Chad SturtzA Journey Through Software

Over the past 5 years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many people who were very knowledgeable in many different areas.  However, one thing I’ve come to realize all too often is that when it comes to solving difficult problems, knowledge is, at most, half the battle.  Time and time again I have seen people struggle at solving a problem they did not immediately know the answer to.  Without a suite of problem solving skills, the value of their knowledge of the problem domain quickly diminishes.  These are the times when the Problem Solvers step in and get the job done.

So, who are the real problem solvers?

Visionaries – The greatest Problem Solvers can very quickly identify a clear path to success.  From this vision they are able to generate a plan of attack that will strategically expose the root problem and find the correct solution(s).

Leaders – As a leader, the Problem Solver is able to coordinate the effort.  They break the the plan of attack down into individual tasks that can be executed in parallel by the resources at hand.

Enablers – Possibly the most important skill a Problem Solver has is the ability to remove roadblocks or find alternative paths.  The key to solving a problem quickly is to never stop.  The Problem Solver recognizes this and focuses on getting himself/herself and others whatever it is they need to identify and fix the issue.

Communicators – Solving problems requires that the right people have the right information.  The Problem Solver is able to recognize important data and ensure that the information is shared.  Furthermore, they identify all available communication channels and use them effectively.

Adaptive - The Problem Solver knows that any new discovery can change everything.  At a moment’s notice, they are able to shift resources, open new communication channels, and devise an entirely new plan of attack.