Last time, we talked about the fishbone diagram, a model that can be used to solve any problem, especially ones relating to business. Today, I want to inform you about the productive thinking model. The productive thinking model is just like the fishbone diagram in that they were both made in order to help you solve problems. This model has six different steps to it. The first three are just asking questions in order to better recognize the problem you are facing and the possible and favorable outcomes of solving that problem. So, let us go over all of the six steps.
The first step states that you must familiarize yourself with the problem. This means that you need to ask yourself what the problem is, what general information you know about the problem, and etc. Overall, you just want to understand what problem you are facing and what/who is involved with the problem.
The second step tells you to try and figure out what solution will create a favorable outcome for you and your company. You can achieve this by pondering about what the solution should achieve, what it should not achieve, and what limitations you have to a solution(i.e, you might have limited materials or funding for a solution).
The third step states that you have to ask yourself questions that will lead to the preferable solution when answered. These questions are to be made by you, but starting off questions with the words “why” and “how” can help you formulate questions.
The fourth step is essentially making you solve the questions that you constructed in the previous step. You should have many different answers and ideas for each question. Do not worry if an idea seems inadequate. It is still an idea that could possibly be a better solution, even if it does not look like it at first.
The fifth step is just reducing all the answers from step four down to whichever is the best. Once you finish this, start brainstorming on how you are going to implement those solutions.
The final step instructs you to plan and start carrying out the solution(s) that you formed. Make sure that you know what materials and people are required. Once you finally have a plan and have your resources, you can get to assembling your solutions.
Source: Productive Thinking Model (toolshero.com)
Overall, using this thinking process will be essential in your road to becoming a successful entrepreneur. This model will definitely get you out of most sticky situations. In the meantime, enjoy other blogs I have posted, such as my Fishbone Diagram Blog. Please read any other posts I have put up!