What are the best techniques for refining and improving a proposed solution?

You have a brilliant idea for solving a problem, but how do you know if it is feasible, effective, and desirable? Before you implement your proposed solution, you need to refine and improve it through a process of testing, feedback, and iteration. In this article, you will learn some of the best techniques for refining and improving a proposed solution in the context of creative problem solving (CPS).

1 Test your solution

The first technique is to test your solution with a prototype, a simulation, or a pilot. A prototype is a low-fidelity version of your solution that you can use to demonstrate its features and functions. A simulation is a realistic scenario that mimics the conditions and challenges of the problem. A pilot is a small-scale implementation of your solution in a real setting. Testing your solution helps you to evaluate its feasibility, effectiveness, and desirability from different perspectives and to identify any gaps, flaws, or risks.

Add your perspective

Alessandro Calzolari

Empathic & Emotive Marketing Consultant | B2B Decision-Making Psychology & Strategy | Consumer Psychology for Tech & Service Professionals | Author of 'Empathic Marketing' | Speaker
Report contribution
From my experience, the initial step in testing a solution is embracing a trial-and-error mindset. Developing a proposed solution involves iteration. Start by crafting an MVP (minimum viable product) – a simplified version taking, let's say, no more than 3 hours to create. This aids in identifying any gaps or flaws highlighted by your target audience during testing. Can you imagine spending 2 months for the prototype and then having to modify the solution? The second step involves testing by asking about past experiences with similar offerings that failed to satisfy. While many inquire about future intentions to use the solution, intentions often differ from actual behaviour. Summary: Prototype first, then ask about past product use.

Like

2 Get feedback

The second technique is to get feedback from your stakeholders, users, and experts. Stakeholders are the people who are affected by the problem and the solution, such as customers, employees, or partners. Users are the people who will use your solution, such as clients, consumers, or beneficiaries. Experts are the people who have relevant knowledge, skills, or experience in the domain of the problem or the solution, such as mentors, advisors, or consultants. Getting feedback helps you to understand the needs, expectations, and preferences of your target audience and to incorporate their insights and suggestions into your solution.

Add your perspective

Anand Sunder

SRE Consultant | Observability specialist | AI Enthusiast | Continuous improvement | Industrial Engineer
Report contribution
Getting feedback from the right channels is important during improvisation. Key characteristics to identify a channel that can help give appropriate feedback : 1) understanding of state of the art with similar solutions 2) SWOT analysis of existing solution 3) ROI or value generated by the improvement

Like

3 Iterate your solution

The third technique is to iterate your solution based on the results of your testing and feedback. Iteration is the process of making changes and improvements to your solution in response to the data and information you collect. Iteration helps you to refine and optimize your solution and to increase its value and impact. To iterate your solution, you need to follow a cycle of four steps: plan, do, check, and act. Plan what you want to change or improve, do the changes or improvements, check the effects or outcomes, and act on the findings or learnings.

Add your perspective

4 Use tools and frameworks

The fourth technique is to use tools and frameworks that can help you to refine and improve your solution in a systematic and structured way. Tools and frameworks are methods, models, or guides that can help you to organize, analyze, or visualize your solution and its components. Some examples of tools and frameworks are SWOT analysis, SMART goals, logic model, design thinking, and lean startup. Using tools and frameworks helps you to clarify your solution's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals, to map out your solution's inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts, to empathize with your users, to define your value proposition, and to validate your assumptions.

Add your perspective

5 Learn from others

The fifth technique is to learn from others who have solved similar or related problems or who have implemented similar or related solutions. Learning from others helps you to benchmark your solution against best practices, to avoid common mistakes or pitfalls, to discover new ideas or approaches, and to expand your network and resources. To learn from others, you can use various sources, such as case studies, reports, articles, books, podcasts, videos, webinars, courses, workshops, or events. You can also reach out to other problem solvers or solution providers and ask them for advice, feedback, or collaboration.

Add your perspective

Filipe Serpa

Engenharia | Manutenção | Confiabilidade | WCM | Manutenção 4.0 | Gestão de Ativos | Gestão de Mudanças | Green Belt Lean Six Sigma | PCM
Report contribution
Aprenda com os acertos mas também com os erros dos outros. Fazendo uma analogia, o maior período de crescimento na produção matemática foi quando os egípcios decidiram arquivar os seu erros para futuras consultas. Essa mudança revolucionou a maneira de aprender e evoluir na matemática.

Translated

Like

6 Keep an open mind

The sixth technique is to keep an open mind throughout the process of refining and improving your solution. Keeping an open mind helps you to embrace uncertainty and ambiguity, to welcome change and innovation, to seek diversity and inclusion, and to foster curiosity and creativity. To keep an open mind, you need to adopt a growth mindset, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn. You also need to challenge your assumptions, biases, and habits, to explore different perspectives and alternatives, and to experiment with new possibilities and opportunities.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

What are the best techniques for refining and improving a proposed solution?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Test your solution

2 Get feedback

3 Iterate your solution

4 Use tools and frameworks

5 Learn from others

6 Keep an open mind

7 Here’s what else to consider

Creative Problem Solving

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Creative Problem Solving

More relevant reading

What are the best techniques for refining and improving a proposed solution?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Test your solution

2 Get feedback

3 Iterate your solution

4 Use tools and frameworks

5 Learn from others

6 Keep an open mind

7 Here’s what else to consider

Creative Problem Solving

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills