rapid assessment of problem solving

Do you have a Problem that Needs Solving Quickly?

Rapid Problem Solving is an extremely useful tool that gives us a systematic approach to dealing with day to day issues and problems that arise in every organisation. The key to success with Rapid Problem Solving is using a collaborative approach thus ensuring collective learnings. Here you will find a “ How to ” guide to solve 80% of problems.

The Rapid Problem-Solving Process:

The Rapid Problem Solving Process has 4 key Steps:

• Define & Investigate the problem
• Brainstorm potential Causes
• Root Cause Analysis
• Identify Solutions & Assign Countermeasures

IMPORTANT: Use a Standardised template to navigate through the process. To download Rapid Problem Solving template, click here .

The Scenario

Most of you will recognise, both this visual and have experienced this within our professional lives. Let’s take a closer look with Rapid Problem Solving .

1. Define the Problem & Investigate:

• What is Occurring?
• Where is it Occurring?
• When did it Occur?
• Impact of Problem?

Example: “From Jan 1 to May 5 th , the average time to deliver rocks is 5 hours from A to B, which is 2 hours above the target. This is occurring with all Type ZX Model transportation and is extending the delivery date of the pyramid by 5 months, resulting in a very dissatisfied customer.

2. Brainstorm Potential Causes:

Using the Fishbone Diagram to capture and organise the teams brainstorming ideas on potential causes

Direct Causes – The event that directly caused the symptom

Contributing Causes – Reasons that contributed to the problem, but on its own did not cause the problem

Root Causes – Reason for the problem, which if taken away can prevent recurrence

Direct Cause : Not possible to push 20 rocks with current number of people

Contributing Causes: Barrow sinking in sand, Moving barrow during the hottest sun

Root Cause: Incorrect wheel design

4. Root Cause Anaylsis

Use the 5-Whys process to help you drill down to the root cause once you have all the inputs/cause established on the fishbone.

Sometimes you may need to use less or more than 5 Whys!

Cause: Incorrect wheel design

First Why: Why is the wheel designed incorrectly?

The design process considered one design for wheel

Second Why: Why does the process consider only one design?

There is no requirement to consider other designs in the process

Summary : Real root cause is within the Design Process

4. Identify Solutions & Assign Countermeasures

What types of countermeasure can we use?

Containment/ Immediate action – Action that will contain the problem immediately (Sticky Plaster!)

Corrective Action – Action that will prevent the immediate reoccurrence of the problem

Preventative Action – Action that will prevent the re occurrence of the problem FOREVER!

Direct Cause : Not enough people to push rocks

Immediate Action:

Option 1: Add more people to push the barrow

Option 2: Reduce number of rocks on load and increase number of rock deliveries

Root Cause :

• Incorrect wheel design
• Limitations within the Design Process

Preventative Action:

• Redesign wheel to move barrow quicker and with a better material for sand application
• Update the Design Process to include a minimum of 3 concept designs

Levels of Counter Measures:

The higher you go on the pyramid the better the Countermeasure will be. The ideal is to prevent the occurrence of the error, for example, the three-pin plug.

However, sometimes it may not be practical or economically viable to install physical solutions. As always, a risk-based approach should be used, and common sense must prevail!

To find out more, click on the link below.

Alternatively please contact Clodagh at [email protected]

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Key Business Challenges and Project Objectives:

Our Engineering Services client has a functional structure and found it challenging to ship on time, consistently. From an analysis, a number of issues were identified preventing shipments on time. One area identified was a lack of communication across the functions, resulting in shipments not meeting delivery requirements. CLS were invited to mentor the team on Visual Management as a possible improvement to managing shipments. The key objectives of this project were:

• Design and implement a Visual Management System to support On Time shipments to customer
• Improve On Time Delivery from 60% to 75%

CLS Approach and Changes Implemented:

CLS worked with the Project Team, starting with identification of the customers of the Shipment process and understanding their requirements, using a SIPOC. A list of 65 requirements were identified initially. The 65 items were prioritised and reduced to 8 critical requirements. Next the key information required to meet customer requirements were identified and who can provide this data. The team communicated these requirements to the relevant people and confirmed how frequently the information was required and in what format. On completion on the SIPOC, the following actions were implemented over a two-month timeframe with minimal investment:

