Smart Solution Book, The

David Cotton spent 21 years with Arthur Andersen and PwC before becoming a freelance trainer in 2002. He has worked in four continents and more than 40 countries, delivering a wide range of training in management, leadership, communication skills, business networking, confidence building, dealing with difficult people, change management, business strategy, coaching and mentoring.David’s clients span local and national government and nearly every industry sector and include the European Parliament, European Commission and many of its agencies, the United Nations, BBC, Syrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Russian Federal Commission, Croatian MOD, PwC, most of the major Middle Eastern oil and gas companies, Manchester Business School and many others.He has published scores of articles and more than a dozen books, including Key Management Development Models (FT Publishing, 2015).

“The essential guide for any problem solving situation. Effective, practical and very accessible. Highly recommended.” Chris Garthwaite, CEO CGA Consulting  "There isn't a single individual or organisation that could fail to benefit from the many practical approaches to problem-solving in this book. Everyone should read it!” Andrew Hilton, Managing Director, Corporate Training Partnerships Ltd  “F. Durrenmatt says 'What concerns everyone, can only be solved by everyone' - and David's book is the practical guide to getting everyone fully engaged with a creative technique to solve any of your challenges.” Peter Schwanh™ußer, Partner, papilio ag, Zurich

• About the authorAcknowledgementsIntroductionPart 1 - Which tools to use and whenTools for broad problem areasTools for specific problemsPart 2 - Problem solving essentialsBarriers to problem solvingFraming a problemStages in problem solvingPreparation for group problem solvingEquipment neededPart 3 - Problem solving techniques for individuals and small groups1. Force field analysis and graphical force field analysis2. Tough questions3. Ritual dissent (and ritual assent)4. Brain-friendly brainstorming5. Reverse brainstorming6. Procrastination7. Cartesian logic8. Brainwriting9. Individual and collective mind mapping10. Structured walkthroughs11. Life through a lens12. Nominal group technique13. GROW for problem-solving14. Head/Heart-Push/Pull15. Osborne-Parnes critical problem solving process16. Appreciative inquiry17. Competitive ideas18. Why not?19. MUSE20. Ishikawa fishbone diagrams21. Deming’s PDSA Cycle (The ‘Shewhart Cycle’)22. 3D stakeholder mapping23. Two words technique24. The association grid25. Delphi technique26. Lotus blossom technique27. Photographic associations28. Random word technique29. Challenging assumptions30. Metaphorical problem-solving31. Who else has solved this problem?32. How-How?33. The 5 Whys/Question Everything34. Jelly Baby Tree35. Future shock36. What if?37. What if we didn’t?38. Reframing39. Ripple effect (systems thinking)40. What I need from you41. Concentration diagrams42. Pareto analysis – simplified version43. Solution effect analysis44. The work map45. Competing values framework46. Timelining47. One question48. Peer assist49. Action learning50. Story circles51. Swim Lane diagrams (Rummler-Brache diagrams)Part 4 - Large group problem solving techniques52. Crawford’s Slip53. Charrette Procedure54. Starbursting55. Open space56. World café57. Pro-action cafePart 5 - Problem solving business gamesWhen and how to use business games58. Retirement speeches59. Convince me60. Evolution61. It’s in the news62. The trial63. Tortoise and hare64. Art gallery65. Proverbial problem solving66. There are no rules67. Documentary68. Pitch PerfectPart 6 – Sharing and implementing solutionsSharing solutionsImplementing solutions