7002P1E020503-031717002PR

Management consulting

FM UK seminar – Problem definition

November 12, 2003

2

AGENDA: PROBLEM DEFINITION

• Introduction to Problem definition

• Solving cases in break-up groups

• Discussion

• Solving selected case together

• Introduction to Structuring

• Case homework

Dis

cuss

ion

Timing

15 minutes

45 minutes

30 minutes

30 minutes

30 minutes

10 minutes

3

EFFECTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS CONSISTS OF 6 STEPS

Prioritizing AnalysisProblem definition

SynthesisStructuringWork-planning? !Problem Solution

• Understand what is the core of the problem

• Oct 29 – Nov 13

• Objective

• Timing

• Emphasis during seminar

Quick introduction

Detailed covering

• Break-down the ‘big problem’ into easy pieces

• Oct 29 – Nov 13

• Assess the implementation impact and difficulty of each piece

• Nov 20

• Assign the- ‘what’- ‘who’- ‘when’to each piece

• Nov 20

• Give a bullet-proof answer to each piece

• Nov 20

• Bring answers of the little pieces together to see the ‘so-what’

• Nov 27 – Dec 10

Focus of class today

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• Comments on the situation and complication

ADDITIONAL 5 ELEMENTS SHOULD BE DEFINED AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS

• Define on what basis will the decision makers chose whether or not to act upon the recommendation

• Provide clear example what will be considered as success

• Understand what ‘items’ are to be entailed by the solution – i.e. time horizon, financial impact, people involved

• Identify who will decide whether to act upon recommendation

• Identify persons who may seek to block recommendations

Basic question to be resolved

Decision makers

Perspective / Context

Criteria for success

Constraints within solution space

Scope of solution space

• Define what are the limits for solutions to be considered

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CORRECT DEFINITION OF ‘BASIC QUESTIONTO BE RESOLVED’ IS A FIRST STEP TOWARD SUCCESS

How can I increase quality of lectures?

Basic question to be resolved should be:• Complete• Concise• Specific

• Actionable

Basic question to be resolved should be:• Complete• Concise• Specific

• Actionable

“Commitment of students is low and almost half of the graduate students are working full-time”

“Commitment of students is low and almost half of the graduate students are working full-time”

“Number of international lecturers has decreased dramatically”

“Number of international lecturers has decreased dramatically”

“Number of students have increased by 300% in last 5 years”

“Number of students have increased by 300% in last 5 years”

“The quality of services is poor – new foreign books are not available in library, copying and printing materials is time consuming, student department is inflexible…”

“The quality of services is poor – new foreign books are not available in library, copying and printing materials is time consuming, student department is inflexible…”

“Many teachers often don’t provide students with knowledge they need in future management career”

“Many teachers often don’t provide students with knowledge they need in future management career”

How can I increase quality and attractiveness of lectures?

How can I increase quality, attractivenessand attendance(availability) of lectures?

How can I increase quality, attractiveness and availability of lectures for students ?

learning opportunities

How can I enhance learning opportunities for FM UK students ?

learning opportunities

How can I enhance learning opportunities and experience for FM UK students in 2 years within current budget ?