definition of a problem solving approach

• Browse Topics
• Executive Committee
• Affiliated Faculty
• Harvard Negotiation Project
• Great Negotiator
• American Secretaries of State Project
• Awards, Grants, and Fellowships
• Negotiation Programs
• Mediation Programs
• One-Day Programs
• In-House Training and Custom Programs
• In-Person Programs
• Online Programs
• Advanced Materials Search
• Contact Information
• The Teaching Negotiation Resource Center Policies
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Negotiation Journal
• Harvard Negotiation Law Review
• Working Conference on AI, Technology, and Negotiation
• PON 40th Anniversary Symposium
• Free Reports

Free Videos

• Upcoming Events
• Past Events
• Event Series
• Our Mission
• Keyword Index

PON – Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School - https://www.pon.harvard.edu

Learn how to negotiate like a diplomat, think on your feet like an improv performer, and master job offer negotiation like a professional athlete when you download a copy of our FREE special report,   Negotiation Skills: Negotiation Strategies and Negotiation Techniques to Help You Become a Better Negotiator , from the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School.

problem solving approach

What is a problem solving approach, the problem-solving approach to negotiation includes three tenets to help parties build relationships and negotiate constructively..

The problem-solving approach to negotiation is an approach first articulated in the book  Getting to YES , written by Roger Fisher and William Ury. The problem-solving approach argues that (1) negotiators should work together as colleagues to determine whether an agreement is possible that is better for both of them than no agreement would be, (2) in doing so they should postpone commitments while exploring how best to maximize and fairly distribute the value of any agreement, and (3) it makes sense for one party to take this approach even if the other does not. 

What does this accomplish? The problem-solving approach emphasizes parties’ underlying interests rather than their positions, and encourages parties to maintain and build their relationship even if they disagree rather than creating an adversarial process. 

This approach isn’t just for business, though. In his book  How to Negotiate with Kids…Even When You Think You Shouldn’t  (Viking, 2003), Scott Brown, a founder of the Harvard Negotiation Project at Harvard Law School, outlines a framework for dealing with your children using the principles of negotiation.

While some parents may fear that by negotiating with their children they are giving up some of their power, the opposite is true. Using negotiation techniques helps children feel empowered while also building trust and strengthening family ties.

Discover how to boost your power at the bargaining table in this free special report,  Dealmaking: Secrets of Successful Dealmaking in Business Negotiations , from Harvard Law School.

We will send you a download link to your copy of the report and notify you by email when we post new business negotiation advice and information on how to improve your dealmaking skills to our website.

The following items are tagged problem solving approach:

• Mediation Process and Business Negotiations: How Does Mediation Work in a Lawsuit?

Posted December 4th, 2023 by PON Staff & filed under Mediation .

Dealmaking: Secrets of Successful Dealmaking in Business Negotiations

Posted April 19th, 2015 by PON Staff & filed under Free Report .

• Why is Negotiation Important: Mediation in Transactional Negotiations

Posted November 23rd, 2023 by PON Staff & filed under Mediation .

Using E-Mediation and Online Mediation Techniques for Conflict Resolution

Posted September 18th, 2023 by PON Staff & filed under Mediation .

How to Manage Conflict at Work

Posted August 24th, 2023 by Katie Shonk & filed under Conflict Resolution .

Negotiator Toolbox: Using E-Mediation to Resolve Disputes

Posted July 20th, 2023 by PON Staff & filed under Mediation .

Mediation: Sitting Down at the Table

Posted March 9th, 2023 by PON Staff & filed under Mediation .

Dear Negotiation Coach: Can External Advisers Hinder a Problem Solving Approach?

Posted May 3rd, 2022 by PON Staff & filed under Mediation .

Copyright Negotiation: In Dealmaking with Tom Petty, Sam Smith Backs Down

Posted February 7th, 2017 by Katie Shonk & filed under Dealmaking .

Consider the Setting

Posted June 20th, 2011 by PON Staff & filed under Daily , Negotiation Skills .

Bringing Mediators to the Bargaining Table

Posted June 6th, 2011 by PON Staff & filed under Conflict Resolution , Daily .

Negotiating with Your Children

Posted June 26th, 2008 by PON Staff & filed under Negotiation Skills .

