Lean Tip
#3691 - Use a Fishbone Diagram to See Cause and Effect
The most
important part of defining the problem is looking at the possible root cause.
You'll need to ask yourself questions like: Where and when is it happening? How
is it occurring? With whom is it happening? Why is it happening?
You can
get to the root cause with a fishbone diagram (also known as an Ishikawa
diagram or a cause and effect diagram).
Basically,
you put the effect on the right side as the problem statement. Then you list
all possible causes on the left, grouped into larger cause categories. The
resulting shape resembles a fish skeleton. Which is a perfect way to say,
"This problem smells fishy."
Lean Tip
#3692 – Use Analogies to Get a Solution
Analogical
thinking uses information from one area to help with a problem in a different
area. In short, solving a different problem can lead you to find a solution to
the actual problem. Watch out though! Analogies are difficult for beginners and
take some getting used to.
Lean Tip
#3693 – Ask “12 What Elses”
When
faced with a problem, ask yourself a question about it and brainstorm 12
answers ("12 what elses") to that problem. Then you can go further by
taking one answer, turning it into a question and generating 12 more "what
elses." Repeat until the solution is golden brown, fully baked, and ready
to take out of the oven.
Lean Tip
#3694 – Hurson's Six-Step Productive Thinking Mofle for Solving Problems
Creatively
In his
book "Think Better," author and creativity guru Tim Hurson proposed a
six-step model for solving problems creatively. The steps in his Productive
Thinking Model are:
- Ask, "What is going on?" Define
the problem and its impact on your company, then clarify your vision for the
future.
- Ask, "What is success?" Define
what the solution must do, what resources it needs, its scope, and the values
it must uphold.
- Ask, "What is the question?" Generate
a long list of questions that, when answered, will solve the problem.
- Generate answers. Answer
the questions from step three.
- Forge the solution. Evaluate
the ideas with potential based on the criteria from step two. Pick a solution.
- Align resources. Identify
people and resources to execute the solution.
Lean Tip
#3695 - Use the Kipling Method to Define Your Problem
The
Kipling Method, named after Rudyard Kipling's poem "I Keep Six Honest
Serving Men," is a popular system used to define problems. It highlights
six important questions you can ask the next time need to overcome a challenge.
These six questions are:
- What is the problem?
- Why is the problem important?
- When did the problem arise and when does it
need to be solved?
- How did the problem happen?
- Where is the problem occurring?
- Who does the problem affect?
Answering
each of these questions can help you identify what steps you need to take next
to solve it.
Lean Tip
#3696 – Clearly Define Roles and Responsibilities for Every Team Member
When team
members are unsure of their own tasks and responsibilities, it often creates
tension within a team. It is important for each team member to know exactly
what he or she is responsible for so that there is no overlap in projects. If
multiple employees are working on the same task due to confusion in
responsibility, invaluable time and team effort spent on the task are wasted.
Each individual should have responsibility in reaching the team goals as well
as the tools and mutual support to obtain good results. Setting clear goals for
each team member will help keep people aligned on their assigned tasks and
responsibilities.
Lean Tip
#3697 – Encourage Clear, Frequent Communication
As the
saying goes, communication is key! Though this sounds like basic knowledge,
it’s often passed over when analyzing how to improve teamwork in the workplace.
We know that maintaining clear, frequent communication – especially with large
and/or remote teams – is easier said than done. Clear and frequent
communication will ensure that all team members are on the same page, leading
to more accurate work being completed on a shorter timeline. Strong
communication also helps to build trust between team members, thus improving
the overall performance of the team.
Lean Tip
#3698 – Give Teams Autonomy in Decision-Making
Trusting
your team members with making their own decisions is important in building
trust and improving teamwork. Oftentimes, if people don’t have the autonomy and
power to make decisions regarding their own work, they will begin to resent
their work, thus hindering the work of the entire team. In order to keep team
members engaged and working hard, it’s important to provide all members with
the freedom to make their own decisions.
Lean Tip
#3699 – Manage Team Meetings Wisely
Team
meetings, however often they happen, should be used to plan, brainstorm,
reflect, and share ideas. It’s important to keep team meetings focused and
useful, in order to drive productivity. No matter how often teams meet, they
should have a structured plan for each meeting. This will help to keep meetings
organized and productive, thus driving team performance. Meetings are a time
for team collaboration, brainstorming, and creating a plan to move forward with
projects.
Lean Tip
#3700 – Provide the Team with Learning Opportunities
How can
we expect everyone to be perfect team players if they’ve never actually learned
how to work on a team project? How to work on a team may sound obvious to some
people, but it does not come naturally for everyone. To maximize the benefits
of teamwork in the workplace, it is important to provide your team with proper
training and guidance. Providing learning opportunities will not only enhance
teamwork skills, but will also increase employees’ engagement and job
satisfaction. Workshops and qualified guest speakers from outside of the
organization are a great way to ensure that all team members understand the
importance of teamwork in the workplace as well as how to be an effective team
member.
Lean Tip
#3701 – Set Clear Team Goals
Setting
clear goals is the first step towards effective teamwork. Goals provide
direction and purpose, and they help team members understand what they are
working towards. It’s important to set goals at both the team and individual
levels. Team goals help to align everyone’s efforts, while individual goals
help each team member understand their role and contribution to the team.
Setting
clear milestones is also crucial. Milestones are like signposts on the road to
success. They help you track progress, identify issues, and celebrate
achievements. So, don’t just set goals, but also define clear milestones to
guide your team’s journey.
Lean Tip
#3702 – Make Communication a Priority in Your Team
Communication
is the lifeblood of any team. Effective teamwork requires regular communication
that keeps everyone on the same page and fosters a sense of camaraderie. One
way to facilitate communication is through daily huddles or standups. These
meetings provide a platform for team members to share their completed tasks,
upcoming focus, and potential obstacles.
Regular
check-ins also enhance collaboration and teamwork. They allow team members to
share their progress, ask for help, and offer support to others. So, make
communication a priority in your team, and watch as it transforms your team’s
dynamics and performance.
Lean Tip
#3703 – Create Psychological Safety for Team Members
Psychological
safety is a state where team members feel comfortable taking risks, speaking
up, and sharing failures. It’s a culture where people feel safe to be
themselves and express their thoughts and ideas. Creating such a culture
requires encouraging a safe environment for interpersonal risks and
disagreements, embracing failures as learning opportunities, and modeling
vulnerability and trust as a leader.
Remember,
a team that fears making mistakes will never innovate. So, foster a culture of
psychological safety, and watch as your team becomes a hotbed of creativity and
innovation.
Lean Tip
#3704 – Disagree Respectfully
Disagreements
are inevitable in any team. However, it’s how you handle these disagreements
that determines the success of your team. Encourage your team members to
disagree respectfully and value diverse ideas and opinions. This not only
prevents conflicts but also leads to better decisions and solutions.
Active
listening and asking questions instead of making statements can be a powerful
tool in this regard. It helps to explore the assumptions behind differing ideas
and promotes understanding and respect. So, don’t fear disagreements, but use
them as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Lean Tip
#3705 – Celebrate Small Wins
Don’t forget to celebrate small wins and
milestones. Celebrations not only boost morale but also foster a sense of
achievement and appreciation. Regularly share and celebrate individual and team
wins, recognize contributions, and create a culture of appreciation and
motivation.
Remember,
a team that feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected. So,
make it a habit to celebrate small wins, and watch as your team’s motivation
and performance soar.
