6. Evaluation, monitoring and seeking feedback
Evaluation is probably the step most groups under emphasize when problem solving. The reason is involvement of time, cost, political climate, uneasiness in evaluation, and fear of being challenged in their decided upon solution.
However, evaluation is essential in determining the effectiveness of the solution.
The group should decide how comprehensive the evaluation should be based upon the complexity of the problem and the decided solution.
This last stage also reviews outcomes of problem solving over a period of time, including seeking feedback as to the success of the outcomes of the chosen solution.
The only way for an individual or group to improve their problem solving, is to look at how they have solved problems in the past.
Ways of obtaining feedback include:
· Monitoring
· Questionnaires
· Follow-up phone calls
· Asking others who may have been affected by your decisions.
It is important to encourage people to be honest when seeking feedback, regardless whether it is positive or negative.
Problem solving is an ongoing process that is an integral part of everyday life either at home or at work. A problem must first be felt, understood, and alternative choices created before effective groups can consider its solution, implement the decision, and evaluate how well the solution is working.
Evaluation is probably the step most groups under emphasize when problem solving. The reason is involvement of time, cost, political climate, uneasiness in evaluation, and fear of being challenged in their decided upon solution.
However, evaluation is essential in determining the effectiveness of the solution.
The group should decide how comprehensive the evaluation should be based upon the complexity of the problem and the decided solution.
This last stage also reviews outcomes of problem solving over a period of time, including seeking feedback as to the success of the outcomes of the chosen solution.
The only way for an individual or group to improve their problem solving, is to look at how they have solved problems in the past.
Ways of obtaining feedback include:
· Monitoring
· Questionnaires
· Follow-up phone calls
· Asking others who may have been affected by your decisions.
It is important to encourage people to be honest when seeking feedback, regardless whether it is positive or negative.
Problem solving is an ongoing process that is an integral part of everyday life either at home or at work. A problem must first be felt, understood, and alternative choices created before effective groups can consider its solution, implement the decision, and evaluate how well the solution is working.