Charles Conn

Definitely one of the most comprehensive books about problem-solving, covering 7 problem-solving steps, crazily-detailed examples with lots of decision/logic trees etc. It's so detailed that it gets confusing in many parts.
Basically, you'll learn:
• The 7 steps of the Bulletproof Problem Solving approach, including how to: define the problem clearly, disaggregate the problem into its component parts, prioritize the crucial elements and prune away the rest, develop a workplan, analyze the problem objectively, synthesize your findings, and communicate the findings.
• Specific tips and examples to apply the 7 steps above for various types of problems, including problems with long timeframes, high levels of uncertainty and complexity.

Book summary at: https://readingraphics.com/book-summary-bulletproof-problem-solving/… (meer)

I was introduced to this book by my daughter who had worked at McKinsey's with Rob McLean....one of the authors. I must admit to some scepticism about one sort of methodology that supposedly fits all problems ..yet this was what was being offered. I have come away from the book profoundly impressed. It's logical, systematic and clear. The book is well written and edited and the diagrams illuminate it really well. They start off with some rather homely examples of using their methodology to problem solve ....and yes: it seems to work. In fact, I'd already used a variant on their methodology for finding a place to live. And, to their credit they do point out some of the flaws in this methodology......you might have got the weighting factors wrong ...but you can change them. You might have missed something important....well you can go back and include it. etc.
They define seven steps in their method:
1. Define the problem
2. Disaggregate the issues
3. Prioritise the issues: prune the tree
4. Build a workplan and timetable
5. Conduct critical analyses ...start with rules of thumb
6. Synthesize findings from the analysis
7. Prepare a powerful communication.
Actually, this is a classic consultant's approach....where it finishes with the communication. I actually lived through a Mckinsey review and reorganisation of my organisation and the real work and pain came well after the "powerful communication" was delivered. There probably need to be a number of steps after the powerful communication like: getting the stakeholders committed, being prepared to modify the plan in the light of practical issues about implementation. Ours was a government organisation but it practically ground to a halt during the re-organisation and would have gone broke had it been a private company. And some of the recommendations ....though they made sense politically were really destructive in reality. Most of the major recommendations from the powerful communication were implemented in the short term and unwound over the longer term.
So their methodology is fine in terms of coming to an intellectual decision about how to proceed. But the devil is in the actual implementation and it seems to me that this is not necessarily covered in the 7 steps. (Some of it is...eg with the work on building salmon stocks they do consider some of the difficulties of implementation. But that's not necessarily part of their 7 steps). However, I quibble. Overall it's a great book and I will be coming back and referring to it and recommending it to others.
Clearly the authors have an absolute wealth of experience as consultants in applying this methodology and clearly it works.....well in most cases. (I admit to being fascinated by their "wicked" problems at the end. And to being impressed by their example. I've recently been looking at innovative measures in exporting which involve export clusters...something like cooperatives. And, as one of the participants noted...it comes down to trust. All works well as long as every body does their bit and trust is justified. But when somebody takes a short cut and trust is abused the whole pyramid can come crashing down unless there is considerable resilience and redundancy built in).
I especially liked their 10 points at the end: words of encouragement:
1. Take the time up front to really understand your problem
2. Get started with nothing more than a problem statement
3. Try several cuts at the tree
4. Use a team whenever you can
5. Make the right investment in a good workplan
6. Start your analysis with summary statistics, heuristics, and rules of thumb to get a feel for the data and the solution space.
7 Don't be afraid to employ big analytic guns when required
8. Put as much effort into synthesis and telling the story as doing the analysis
9. Treat the 7 steps process like an accordion ....compressing or expanding steps
10 Don't be intimidated by any problem you face.
I also liked the set of the top skills needed in 2020: complex problem solving, Critical thinking, Creativity, People management, Coordinating with others etc.
All in all...a great book and surprisingly easy to read. I give it 5 stars.… (meer)