• Clarify and define the problem
• Gather information
• Identify possible solutions
• Evaluate potential solutions
• Decide on solution
• Evaluate feedback
• Improve the solution
• Complete the project

Understanding The Process

Clarify and define the problem

The first thing we need to do to solve any problem is to clearly define the problem. We also need to clearly define what we want our outcome to achieve. 

Gather information

Consider all possible sources for gathering information to evaluate the problem and identify solutions. 

If this is a widely researched topic there should be a lot of secondary information that can be used. It’s possible someone else has also encountered this problem before too, so you could potentially model a similar solution after what they found worked. 

If this is a unique problem or goal for your organization you will have to take the time to complete primary research. 

Identify possible solutions

After you have gathered enough information to make well informed decisions you can begin to identify solutions. Don’t worry about the quality of these solutions. You want to allow yourself to creatively think through solutions. Sometimes a new problem will require some serious creativity. When developing a list of solutions, you will probably start to notice some overlap that might give you the opportunity to combine some of these ideas to create the best solution. 

Evaluate potential solutions

When you are evaluating these potential solutions there are a few different things you should keep in mind. 

• How quickly can you start using this solution?
• How will this affect the client experience?
• What resources do I need to start using this solution?
• Is this the most effective solution?

Decide on solution

This step sounds the most obvious, but it is actually the step that most people will have a problem with. If we have done all of the other steps correctly, the right answer will usually reveal itself. 

One of the most important things in making decisions in leadership is to avoid being indecisive. This can’t be stressed enough. You need to go all in on the best decision and give every effort to make it work. 

Evaluate feedback

Establish feedback loops so you can monitor the process and find out how people feel about the solution. 

Improve the solution

After you have had days or weeks for feedback, start finding ways to make improvements. Keep moving forward but don’t let the sunk cost keep you from making major changes if they need to be made. 

Complete the project

At this point, you should have found a solution and completed your project. This is what leadership is all about, getting things done. 

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If you are going to manage projects that have several moving parts, it’s important to be able to organize the logistics of each operation to assure everything will seamlessly work together. Having one individual operation not get done on time can throw off the schedule for an entire operation. Although this could be the fault of one specific team or individual, a real leader will not blame someone else for a project going off schedule. As a leader you also have to make sure each team has the resources and talent needed to get things done on schedule.

There are several different things that someone can do to become better at managing time. Use the following tips to help manage your time better.

Tips For Managing Time

Clearly define your goal

Before you can start on a project You need to have a roadmap for how things are going to get done . Clearly define the different goals at different stages of the project that you will need to accomplish . from there you can continue to break each goal down into clear steps and tasks that need to be completed.

Set Priorities

Author Stephen Covey teaches using an Eisenhower Matrix to identify tasks as either important not important or urgent and non-emergent. Things that are high priority and urgent should be handled and scheduled first. If something is low importance and not urgent, schedule for later.

Use Google Task

On any computer or cell phone, you can use the Google tasks app to make an ongoing to do lists of everything you need to get done. The app also lets you make multiple lists, so you can organize different projects that you are working on.

Use Google Calendar To Organize Tasks

Once you Have opened up Google Calendar , on the right hand side you will see the Google task icon. from here you can open Google tasks on one side of your screen and then you can actually drag the different tasks into the calendar to organize your calendar for the day or the week.For this step you will have to use a computer, I have not found a way to do this on a cell phone.

Focus On One Thing

Gary Keller Wrote a great book on time management where he talks about focusing on one thing at a time. There are many studies that talk about how much more effective it is to focus on one thing at a time rather than trying to multitask several different things at once. When people try to work on several different things at once, all of the things end up taking more time than if they just worked on one thing at a time.

What Can Be Removed?

When you are creating your list of tasks that need to be completed, always ask yourself if any of these things can be removed. reevaluate each item on the list and ask yourself if it is really crucial for the overall project.

When should you not schedule something?

You can quickly take scheduling things beyond being efficient, and start scheduling things that you should just get done immediately. A good rule is, if something takes less than two minutes, just do it now. Scheduling a small task like this becomes inefficient and actually ends up taking more time than just getting the task done.

Action Steps

• Clearly define your goals.
• Make a list of tasks
• Schedule in order of importance.

Be mindful of how you spend your time. It is your most important resource!

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