How can consultants use problem-solving skills to help clients achieve their goals?

As a consultant, you may face different types of problems that require different types of solutions. Whether you are helping your clients improve their processes, products, or performance, you need to apply problem-solving skills to identify the root causes, generate alternatives, and implement the best actions. In this article, we will discuss how you can use problem-solving skills to help clients achieve their goals and deliver value.

Key takeaways from this article

Collaborative problem-solving:

Engage clients as active participants in the solution-finding process. By involving them every step of the way, their buy-in enhances the success of the implementation and they often feel ownership of the outcomes.
Outcome-based analysis:

Start by envisioning the desired end result and work backward to identify potential obstacles. This reverse engineering approach can illuminate hidden challenges and reveal the most significant barriers to achieving goals.

This summary is powered by AI and these experts

1 Understand the problem

The first step in problem-solving is to understand the problem clearly and comprehensively. You need to ask relevant questions, gather information, and define the scope and objectives of the problem. You also need to analyze the current situation, the desired outcome, and the gaps and barriers that prevent the solution. By understanding the problem, you can clarify your role as a consultant, establish a common ground with your client, and set realistic expectations and criteria for success.

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Jose P. Menduet

Corporate Strategy Execution Director @ Nowports | Harvard Executive Education
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Not always will problems be easy to identify, so sometimes itâ€™s wise to start with a desired outcome (e.g: duplicate sales on a specific country of operations) and then backtrack potential roadblocks that will eventually (as you drill down) portray the real root cause of the problem, to follow the example, it will lead the way to understand what are the main blockers of sales growth at that specific country.

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Girish Bhat
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Understanding the problem(s) lies at the heart of problem solving, and is easier said than done. It goes beyond accepting what is presented as "the problem" in the project brief and using that as a starting point. It calls for being able to distinguish between the symptoms of a problem from the problem itself. Establishing a common ground with the client is important but with the knowledge that the client is not just the project leader/focal point that one engages with, but instead, all the key stakeholders that are impacted by the problem and will have a key role in implementing the solutions, once these are developed.

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2 Explore the options

The next step in problem-solving is to explore the options that can address the problem. You need to use creative and critical thinking skills to generate as many ideas as possible, without judging or filtering them at this stage. You can use various techniques, such as brainstorming, mind mapping, or SWOT analysis, to stimulate your imagination and organize your thoughts. You also need to involve your client and other stakeholders in the ideation process, to ensure their input and buy-in.

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Jose P. Menduet

Corporate Strategy Execution Director @ Nowports | Harvard Executive Education
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At times, with this type of workshops itâ€™s important to get the ball rolling with potential out-of-the-box examples, as well as more down-to-reality ones to build a secure place so that the audience feels secure during the brainstorming session.

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3 Evaluate the solutions

The third step in problem-solving is to evaluate the solutions that you have generated and select the most suitable one. You need to use analytical and decision-making skills to compare and contrast the pros and cons of each option, based on the criteria and constraints that you have defined earlier. You can use tools, such as matrices, charts, or scoring systems, to rank and prioritize the solutions. You also need to communicate your rationale and recommendations to your client and other stakeholders, and get their feedback and approval.

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Girish Bhat
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A good consultant will help clients discover the right solutions through a collaborative process that actively engages the clients, tapping into their knowledge and expertise rather than simply taking in their inputs, doing the analysis and making recommendations. Any project wherein a client feels that they came up with the solution themselves with the consultant facilitatiing the process would have a higher probability of success simply due to the greater buy in.

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4 Implement the plan

The final step in problem-solving is to implement the plan that you have chosen and monitor the results. You need to use project management and execution skills to define the tasks, resources, timelines, and responsibilities for the implementation. You also need to use communication and collaboration skills to coordinate with your client and other stakeholders, and keep them updated on the progress and challenges. Moreover, you need to use evaluation and feedback skills to measure the outcomes, identify the gaps, and make adjustments as needed.

Problem-solving skills are essential for consultants who want to help clients achieve their goals and deliver value. By following these four steps, you can apply problem-solving skills to any type of problem that you encounter in your consulting projects. You can also improve your problem-solving skills by learning from your experiences, seeking feedback, and taking courses or workshops on problem-solving techniques.

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5 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that donâ€™t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Directory

How can consultants use problem-solving skills to help clients achieve their goals?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Understand the problem

2 Explore the options

3 Evaluate the solutions

4 Implement the plan

5 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

Problem Solving

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Directory

How can consultants use problem-solving skills to help clients achieve their goals?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Understand the problem

2 Explore the options

3 Evaluate the solutions

4 Implement the plan

5 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

Problem Solving

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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