[get_post_by_name page_title="N&L Widget Details Spring"] -->

Negotiation and Leadership

• Learn More about Negotiation and Leadership

NEGOTIATION MASTER CLASS

• Learn More about Harvard Negotiation Master Class

Negotiation Essentials Online

• Learn More about Negotiation Essentials Online

Beyond the Back Table: Working with People and Organizations to Get to Yes

• Learn More about Beyond the Back Table

Select Your Free Special Report

• Beyond the Back Table Spring 2024 Program Guide
• Negotiation Master Class May 2024 Program Guide
• Negotiation and Leadership Spring 2024 Program Guide
• Negotiation Essentials Online (NEO) Spring, Summer, and Fall 2023 Program Guide
• Make the Most of Online Negotiations
• Managing Multiparty Negotiations
• Getting the Deal Done
• Salary Negotiation: How to Negotiate Salary: Learn the Best Techniques to Help You Manage the Most Difficult Salary Negotiations and What You Need to Know When Asking for a Raise
• Overcoming Cultural Barriers in Negotiation: Cross Cultural Communication Techniques and Negotiation Skills From International Business and Diplomacy
• Negotiation Training: How Harvard Negotiation Exercises, Negotiation Cases and Good Negotiation Coaching Can Make You a Better Negotiator

Teaching Negotiation Resource Center

• Teaching Materials and Publications

Stay Connected to PON

Preparing for negotiation.

Understanding how to arrange the meeting space is a key aspect of preparing for negotiation. In this video, Professor Guhan Subramanian discusses a real world example of how seating arrangements can influence a negotiator’s success. This discussion was held at the 3 day executive education workshop for senior executives at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School.

Guhan Subramanian is the Professor of Law and Business at the Harvard Law School and Professor of Business Law at the Harvard Business School.

Articles & Insights

• Managing Difficult Negotiators
• Star Wars Stories: George Lucas and a Strong BATNA, Passed Over
• Negotiation as Your BATNA: The Syrian Civil War and Crisis Negotiations
• Negotiation Examples: How Crisis Negotiators Use Text Messaging
• Learning from BATNA Examples in Negotiation
• Deal-Making Don’ts: Lessons from Yahoo’s Tumblr Acquisition
• Amazon–Whole Foods Negotiation: Did the Exclusive Courtship Move Too Fast?
• Solutions for Avoiding Intercultural Barriers at the Negotiation Table
• Successes & Messes: A Notoriously Bad Business Contract
• Beware the Winner’s Curse in Auctions
• Managing Expectations in Negotiations
• The Two Koreas Practice Conflict Management
• Negotiation with Your Children: How to Resolve Family Conflicts
• Do Attitudes in Negotiation Influence Results?
• The Pitfalls of Negotiations Over Email
• Negotiating Change During the Covid-19 Pandemic
• Crisis Negotiation Skills: The Hostage Negotiator’s Drill
• Famous Negotiations Cases – NBA and the Power of Deadlines at the Bargaining Table
• What is Crisis Management in Negotiation?
• Police Negotiation Techniques from the NYPD Crisis Negotiations Team
• Communication Breakdowns: When All We Can See is Red
• How to Deal with Difficult Customers
• Negotiation Tips: Listening Skills for Dealing with Difficult People
• How to Renegotiate a Bad Deal
• Trust and Honesty in Negotiations: Dealing with Dishonest Negotiators
• The Art of Negotiation: Anger Management at the Bargaining Table
• Try a Contingent Contract if You Can’t Agree on What Will Happen
• Managing a Multiparty Negotiation
• Lessons for Business Negotiators: Negotiation Techniques from International Diplomacy
• Writing the Negotiated Agreement
• The Door in the Face Technique: Will It Backfire?
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Examples: Restorative Justice
• Three Questions to Ask About the Dispute Resolution Process
• The Importance of Power in Negotiations: Taylor Swift Shakes it Off
• Emotional Triggers: How Emotions Affect Your Negotiating Ability
• Top International Negotiation Examples: The East China Sea Dispute
• Cross Cultural Communication: Translation and Negotiation
• Prompting Peace Negotiations
• Political Negotiation: Negotiating with Bureaucrats
• Famous Negotiators: Tony Blair’s 10 Principles to Guide Diplomats in International Conflict Resolution
• Moral Leadership: Do Women Negotiate More Ethically than Men?
• What Is Facilitative Leadership?
• Negotiations, Gender, and Status at the Bargaining Table
• Participative Leadership: What It Can Do for Organizations
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Leadership Styles: Uncovering Bias and Generating Mutual Gains
• How Mediation Can Help Resolve Pro Sports Disputes
• Undecided on Your Dispute Resolution Process? Combine Mediation and Arbitration, Known as Med-Arb
• What Makes a Good Mediator?
• Is Humor in Business Negotiation Ever Appropriate?
• The Ladder of Inference: A Resource List
• In Negotiation, Is Benevolent Deception Acceptable?
• The Benefits of Coalitions at the Bargaining Table
• Five Fundamentals of Negotiation from Great Negotiator Tommy Koh
• 3-D Negotiation Strategy
• Collaborative Negotiation Examples: Tenants and Landlords
• Negotiation Training: What’s Special About Technology Negotiations?
• Use a Negotiation Preparation Worksheet for Continuous Improvement
• 10 Negotiation Training Skills Every Organization Needs
• How to Negotiate Pay in an Interview
• Setting Standards in Negotiations
• Negotiators: Resist Vividness Bias in Negotiations
• How to Counter a Job Offer: Avoid Common Mistakes
• Negotiating Salary: Confronting the Gender Pay Gap
• New Simulation: International Business Acquisition Negotiated Online
• New Simulation: Negotiating a Management Crisis
• Teaching with Multi-Round Simulations: Balancing Internal and External Negotiations
• Camp Lemonnier: Negotiating a Lease Agreement for a Key Military Base in Africa
• Check Out the All-In-One Curriculum Packages!
• For NFL Players, a Win-Win Negotiation Contract Only in Retrospect?
• How to Negotiate Mutually Beneficial Noncompete Agreements
• How to Create Win-Win Situations
• How to Use Tradeoffs to Create Value in Your Negotiations
• Win-Lose Negotiation Examples