• Designed a Shipment Board with the key elements of information identified on the Board
• Identified colour coding to identify what elements were on target for shipment (green) and what elements were not on target (red)
• Designed a process to implement actions for Red items
• Completed training and Piloted the process
• Updated board design from Pilot

Results / Outcomes:

• Designed and Implemented a Visual Management System to manage shipments.
• Engaged the functions to work effectively together and reducing stress associated with shipments for people involved.
• Improved On Time Delivery from 60% to 80%.

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Problem Solving by Participants with and without Neurological Damage on the Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving Test

Marshall, Robert and Freed, Donald and Karow, Colleen and McGurk, Susan (2006) Problem Solving by Participants with and without Neurological Damage on the Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving Test. [Clinical Aphasiology Paper]

This study examined problem solving by participants with and without neurologic damage on a modification of the Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving Test (RAPS). Results revealed significant differences among the groups on four measures of problem-solving efficiency as well as the types of questions used to solve problems on the RAPS. Participants in acute TBI and Schizophrenia groups performed significantly poorer than those in a chronic TBI group, and two groups of non-brain-damaged individuals. Examination of the problem-solving strategies used by the groups showed that neurologically damaged participants used similar strategies to the normal participants, but deteriorated in their performance as the complexity of the problem solving task increased.

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Update on a clinical measure for the assessment of problem solving

Affiliation.

• 1 University of Kentucky (120F CTW), 900 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536-0200, USA. [email protected]
• PMID: 18845695
• DOI: 10.1044/1058-0360(2008/07-0071)

Purpose: The Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving test (RAPS) is a clinical measure of problem solving based on the 20 Questions Test. This article updates clinicians on the RAPS, addresses questions raised about the test in an earlier article (R. C. Marshall, C. M. Karow, C. Morelli, K. Iden, & J. Dixon, 2003a), and discusses the clinical utility of the RAPS.

Method: The RAPS was administered to 373 normal adults. Tests were analyzed to assess the impact of demographic, psychometric, and other factors on performance on the RAPS. To determine the effects of strategy selection on test scores, participants were assigned to novel, category-focused, or mixed strategy groups based on the types of first questions asked.

Results: Normal participants exhibited a range of performance levels on the RAPS. Participants in the novel strategy group performed significantly better than the participants in 2 other strategy groups.

Conclusions: The RAPS is a clinically useful tool to examine problem solving that is easy to administer and to score. Findings suggest clinicians can use the RAPS with greater confidence than was the case 4 years ago. The RAPS is now part of the public domain and may be used by clinicians to assess clients' problem-solving deficits.

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Similar articles

• Performance of subjects with and without severe mental illness on a clinical test of problem solving. Marshall RC, McGurk SR, Karow CM, Kairy TJ, Flashman LA. Marshall RC, et al. Schizophr Res. 2006 Jun;84(2-3):331-44. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2006.01.025. Epub 2006 Mar 20. Schizophr Res. 2006. PMID: 16545542
• A clinical measure for the assessment of problem solving in brain-injured adults. Marshall RC, Karow CM, Morelli CA, Iden KK, Dixon J. Marshall RC, et al. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2003 Aug;12(3):333-48. doi: 10.1044/1058-0360(2003/079). Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2003. PMID: 12971822
• Problem-solving by traumatically brain injured and neurologically intact subjects on an adaptation of the twenty questions test. Marshall RC, Karow CM, Morelli CA, Iden KK, Dixon J. Marshall RC, et al. Brain Inj. 2003 Jul;17(7):589-608. doi: 10.1080/0269905031000088496. Brain Inj. 2003. PMID: 12775271
• On testing the face validity of planning/problem-solving tasks in a normal population. Kafer KL, Hunter M. Kafer KL, et al. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 1997 Mar;3(2):108-19. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 1997. PMID: 9126852
• Does social problem solving differ from other types of problem solving during the adult years? Heidrich SM, Denney NW. Heidrich SM, et al. Exp Aging Res. 1994 Apr-Jun;20(2):105-26. doi: 10.1080/03610739408253957. Exp Aging Res. 1994. PMID: 8020538
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Home > honors > Honors Theses > 863

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Developing the rapid assessment of problem solving for kids (raps-k).

