problem solving on a daily basis

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What does “daily problem solving” really look like in practice?

By Michael Ballé

July 11, 2016

Dear Gemba Coach: I hear the phrase “daily problem solving” a lot. But what does it really mean in practice and how does it work?

Dear Gemba Coach,

I hear the phrase “daily problem solving ” a lot. But what does it really mean in practice and how does it work ? Are we making improvements – changes – to work every day, including standard work; do we check with co-workers and supervisors daily on our changes?

There are two main ways of looking at this: (1) do I solve all problems daily so that, in the end, the process works perfectly or (2) do I use problem solving as a device to teach frontline staff more about their work so that less problems appear?

To put this in context, my father used to insist, at the plant manager level that fighting fires was part of the plant manager’s job – if he couldn’t do that, sooner or later, he’d get replaced. BUT the more fires you fight, the more fires will appear . So you’ve got to develop people’s ability to solve their own problems so that less fires get started. A highbrow way of saying that is the organizational capability of having less fires depends on the individual competence in avoiding starting fires in the first places or solving things when they’re very small fires – or, to use another expression I learned by a sensei , focus on the buds of problems, before they flower .

Sine we’re talking about the old days, Shigeo Shingo used to show that much of quality control is really issuing “death certificates” – the problem has already occurred and we’re trying to pull the body out of the flow of the living. The question is how to avoid the situation in the first place. Because experts can’t be on call everywhere all the time, the only logistically sound solution is to turn everyone into an expert.

Self-Directed Training

How do we do that? By seeing problem solving as a training technique, rather than seeing it as a, well, problem-solving techniques . We don’t want to fix every problem. We want to teach every person to better understand their job, and make sure the problem doesn’t occur in the first place. We want them to be autonomous in their problem solving which means:

• Do not walk past the bud of the problem without stopping and correcting the situation. The classical Chinese image is not walking past a child leaning into a well without holding them back. (At work, probably the hardest part, because in well-structured, process-oriented organizations, everyone thinks someone else should deal with the problem)
• Know how to solve a typical problem in a large variety of situations . The “one best way” rarely fits all situations and problem solving is highly contextual. Autonomy means solving the problem in making the outcome actually better, not going through the motions to find that, in the end, matters are worse.
• Know when to flag the issue because the fire has started to burn and it will soon become a raging blaze. This is much harder than it looks because most workplaces are set up to shoot the messenger, dismiss unfavorable information and never distract the boss from his or her wishful thinking. It takes a “problem first” culture, and clear understanding of the role of middle management to fight the natural tendency to sweep the issue under the rug and walk away hoping that no one has noticed we were the first on the scene.

As you can see, these are both cognitive (actual problem solving) and non-cognitive skills (the attitude to problems), which both need to be taught, and, since teaching it is hard, taught daily – hence the daily problem solving .

In this sense, daily problem solving means looking into one problem a day, not with the hope of solving all problems, but with the hope of learning more about our job (and our standards), every day.

For this to work, we need to realize that the problem solving structure – the PDCA , the A3 8-boxes, etc. – is nothing more (or less) than scaffolding to support problem solving. The aim is not to tick the boxes, but to get a better observation and discussion about the issue, which means getting closer to the “point of process,” the point where the tool (whether a computer system or a drill, or a press, etc.) hits the part, and the quality of the value add, compared to standards.

Observation and discussion of one problem a day (What is the point of cause? How do our standards help or hinder? What is the smart way to deal with this situation?) will progressively hone your mental model of what matters and what doesn’t in the normal situation, and so build from your experience and into your experience the orientation points needed to do the job well –and avoid future problems of the same sort.

Let’s look at this Toyota 5 why exercise:

The conclusion here is that racks should be designed so that the option specification sheet is in full view at the moment that parts are picked.

This means that we’ve learned a new point to be careful of when looking at how racks are set up on lines to make work easier for operators. With this in mind, the next line can be either kaizened in this way, or designed so the situation does not arise. The problem solving has led to reusable knowledge that will make this problem not occur again. And there, is the win.

Proof of Respect

To my mind, daily problem solving is indeed about sharing with supervisor and team how one person has solved one problem today (each day, one quick description of how one problem has been solved). The supervisor can ask all others to check their standards on the matter, and keep topics fresh in their minds. The engineering Toyota phrase I keep in mind is “80 points + alpha” – the 80 points one has to get right daily and the alpha improvement to do things a bit better. Daily problem solving is the opportunity to both (1) check the standards we need to have in mind (there are often so many that taking problems as an opportunity to revisit standards is important) and (2) the small plus to understand better the work from both the customer and employee point of view.