PON Publications

• Negotiation Data Repository (NDR)
• Follow the Science: Proven Strategies for Reducing Unconscious Bias
• Turning Difficult Mediation Moments into Opportunities
• Cyber Negotiations: The Case of Ransomware
• Facilitated Dialogue: Possibilities, Pitfalls, and Practice Notes
• When Gender Matters in Negotiation

Remember Me This setting should only be used on your home or work computer.

Lost your password? Create a new password of your choice.

Copyright © 2023 Negotiation Daily. All rights reserved.

Problem Solving Skills for the Digital Age

Lucid Content Team

Reading time: about 7 min

Let’s face it: Things don’t always go according to plan. Systems fail, wires get crossed, projects fall apart.

Problems are an inevitable part of life and work. They’re also an opportunity to think critically and find solutions. But knowing how to get to the root of unexpected situations or challenges can mean the difference between moving forward and spinning your wheels.

Here, we’ll break down the key elements of problem solving, some effective problem solving approaches, and a few effective tools to help you arrive at solutions more quickly.

So, what is problem solving?

Broadly defined, problem solving is the process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues. But you already knew that. Understanding problem solving frameworks, however, requires a deeper dive.

Think about a recent problem you faced. Maybe it was an interpersonal issue. Or it could have been a major creative challenge you needed to solve for a client at work. How did you feel as you approached the issue? Stressed? Confused? Optimistic? Most importantly, which problem solving techniques did you use to tackle the situation head-on? How did you organize thoughts to arrive at the best possible solution?

Solve your problem-solving problem  

Here’s the good news: Good problem solving skills can be learned. By its nature, problem solving doesn’t adhere to a clear set of do’s and don’ts—it requires flexibility, communication, and adaptation. However, most problems you face, at work or in life, can be tackled using four basic steps.

First, you must define the problem . This step sounds obvious, but often, you can notice that something is amiss in a project or process without really knowing where the core problem lies. The most challenging part of the problem solving process is uncovering where the problem originated.

Second, you work to generate alternatives to address the problem directly. This should be a collaborative process to ensure you’re considering every angle of the issue.

