Problem solving is a valuable and essential skill not only in the business world but also in your personal life. Discovering ways to solve complex and difficult problems involves intelligent decision making and analyzing the techniques that work for certain dilemmas. Many techniques have been used and have proven to be successful when solving a problem, such as completing a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis, writing a pro and con list, and group brainstorming.

Brainstorming, especially with a group, is a valuable technique to employ when attempting to resolve a complicated problem or make a difficult decision. When utilizing the brainstorming technique, it is important to keep some key guidelines into mind.

Keep the Numbers Low

A group of people, all with different ideas and points of views, can be valuable when trying to solve a problem. Keep in mind, however, that too many people will only take up precious time and may cause conflict. Try to keep the numbers down (five to eight people if possible) in order to provide adequate deliberation time and attention.

Use Every Idea

Brainstorming is no time to hold back on your thoughts and feelings. Any idea that comes to mind should not go to waste. The more ideas provided, the more likely a resolution to your problem will surface. Sometimes it just takes some digging and if that means digging through seemingly outrageous ideas to generate a solution, so be it!

Write It All Down

Just speaking about problem solving will not likely solve the problem. All ideas must be recorded so they can be reviewed after all options have been considered. Reviewing the ideas you have all contributed will paint a clear picture in order to help solve your problem.

Determine the Best Solution

When all ideas have been stated and recorded, it is now time to determine the best solution to your problem. Using the majority vote method, have the group silently approve or disapprove each idea so as not to influence one another either way. This can be done by individually marking their thoughts on a piece of paper. The paper will then have to be reviewed and then the majority shared by the leader of the group.

Implement a Plan of Action

Solving a problem doesn't just involve determining a solution; it also means putting the solution into action. As with the first part of a brainstorming session, an action plan will again be a time when the group must be involved, providing ideas and opinions. All group members must then collectively vote and establish who is responsible for which task in a specific time frame.

Evaluate your Plan

Brainstorming isn't truly over until the chosen course of action has been implemented and finalized. There is no better way to determine how effective your solution was than through evaluation. This helps establish what has worked or not worked for a specific problem in case it should reoccur in the future. Evaluations usually take the form of surveys and are often done individually.