If we do this day in day out, we will find that performance increases because fires disappear, and that engagement increases as people feel more self-confident about both their work and working with their colleagues, other team members and supervisors. Daily problem solving is a proof of respect.

Written by:

About Michael Ballé

Michael Ballé is co-author of The Gold Mine, a best-selling business novel of lean turnaround, and recently The Lean Manager, a novel of lean transformation, both published by the Lean Enterprise Institute. For the past 25 years, he has studied lean transformation and helped companies develop a lean culture. He is…

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Problem-Solving Strategies and Obstacles

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Sean is a fact-checker and researcher with experience in sociology, field research, and data analytics.

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From deciding what to eat for dinner to considering whether it's the right time to buy a house, problem-solving is a large part of our daily lives. Learn some of the problem-solving strategies that exist and how to use them in real life, along with ways to overcome obstacles that are making it harder to resolve the issues you face.

What Is Problem-Solving?

In cognitive psychology , the term 'problem-solving' refers to the mental process that people go through to discover, analyze, and solve problems.

A problem exists when there is a goal that we want to achieve but the process by which we will achieve it is not obvious to us. Put another way, there is something that we want to occur in our life, yet we are not immediately certain how to make it happen.

Maybe you want a better relationship with your spouse or another family member but you're not sure how to improve it. Or you want to start a business but are unsure what steps to take. Problem-solving helps you figure out how to achieve these desires.

The problem-solving process involves:

• Discovery of the problem
• Deciding to tackle the issue
• Seeking to understand the problem more fully
• Researching available options or solutions
• Taking action to resolve the issue

Before problem-solving can occur, it is important to first understand the exact nature of the problem itself. If your understanding of the issue is faulty, your attempts to resolve it will also be incorrect or flawed.

Problem-Solving Mental Processes

Several mental processes are at work during problem-solving. Among them are:

• Perceptually recognizing the problem
• Representing the problem in memory
• Considering relevant information that applies to the problem
• Identifying different aspects of the problem
• Labeling and describing the problem

Problem-Solving Strategies

There are many ways to go about solving a problem. Some of these strategies might be used on their own, or you may decide to employ multiple approaches when working to figure out and fix a problem.

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure that, by following certain "rules" produces a solution. Algorithms are commonly used in mathematics to solve division or multiplication problems. But they can be used in other fields as well.

In psychology, algorithms can be used to help identify individuals with a greater risk of mental health issues. For instance, research suggests that certain algorithms might help us recognize children with an elevated risk of suicide or self-harm.

One benefit of algorithms is that they guarantee an accurate answer. However, they aren't always the best approach to problem-solving, in part because detecting patterns can be incredibly time-consuming.

There are also concerns when machine learning is involved—also known as artificial intelligence (AI)—such as whether they can accurately predict human behaviors.

Heuristics are shortcut strategies that people can use to solve a problem at hand. These "rule of thumb" approaches allow you to simplify complex problems, reducing the total number of possible solutions to a more manageable set.

If you find yourself sitting in a traffic jam, for example, you may quickly consider other routes, taking one to get moving once again. When shopping for a new car, you might think back to a prior experience when negotiating got you a lower price, then employ the same tactics.

While heuristics may be helpful when facing smaller issues, major decisions shouldn't necessarily be made using a shortcut approach. Heuristics also don't guarantee an effective solution, such as when trying to drive around a traffic jam only to find yourself on an equally crowded route.

Trial and Error

A trial-and-error approach to problem-solving involves trying a number of potential solutions to a particular issue, then ruling out those that do not work. If you're not sure whether to buy a shirt in blue or green, for instance, you may try on each before deciding which one to purchase.

This can be a good strategy to use if you have a limited number of solutions available. But if there are many different choices available, narrowing down the possible options using another problem-solving technique can be helpful before attempting trial and error.

In some cases, the solution to a problem can appear as a sudden insight. You are facing an issue in a relationship or your career when, out of nowhere, the solution appears in your mind and you know exactly what to do.

Insight can occur when the problem in front of you is similar to an issue that you've dealt with in the past. Although, you may not recognize what is occurring since the underlying mental processes that lead to insight often happen outside of conscious awareness .

Research indicates that insight is most likely to occur during times when you are alone—such as when going on a walk by yourself, when you're in the shower, or when lying in bed after waking up.