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Emily Phillips , Western Kentucky University Follow

Document Type

The Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving (RAPS) was created by Dr. Robert Marshall in order to assess an individuals’ problem solving abilities. This assessment is set up like the popular twenty-questions game and is used to assess adults with cognitive impairments. An administrator chooses a picture from a board of thirty-two pictures and the subject must ask yes or no questions in order to guess the target picture in as few questions as possible. Analysis assesses integration planning scores, question asking efficiency scores, and question types to determine a level of problem solving abilities.

Smith and Jones (2018) used the original RAPS to assess problem solving skills in neurotypical children and discovered many limitations such as the inability of children to recognize the pictures used and the number of pictures they were able to integrate. Perdew (2019) created a modified version of the RAPS called the Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving for Kids (RAPS-K) that addressed these limitations, in hopes it would be more valid and reliable when used with the child population. The RAPS-K consists of twelve total boards of varying sizes that fit into three levels of difficulty.

This capstone project aims to analyze data gathered through the piloting of the RAPS-K on neurotypical kids. From this research, any limitations of the new boards or of the original scoring system when used in conjunction with the new boards will be identified and modified for future use. Additionally, a protocol and administration manual will be created in order to make administration more uniform and valid.

Advisor(s) or Committee Chair

Janice Smith, Ph.D., CCC/SLP

• Disciplines

Communication Sciences and Disorders | Education | Speech Pathology and Audiology

Recommended Citation

Phillips, Emily, "Developing the Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving for Kids (RAPS-K)" (2020). Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects. Paper 863. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses/863

Since May 13, 2020

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Nine essential problem solving tools: The ultimate guide to finding a solution

October 26, 2023 by MindManager Blog

Problem solving may unfold differently depending on the industry, or even the department you work in. However, most agree that before you can fix any issue, you need to be clear on what it is, why it’s happening, and what your ideal long-term solution will achieve.

Understanding both the nature and the cause of a problem is the only way to figure out which actions will help you resolve it.

Given that most problem-solving processes are part inspiration and part perspiration, you’ll be more successful if you can reach for a problem solving tool that facilitates collaboration, encourages creative thinking, and makes it easier to implement the fix you devise.

The problem solving tools include three unique categories: problem solving diagrams, problem solving mind maps, and problem solving software solutions.

They include:

• Fishbone diagrams
• Strategy maps
• Mental maps
• Concept maps
• Layered process audit software
• Charting software
• MindManager

In this article, we’ve put together a roundup of versatile problem solving tools and software to help you and your team map out and repair workplace issues as efficiently as possible.

Let’s get started!

Problem solving diagrams

Mapping your way out of a problem is the simplest way to see where you are, and where you need to end up.

Not only do visual problem maps let you plot the most efficient route from Point A (dysfunctional situation) to Point B (flawless process), problem mapping diagrams make it easier to see:

• The root cause of a dilemma.
• The steps, resources, and personnel associated with each possible solution.
• The least time-consuming, most cost-effective options.

A visual problem solving process help to solidify understanding. Furthermore, it’s a great way for you and your team to transform abstract ideas into a practical, reconstructive plan.

Here are three examples of common problem mapping diagrams you can try with your team:

1. Fishbone diagrams

Fishbone diagrams are a common problem solving tool so-named because, once complete, they resemble the skeleton of a fish.

With the possible root causes of an issue (the ribs) branching off from either side of a spine line attached to the head (the problem), dynamic fishbone diagrams let you:

• Lay out a related set of possible reasons for an existing problem
• Investigate each possibility by breaking it out into sub-causes
• See how contributing factors relate to one another

Fishbone diagrams are also known as cause and effect or Ishikawa diagrams.