Third, you evaluate and test potential solutions to your problem. This step helps you fully understand the complexity of the issue and arrive at the best possible solution.

Finally, fourth, you select and implement the solution that best addresses the problem.

Following this basic four-step process will help you approach every problem you encounter with the same rigorous critical and strategic thinking process, recognize commonalities in new problems, and avoid repeating past mistakes.

In addition to these basic problem solving skills, there are several best practices that you should incorporate. These problem solving approaches can help you think more critically and creatively about any problem:

You may not feel like you have the right expertise to resolve a specific problem. Don’t let that stop you from tackling it. The best problem solvers become students of the problem at hand. Even if you don’t have particular expertise on a topic, your unique experience and perspective can lend itself to creative solutions.

Challenge the status quo

Standard problem solving methodologies and problem solving frameworks are a good starting point. But don’t be afraid to challenge assumptions and push boundaries. Good problem solvers find ways to apply existing best practices into innovative problem solving approaches.

Think broadly about and visualize the issue

Sometimes it’s hard to see a problem, even if it’s right in front of you. Clear answers could be buried in rows of spreadsheet data or lost in miscommunication. Use visualization as a problem solving tool to break down problems to their core elements. Visuals can help you see bottlenecks in the context of the whole process and more clearly organize your thoughts as you define the problem.  

Hypothesize, test, and try again

It might be cliche, but there’s truth in the old adage that 99% of inspiration is perspiration. The best problem solvers ask why, test, fail, and ask why again. Whether it takes one or 1,000 iterations to solve a problem, the important part—and the part that everyone remembers—is the solution.

Consider other viewpoints

Today’s problems are more complex, more difficult to solve, and they often involve multiple disciplines. They require group expertise and knowledge. Being open to others’ expertise increases your ability to be a great problem solver. Great solutions come from integrating your ideas with those of others to find a better solution. Excellent problem solvers build networks and know how to collaborate with other people and teams. They are skilled in bringing people together and sharing knowledge and information.

4 effective problem solving tools

As you work through the problem solving steps, try these tools to better define the issue and find the appropriate solution.

Root cause analysis

Similar to pulling weeds from your garden, if you don’t get to the root of the problem, it’s bound to come back. A root cause analysis helps you figure out the root cause behind any disruption or problem, so you can take steps to correct the problem from recurring. The root cause analysis process involves defining the problem, collecting data, and identifying causal factors to pinpoint root causes and arrive at a solution.

Less structured than other more traditional problem solving methods, the 5 Whys is simply what it sounds like: asking why over and over to get to the root of an obstacle or setback. This technique encourages an open dialogue that can trigger new ideas about a problem, whether done individually or with a group. Each why piggybacks off the answer to the previous why. Get started with the template below—both flowcharts and fishbone diagrams can also help you track your answers to the 5 Whys.

Brainstorming

A meeting of the minds, a brain dump, a mind meld, a jam session. Whatever you call it, collaborative brainstorming can help surface previously unseen issues, root causes, and alternative solutions. Create and share a mind map with your team members to fuel your brainstorming session.

Gap analysis

Sometimes you don’t know where the problem is until you determine where it isn’t. Gap filling helps you analyze inadequacies that are preventing you from reaching an optimized state or end goal. For example, a content gap analysis can help a content marketer determine where holes exist in messaging or the customer experience. Gap analysis is especially helpful when it comes to problem solving because it requires you to find workable solutions. A SWOT analysis chart that looks at a problem through the lens of strengths, opportunities, opportunities, and threats can be a helpful problem solving framework as you start your analysis.

A better way to problem solve

Beyond these practical tips and tools, there are myriad methodical and creative approaches to move a project forward or resolve a conflict. The right approach will depend on the scope of the issue and your desired outcome.

Depending on the problem, Lucidchart offers several templates and diagrams that could help you identify the cause of the issue and map out a plan to resolve it.  Learn more about how Lucidchart can help you take control of your problem solving process .

