Problem Solving & Decision Making
Problem Analysis
Production at Rainbow Textiles has been shut down and losses are mounting. Can teams trace what is causing the mysterious mark appearing on so many of their clothes - and save the business? A Databank holds all the relevant data but teams can only access it via written request. What should we ask for?
How it works
Teams working as ‘consultants’ are asked to solve the problem that is affecting production at the Rainbow Textiles factory. They are given a full brief and details of the factory layout. Additional information is available on request, from a databank of details about the factory, its staff and possible causes of the problem - but there are plenty of red herrings along the way!
What it does
Groups develop their own problem-solving strategy - either using step-by-step logic or brainstorming - or both. The exercise allows interesting analysis of these strategies as well as an examination of the way groups organise themselves, resolve conflict, communicate and retrieve data.
Customer feedback
A superb package to promote and stimulate analytical thinking and risk analysis.
– S. Thompson, The Stock Exchange
We use Problem Analysis on a short, basic management programme and is extremely useful in giving participants something practical rather than theoretical.
– D. Hutchinson, Kay&Co
An excellent exercise. We use Problem Analysis on our supervisory development progarmme as an introduction to the whole subject of problem-solving and decision-making.
– K. O'Connor, Hotel Group (name withheld)