2. Flowcharts

A flowchart is an easy-to-understand diagram with a variety of applications. But you can use it to outline and examine how the steps of a flawed process connect.

Made up of a few simple symbols linked with arrows indicating workflow direction, flowcharts clearly illustrate what happens at each stage of a process – and how each event impacts other events and decisions.

3. Strategy maps

Frequently used as a strategic planning tool, strategy maps also work well as problem mapping diagrams. Based on a hierarchal system, thoughts and ideas can be arranged on a single page to flesh out a potential resolution.

Once you’ve got a few tactics you feel are worth exploring as possible ways to overcome a challenge, a strategy map will help you establish the best route to your problem-solving goal.

Problem solving mind maps

Problem solving mind maps are especially valuable in visualization. Because they facilitate the brainstorming process that plays a key role in both root cause analysis and the identification of potential solutions, they help make problems more solvable.

Mind maps are diagrams that represent your thinking. Since many people struggle taking or working with hand-written or typed notes, mind maps were designed to let you lay out and structure your thoughts visually so you can play with ideas, concepts, and solutions the same way your brain does.

By starting with a single notion that branches out into greater detail, problem solving mind maps make it easy to:

• Explain unfamiliar problems or processes in less time
• Share and elaborate on novel ideas
• Achieve better group comprehension that can lead to more effective solutions

Mind maps are a valuable problem solving tool because they’re geared toward bringing out the flexible thinking that creative solutions require. Here are three types of problem solving mind maps you can use to facilitate the brainstorming process.

4. Mental maps

A mental map helps you get your thoughts about what might be causing a workplace issue out of your head and onto a shared digital space.

Because mental maps mirror the way our brains take in and analyze new information, using them to describe your theories visually will help you and your team work through and test those thought models.

5. Idea maps

Idea maps let you take advantage of a wide assortment of colors and images to lay down and organize your scattered thought process. Idea maps are ideal brainstorming tools because they allow you to present and explore ideas about the best way to solve a problem collaboratively, and with a shared sense of enthusiasm for outside-the-box thinking.

6. Concept maps

Concept maps are one of the best ways to shape your thoughts around a potential solution because they let you create interlinked, visual representations of intricate concepts.

By laying out your suggested problem-solving process digitally – and using lines to form and define relationship connections – your group will be able to see how each piece of the solution puzzle connects with another.

Problem solving software solutions

Problem solving software is the best way to take advantage of multiple problem solving tools in one platform. While some software programs are geared toward specific industries or processes – like manufacturing or customer relationship management, for example – others, like MindManager , are purpose-built to work across multiple trades, departments, and teams.

Here are three problem-solving software examples.

7. Layered process audit software

Layered process audits (LPAs) help companies oversee production processes and keep an eye on the cost and quality of the goods they create. Dedicated LPA software makes problem solving easier for manufacturers because it helps them see where costly leaks are occurring and allows all levels of management to get involved in repairing those leaks.

8. Charting software

Charting software comes in all shapes and sizes to fit a variety of business sectors. Pareto charts, for example, combine bar charts with line graphs so companies can compare different problems or contributing factors to determine their frequency, cost, and significance. Charting software is often used in marketing, where a variety of bar charts and X-Y axis diagrams make it possible to display and examine competitor profiles, customer segmentation, and sales trends.

9. MindManager

No matter where you work, or what your problem-solving role looks like, MindManager is a problem solving software that will make your team more productive in figuring out why a process, plan, or project isn’t working the way it should.

Once you know why an obstruction, shortfall, or difficulty exists, you can use MindManager’s wide range of brainstorming and problem mapping diagrams to:

• Find the most promising way to correct the situation
• Activate your chosen solution, and
• Conduct regular checks to make sure your repair work is sustainable

MindManager is the ultimate problem solving software.

Not only is it versatile enough to use as your go-to system for puzzling out all types of workplace problems, MindManager’s built-in forecasting tools, timeline charts, and warning indicators let you plan, implement, and monitor your solutions.

By allowing your group to work together more effectively to break down problems, uncover solutions, and rebuild processes and workflows, MindManager’s versatile collection of problem solving tools will help make everyone on your team a more efficient problem solver.