Lucidchart, a cloud-based intelligent diagramming application, is a core component of Lucid Software's Visual Collaboration Suite. This intuitive, cloud-based solution empowers teams to collaborate in real-time to build flowcharts, mockups, UML diagrams, customer journey maps, and more. Lucidchart propels teams forward to build the future faster. Lucid is proud to serve top businesses around the world, including customers such as Google, GE, and NBC Universal, and 99% of the Fortune 500. Lucid partners with industry leaders, including Google, Atlassian, and Microsoft. Since its founding, Lucid has received numerous awards for its products, business, and workplace culture. For more information, visit lucidchart.com.

Related articles

How You Can Use Creative Problem Solving at Work

Sometimes you're faced with challenges that traditional problem solving can't fix. Creative problem solving encourages you to find new, creative ways of thinking that can help you overcome the issue at hand more quickly.

Solve issues faster with the root cause analysis process

Root cause analysis refers to any problem-solving method used to trace an issue back to its origin. Learn how to complete a root cause analysis—we've even included templates to get you started.

Bring your bright ideas to life.

or continue with

• Earth and Environment
• Literature and the Arts
• Philosophy and Religion
• Plants and Animals
• Science and Technology
• Social Sciences and the Law
• Sports and Everyday Life
• Additional References

problem-solving approach

Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

" problem-solving approach . " A Dictionary of Nursing . . Encyclopedia.com. 15 Nov. 2023 < https://www.encyclopedia.com > .

"problem-solving approach ." A Dictionary of Nursing . . Encyclopedia.com. (November 15, 2023). https://www.encyclopedia.com/caregiving/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/problem-solving-approach

"problem-solving approach ." A Dictionary of Nursing . . Retrieved November 15, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/caregiving/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/problem-solving-approach

Citation styles

Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA).

Within the “Cite this article” tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list.

Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. Therefore, it’s best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publication’s requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites:

Modern Language Association

http://www.mla.org/style

The Chicago Manual of Style

http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html

American Psychological Association

http://apastyle.apa.org/

• Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. However, the date of retrieval is often important. Refer to each style’s convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates.
• In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list.

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article, you might also like.

• nursing process
• trisection of an angle
• eigenvectors
• solvable problem
• recursively solvable problem
• satisfiability problem
• Design of Problems
• Designing Problems for Web–enhanced Problem–based Learning

NEARBY TERMS

• Monash Online

Monash Business School

• Future students Future students
• MBA programs MBA programs
• Executive education Executive education
• Current students Current students
• Our research
• Departments and research centres Departments and research centres
• Networks of Excellence Networks of Excellence
• Monash Business and Sustainability Network Monash Business and Sustainability Network
• Impact Labs Impact Labs
• Our researchers
• Research staff Research staff
• Publications Publications
• Graduate research students and supervisors Graduate research students and supervisors
• Previous PhD Candidates and Placements Previous PhD Candidates and Placements
• Work with us Work with us
• Graduate research program
• PhD programs
• About the PhD program About the PhD program
• How to apply How to apply
• Scholarships and fees Scholarships and fees
• Professional development and support programs Professional development and support programs
• PhD research internships PhD research internships
• Graduate research pathways Graduate research pathways
• Joint research awards Joint research awards
• Master of Philosophy Master of Philosophy
• Pacific Action for Climate Transitions (PACT)
• About PACT About PACT
• Industry & alumni
• Alumni Alumni
• Partnerships, Alliances and Advisory Boards
• Partnerships and alliances Partnerships and alliances
• Global Education Partners Global Education Partners
• Thrive Global Thrive Global
• Woodside Monash Energy Partnership Woodside Monash Energy Partnership
• Engage with our students Engage with our students
• Creative Destruction Lab Melbourne Creative Destruction Lab Melbourne
• Latest news Latest news
• Impact thought leadership Impact thought leadership
• International Women's Day 2023 International Women's Day 2023
• Impact publication Impact publication
• Upcoming events Upcoming events
• Webinar series Webinar series
• Our story Our story
• Rankings and accreditations Rankings and accreditations
• Principles for Responsible Management Education Principles for Responsible Management Education
• Equity, diversity and social inclusion Equity, diversity and social inclusion
• Skip to content
• Skip to navigation

Problem-Solving Approach

Marketing dictionary.

an approach to selling in which the salesperson works with the buyer to evaluate alternative solutions to a problem and to select the best; a consultative approach intended to build long-term relationships with clients. Also called Depth Selling.

Select a letter to find terms listed alphabetically.