How to Apply Problem-Solving Strategies in Real Life

If you're facing a problem, you can implement one or more of these strategies to find a potential solution. Here's how to use them in real life:

• Create a flow chart . If you have time, you can take advantage of the algorithm approach to problem-solving by sitting down and making a flow chart of each potential solution, its consequences, and what happens next.
• Recall your past experiences . When a problem needs to be solved fairly quickly, heuristics may be a better approach. Think back to when you faced a similar issue, then use your knowledge and experience to choose the best option possible.
• Start trying potential solutions . If your options are limited, start trying them one by one to see which solution is best for achieving your desired goal. If a particular solution doesn't work, move on to the next.
• Take some time alone . Since insight is often achieved when you're alone, carve out time to be by yourself for a while. The answer to your problem may come to you, seemingly out of the blue, if you spend some time away from others.

Obstacles to Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is not a flawless process as there are a number of obstacles that can interfere with our ability to solve a problem quickly and efficiently. These obstacles include:

• Assumptions: When dealing with a problem, people can make assumptions about the constraints and obstacles that prevent certain solutions. Thus, they may not even try some potential options.
• Functional fixedness : This term refers to the tendency to view problems only in their customary manner. Functional fixedness prevents people from fully seeing all of the different options that might be available to find a solution.
• Irrelevant or misleading information: When trying to solve a problem, it's important to distinguish between information that is relevant to the issue and irrelevant data that can lead to faulty solutions. The more complex the problem, the easier it is to focus on misleading or irrelevant information.
• Mental set: A mental set is a tendency to only use solutions that have worked in the past rather than looking for alternative ideas. A mental set can work as a heuristic, making it a useful problem-solving tool. However, mental sets can also lead to inflexibility, making it more difficult to find effective solutions.

How to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills

In the end, if your goal is to become a better problem-solver, it's helpful to remember that this is a process. Thus, if you want to improve your problem-solving skills, following these steps can help lead you to your solution:

• Recognize that a problem exists . If you are facing a problem, there are generally signs. For instance, if you have a mental illness , you may experience excessive fear or sadness, mood changes, and changes in sleeping or eating habits. Recognizing these signs can help you realize that an issue exists.
• Decide to solve the problem . Make a conscious decision to solve the issue at hand. Commit to yourself that you will go through the steps necessary to find a solution.
• Seek to fully understand the issue . Analyze the problem you face, looking at it from all sides. If your problem is relationship-related, for instance, ask yourself how the other person may be interpreting the issue. You might also consider how your actions might be contributing to the situation.
• Research potential options . Using the problem-solving strategies mentioned, research potential solutions. Make a list of options, then consider each one individually. What are some pros and cons of taking the available routes? What would you need to do to make them happen?
• Take action . Select the best solution possible and take action. Action is one of the steps required for change . So, go through the motions needed to resolve the issue.
• Try another option, if needed . If the solution you chose didn't work, don't give up. Either go through the problem-solving process again or simply try another option.

You can find a way to solve your problems as long as you keep working toward this goal—even if the best solution is simply to let go because no other good solution exists.

Sarathy V. Real world problem-solving .  Front Hum Neurosci . 2018;12:261. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00261

Dunbar K. Problem solving . A Companion to Cognitive Science . 2017. doi:10.1002/9781405164535.ch20

Stewart SL, Celebre A, Hirdes JP, Poss JW. Risk of suicide and self-harm in kids: The development of an algorithm to identify high-risk individuals within the children's mental health system . Child Psychiat Human Develop . 2020;51:913-924. doi:10.1007/s10578-020-00968-9

Rosenbusch H, Soldner F, Evans AM, Zeelenberg M. Supervised machine learning methods in psychology: A practical introduction with annotated R code . Soc Personal Psychol Compass . 2021;15(2):e12579. doi:10.1111/spc3.12579

Mishra S. Decision-making under risk: Integrating perspectives from biology, economics, and psychology . Personal Soc Psychol Rev . 2014;18(3):280-307. doi:10.1177/1088868314530517

Csikszentmihalyi M, Sawyer K. Creative insight: The social dimension of a solitary moment . In: The Systems Model of Creativity . 2015:73-98. doi:10.1007/978-94-017-9085-7_7

Chrysikou EG, Motyka K, Nigro C, Yang SI, Thompson-Schill SL. Functional fixedness in creative thinking tasks depends on stimulus modality .  Psychol Aesthet Creat Arts . 2016;10(4):425‐435. doi:10.1037/aca0000050

Huang F, Tang S, Hu Z. Unconditional perseveration of the short-term mental set in chunk decomposition .  Front Psychol . 2018;9:2568. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02568

National Alliance on Mental Illness. Warning signs and symptoms .

Mayer RE. Thinking, problem solving, cognition, 2nd ed .

