Problem Analysis™ | Problem-Solving Training Activity

• To develop problem-solving strategies
• To organise themselves and brainstorm ideas
• To think logically and analytically (risk analysis)
• To identify problems and critical information

Rainbow Textiles has suspended production and losses are mounting. Can you trace the cause of the mysterious mark on many of the clothes - and save the business?

You have a full brief and details of the factory. A Databank managed by the facilitator holds all the relevant data about the factory, the staff, possible causes. Teams can only access it via written request. What should you ask for? As the data builds, you gain a clearer picture, but there are plenty of red herrings along the way! You’ll develop a problem-solving strategy; a step-by-step logic or brainstorming or both. Can you use your problem analysis skills to pinpoint the problem?

The exercise looks at the pros and cons of different strategies as well as examining the way groups organise themselves, resolve conflict, communicate and retrieve data. It highlights the need to obtain full details, think logically and to ask the right questions.

1. Introduce the activity.
2. Divide participants into teams and issue copies of the Briefing Sheet.
3. Set times when the Databank is open and accept up to 10 questions from each syndicate. Hand groups the appropriate Datacards that answer the questions asked.
4. Allow time for analysis and then take another round of questions, up to a maximum of three rounds.
5. Call upon each group to make a presentation – of the problem and how best it can be rectified.
6. Lead a discussion on how the teams worked and how they might have improved performance.

Full guidance supplied in the Trainer’s Notes.

• Trainer’s Notes
• Team Briefs
• Sets of 36 Cards
• Data Request Form
• Card Index
• Card Log
• Handout - Teamwork & Problem-Solving

This activity is for face-to-face classroom use. It is supplied as a hard copy pack and the digital files are supplied via the Northgate Trainerhub.

This Northgate Training activity comes with a five-year licence for repeat use with up to 24 participants at a time, for use by Trainers based at one licence-holding site.

All Trainers physically based at the same office location can access the Northgate resources during the five-year term, including the digital resources supplied on the Trainerhub via your own site-specific Trainer Dashboard. If you have Trainers based at other locations, and/or remote workers, who would like to access and use the Northgate resources, we can advise further depending on your requirements.

For further information on our licence terms please view the Northgate Licence Agreement.