Problem-Solving Success Tip: Measure

Measure.

The first key question to answer in starting a problem-solving project is, "How will you know when the problem is solved?" Answer this question in measurable terms before you start trying to solve the problem. As you begin defining your problem, these success metrics help set clear expectations about what will be different when you finish. At the end of the project, the measurements will demonstrate that the difference has been achieved, i.e., the problem has been solved.

To be useful, success measurements must be simple in concept and connected so clearly to the problem that you can remember them easily. As with the description, somebody who doesn't already know about the problem should be able to read your success criteria and understand them.

The objective in setting success metrics for a problem-solving project is to define the minimum necessary to solve the problem. This is completely opposite to the way we usually set goals. In problem-solving, we want to do everything necessary to solve the problem, but nothing extra.

Once you decide what your success metrics will be, check them with real data. This not only verifies that you really can collect and report the measurements, but also lets you establish baselines. Measure exactly what your performance is before you start analyzing the problem and taking corrective action. The baseline measurements let you confirm that there really is a problem and sanity checks the performance levels you've defined as success. You can make corrections if necessary, before you start down a wrong path.

Measure to determine that the problem is solved, but also use measurements throughout the problem-solving process. Measurements can also help you test assumptions, verify root causes, assure tasks are completed properly and report progress.

Bottom line: if you don't measure, you won't know for sure. Use measurements to learn and portray the truth-the real truth, not what you wish were true.

copyright 2005. Jeanne Sawyer. All Rights Reserved.

Jeanne Sawyer is an author, consultant, trainer and coach who helps her clients solve expensive, chronic problems, such as those that cause operational disruptions and cause customers to take their business elsewhere. These tips are excerpted from her book, When Stuff Happens: A Practical Guide to Solving Problems Permanently. Find out about it, and get more free information on problem solving at her web site: http://www.sawyerpartnership.com/.

msnbc.com

Nokia dumps CEO, turns to Microsoft exec The Associated Press HELSINKI ? Nokia Corp. is replacing CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo with Microsoft executive Stephen Elop as the world's top maker of mobile phones aims to regain ... Nokia CEO Kallasvuo Replaced By Microsoft's ElopWall Street Journal Nokia Corp. names Microsoft executive as new CEOMarketWatch Nokia dumps CEO, turns to Microsoft execThe State Light Reading -Zacks.com -Bloomberg all 954 news articles »

Aceto Shuffles Management As 4Q Profit Soars On Record Sales Wall Street Journal Aceto Corp. (ACET) named Chairman Albert Eilender to be its chief executive, taking the title from President Vince Miata after 11 months. ... and more »

Shareholder Update: Investigation of Management Buyout of AMREP Corp. by Tripp ... MarketWatch (press release) ... 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Tripp Levy PLLC, a leading national securities law firm, announces an investigation into the proposed acquisition of AMREP Corp. ... and more »

ABC News

At Oracle, Mark Hurd Lands in Rare Situation Wall Street Journal And while the two have very different management styles, those styles seem compatible, said these people. However the two men fare together, Mr. Hurd will ... Oracle Hires Ex-HP CEO Hurd as President as Phillips DepartsBloomberg Analysis: Crowded Oracle management bench could mean frictionReuters (press release) Oracle names ex-HP CEO Mark Hurd co-presidentBusinessWeek San Francisco Chronicle -Houston Chronicle -ECNmag.com all 3,946 news articles »

New Zealand Herald

Oracle names ex-HP CEO Mark Hurd co-president TMCnet By AP , SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ? Oracle (News - Alert) Corp. has hired former Hewlett?Packard Co. CEO Mark Hurd to help lead the database software maker in a ... Hurd's Oracle gig: Is Ellison perk or problem?The Associated Press all 240 news articles »

MRO (press release)

Walter Investment Management Corp. to Present at the Rodman & Renshaw Annual ... PR-USA.net (press release) Walter Investment Management Corp. (NYSE Amex: WAC) an asset manager, mortgage servicer and mortgage portfolio owner announced today it will be presenting ... Medwell Capital to Present at Rodman & Renshaw Annual Global Investment ConferenceCanada NewsWire (press release) all 1,116 news articles »

Your Industry News (press release)

Quest Oil Initiates Workover Program on Hawkeye-Midkiff Fields MarketWatch (press release) Quest Oil Corp. is an independent oil and gas exploration company that seeks to acquire and develop economically attractive and geologically sound ... Quest Oil Corp. (PINK:QOIL) Hits Record Volume, Then Starts To Slide Down AgainHotStocked Shady Moves in Market Pricing and Newly acquired Assets behind QOIL's 52% Hike?Beacon Equity Research (blog) all 93 news articles »

Harvard Said to End Talks to Sell Real Estate to China Fund Bloomberg The school and China Investment Corp., a $300 billion fund that manages part of the nation's foreign-exchange reserves, had been discussing a sale of ... and more »

Goldman Names BRICs Creator Jim O'Neill to Asset Role BusinessWeek O'Neill, 53, will remain in London and report to Ed Forst and Tim O'Neill, global co-heads of Goldman Sachs's investment- management division, ... and more »

US Stock-Index Futures Advance; Exxon, ConocoPhillips Climb Bloomberg Chevron Corp. and ConocoPhillips climbed as crude oil rose the most in six weeks. Moody's Corp. jumped 6 percent after Piper Jaffray & Co. raised its rating ... and more »