Download a free trial today to get started!

Ready to take the next step?

MindManager helps boost collaboration and productivity among remote and hybrid teams to achieve better results, faster.

Why choose MindManager?

MindManager® helps individuals, teams, and enterprises bring greater clarity and structure to plans, projects, and processes. It provides visual productivity tools and mind mapping software to help take you and your organization to where you want to be.

Explore MindManager

Pre-Employment Problem Solving Tests

Why problem solving is important in the workplace.

Problems arise in the workplace on a daily basis. The ability to evaluate and resolve problems is a powerful skill that is applicable to a wide variety of positions. Problem solving can take a lot of different forms, including resolving a customer complaint, managing a conflict between coworkers, reallocating funds within a budget, or coming up with ways to improve a product's design. Any employee who is responsible for making decisions, either independently or within a team, will need sharp problem solving skills. Creative problem solving can also lead to new innovations that help businesses grow and evolve, which makes employees who can solve problems incredibly valuable.

Because problem solving is associated with creativity, logic, and reasoning ability, it can be evaluated through employment aptitude tests. . One cognitive aptitude test that employers often use to evaluate problem solving skills is the  Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) , a pre-employment aptitude test that measures an individual's aptitude, or ability to solve problems, digest and apply information, learn new skills, and think critically. The test assesses problem solving ability through math, verbal, and spatial reasoning questions.

Another aptitude test, the  Minicog Rapid Assessment Battery (MRAB) , is a series of nine short tests that measure a person's "information processing" functions. Funded by NASA to evaluate the cognitive functions of astronauts, the MRAB administers a fast-paced battery of different problems or tasks for the test-taker to solve. While the CCAT measures general aptitude, the MRAB is more of a test of cognitive fitness that assesses attention skills, concentration, working memory, and problem-solving ability.

If you're an employer interested in previewing these tests, start a  14-day free trial  or  book a consultation to learn more.

4 Step Rapid Problem Solving – Skill Level 1: Knowledge

Purpose – rapid problem solving, why is problem solving so important, download the top section of the 4 step rapid problem solving teach poster and the facilitation guide to review the “purpose, process & people” sections ..

Each visual from the Teach Poster will be covered in more detail in the below sections.

Problem Solving & the Lean Transformation Framework

Lean Thinking & Practice Starts with question 1 from the Lean Transformation Frame Work

What’s Your Value Driven Purpose?

What situational problems are you trying to solve ?

Key questions you need to answer for your situation :

Does everyone know the purpose of their work and why it is important?

Does everyone know the value they create and the contribution it makes to the organisation?

Does each person know their specific, situational problem to solve?

Asking and clarifying “what is the problem to solve” should be clear BEFORE you:

• Start any improvement to the work.
• Develop people to improve the work.
• Lead people to solve problems and make improvements.

Everyone should be able understand what “problems they need to solve” and how it’s connected to the value driven purpose of your organisation .

Watch the Teach Point Video On Problem Solving Purpose

Key Learning Points – Purpose

Problems are Good !

Having no problem is the biggest problem of all .

Taiichi Ohno

Once you know you have a problem you can do something about it.

We should see problems as opportunities for improvement, not hide them.

Remain Competitive

Grow the Organisation

Solving problems helps us to be better which helps us to grow and will keep us competitive in our value driven purpose

Develops the People

Teaching/Coaching and using problem solving skills needs to be everyone’s role not just for specialists. Helping people solve problems supports employee engagement.

Develops the Organisation

A learning organisation will grow and deliver business results faster, better and cheaper than others.

Now move onto the next Topic .

• Corpus ID: 182410582

Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving for Kids (RAPS-K)

• Hannah Perdew
• Published 2019

Figures from this paper

6 References

Raps—measuring problem solving in children with and without autism.

• Highly Influential

Update on a clinical measure for the assessment of problem solving.

A clinical measure for the assessment of problem solving in brain-injured adults., treatment of problem solving in alzheimer's disease: a short report, asking questions, related papers.

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