PROBLEM

In order to solve a problem, there must be clear understanding (explanation) of what the problem is. Within an organization it's common for people to disagree about what the problem is. With different backgrounds, experience and areas of expertise, it's normal for people to see problems differently. The facilitator of the root cause analysis should plan on some disagreement. Instead of a subjective, opinionated debate, defining a problem can be an objective discussion. While this may seem unrealistic to anyone who's witnessed a group of people arguing about the problem, it's surprisingly straightforward to accomplish. Simply define the problem, not from any individual's point of view, but from the organization's perspective - the impact to the organization's goals... A problem is generally defined as a state of difficulty. People use the word problem for anything they view as "not good" - big or small. Think of the term problem as a useful label that provides insight into someone's..