One challenge I frequently encounter with clients, my own team, and even myself, is encouraging team members to make decisions while realizing that the problem-solving process isn't always as smooth as we'd like. This often leads to people coming back with more questions than expected, and by the end of the day, you're answering far more questions than you anticipated.

A proven technique that works well—whether you're solving problems individually or within a team—is the 1-3-1 problem-solving tool.

Let me break it down for you:
• 1 represents one problem.
• 3 stands for three potential solutions to that problem.
• The final 1 is the one solution you choose to move forward with.

Step 1: Define the Problem
The first step is identifying the one problem. This is all about getting to the root cause. Writing it down makes a big difference because it forces you to think deeply about the problem. Is it the actual problem you're trying to solve, or is it just a symptom? You don’t need to dig as deeply as you might in more advanced problem-solving methods like root cause corrective action or the 8D methodology, but you should ensure that you’re addressing the core issue and not just scratching the surface.

Step 2: Generate Three Solutions
The next step involves coming up with three solutions:
1. The obvious solution: This is the most logical and straightforward way to solve the problem.
2. The not-so-logical solution: This one may take more effort to come up with. It's a bit outside the box—something that may seem improbable at first but is worth considering.
3. The out-of-the-box solution: Often, this is a combination of elements from the first two solutions, or it could be an entirely creative approach.
The purpose here is to expand your thinking and explore different possibilities. Even if the first solution ends up being the best option, the exercise of considering alternatives can bring fresh perspectives.

Step 3: Choose One Solution
Finally, you choose the one solution to move forward with. This is about making a commitment. Once you decide on a course of action, you stick with it. If an issue arises, you can revisit the decision, but the goal is to encourage team members to commit, take action, and move forward. Sometimes the hardest step is just getting started, but this commitment is crucial to progress.

When to Use This Process
Depending on the problem, there may be times when you want to be informed of the chosen solution before moving forward, and in other cases, the team can proceed with the solution and report back afterward. Either way, you can always review the 1-3-1 process, agree on the problem definition, and discuss the solutions considered before evaluating the action taken.

If you think this tool could be useful for your team or yourself, I encourage you to give it a try. If you'd like more support or structure, I’d be happy to help you implement it. We can sit down for a free consultation, and I can provide you with simple yet effective templates to kickstart problem-solving in your business.

I'm Andrew Buchan, your business accelerator.