Stage 1 - Problem Definition

The Basic Idea

This stage is so slow because it is necessary to look below the presenting problem to see if that is the real problem. Frequently it is not. This stage can take up to 50% of the time used in solving a problem. This stage is often completed intuitively, by using checklists or rules of thumb, and a strong commitment to the question "why".

The Gifts Model can be very helpful in selecting someone to work on a specific type of problem, owing to the type of things people strong in those gifts tend to notice quickly.

Churchill (234) notes that the results that are obtained at this level of investigation are "tentative certainty" at best but which also is sometimes sufficient. If sufficient understanding of a problem is attained at this stage, the person can move directly to stage six, taking action. If it is necessary to push further for more information it is time to move to stage two and do a situation analysis

Off-Line Resources

On-Line Resources

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