for root cause
- Solution Phase – generate and select solution(s);
- Implementation Phase – plan & implement solution(s); validate solution; sustain the gains
Workshop
Description: Teams arrive at training with an assigned problem to solve involving their daily work. Training includes team-building, hands-on exercises, and time dedicated to working on assigned problem. At the conclusion of the workshop, team members will:
• Understand the essential ingredients for working with others to solve problems,
• Understand how to apply the problem-solving model to a variety of improvement
opportunities,
• Understand and demonstrate the use of data-based problem-solving tools to 1) analyze problems, 2) generate and evaluate solutions, and 3) implement solutions,
• Learn the skills needed to 1) reach agreement with others and 2) maintain a creative problem-solving environment,
• Learn how to set the problem-solving team up for success.
• Learn how to sustain the solution over time (sustain the gains)
Length: Three days. Day 1 and Day 2 of training will be two consecutive days. Day 3 will be held
approximately one month later. Teams will be expected to work the first two phases for their
assigned problem between sessions and report progress at Day 3.
Materials: training materials and handouts, laminated job aids and Memory Jogger 2 book for
each participant.