Schooler JW, Ohlsson S, Brooks K. Thoughts beyond words: When language overshadows insight. J Experiment Psychol: General . 1993;122:166-183. doi:10.1037/0096-3445.2.166

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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10 Problem-solving strategies to turn challenges on their head

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What is an example of problem-solving?

What are the 5 steps to problem-solving, 10 effective problem-solving strategies, what skills do efficient problem solvers have, how to improve your problem-solving skills.

Problems come in all shapes and sizes — from workplace conflict to budget cuts.

Creative problem-solving is one of the most in-demand skills in all roles and industries. It can boost an organization’s human capital and give it a competitive edge. 

Problem-solving strategies are ways of approaching problems that can help you look beyond the obvious answers and find the best solution to your problem . 

Let’s take a look at a five-step problem-solving process and how to combine it with proven problem-solving strategies. This will give you the tools and skills to solve even your most complex problems.

Good problem-solving is an essential part of the decision-making process . To see what a problem-solving process might look like in real life, let’s take a common problem for SaaS brands — decreasing customer churn rates.

To solve this problem, the company must first identify it. In this case, the problem is that the churn rate is too high. 

Next, they need to identify the root causes of the problem. This could be anything from their customer service experience to their email marketing campaigns. If there are several problems, they will need a separate problem-solving process for each one. 

Let’s say the problem is with email marketing — they’re not nurturing existing customers. Now that they’ve identified the problem, they can start using problem-solving strategies to look for solutions. 

This might look like coming up with special offers, discounts, or bonuses for existing customers. They need to find ways to remind them to use their products and services while providing added value. This will encourage customers to keep paying their monthly subscriptions.

They might also want to add incentives, such as access to a premium service at no extra cost after 12 months of membership. They could publish blog posts that help their customers solve common problems and share them as an email newsletter.

The company should set targets and a time frame in which to achieve them. This will allow leaders to measure progress and identify which actions yield the best results.

Perhaps you’ve got a problem you need to tackle. Or maybe you want to be prepared the next time one arises. Either way, it’s a good idea to get familiar with the five steps of problem-solving. 

Use this step-by-step problem-solving method with the strategies in the following section to find possible solutions to your problem.

1. Identify the problem

The first step is to know which problem you need to solve. Then, you need to find the root cause of the problem. 

The best course of action is to gather as much data as possible, speak to the people involved, and separate facts from opinions. 

Once this is done, formulate a statement that describes the problem. Use rational persuasion to make sure your team agrees .

2. Break the problem down 

Identifying the problem allows you to see which steps need to be taken to solve it. 

First, break the problem down into achievable blocks. Then, use strategic planning to set a time frame in which to solve the problem and establish a timeline for the completion of each stage.

3. Generate potential solutions

At this stage, the aim isn’t to evaluate possible solutions but to generate as many ideas as possible. 

Encourage your team to use creative thinking and be patient — the best solution may not be the first or most obvious one.

Use one or more of the different strategies in the following section to help come up with solutions — the more creative, the better.

4. Evaluate the possible solutions

Once you’ve generated potential solutions, narrow them down to a shortlist. Then, evaluate the options on your shortlist. 

There are usually many factors to consider. So when evaluating a solution, ask yourself the following questions:

• Will my team be on board with the proposition?
• Does the solution align with organizational goals ?
• Is the solution likely to achieve the desired outcomes?
• Is the solution realistic and possible with current resources and constraints?
• Will the solution solve the problem without causing additional unintended problems?

5. Implement and monitor the solutions

Once you’ve identified your solution and got buy-in from your team, it’s time to implement it. 

But the work doesn’t stop there. You need to monitor your solution to see whether it actually solves your problem. 

Request regular feedback from the team members involved and have a monitoring and evaluation plan in place to measure progress.

If the solution doesn’t achieve your desired results, start this step-by-step process again.

There are many different ways to approach problem-solving. Each is suitable for different types of problems. 

The most appropriate problem-solving techniques will depend on your specific problem. You may need to experiment with several strategies before you find a workable solution.

Here are 10 effective problem-solving strategies for you to try:

• Use a solution that worked before
• Brainstorming
• Work backward
• Use the Kipling method
• Draw the problem
• Use trial and error
• Sleep on it
• Get advice from your peers
• Use the Pareto principle
• Add successful solutions to your toolkit

Let’s break each of these down.

1. Use a solution that worked before

It might seem obvious, but if you’ve faced similar problems in the past, look back to what worked then. See if any of the solutions could apply to your current situation and, if so, replicate them.

2. Brainstorming

The more people you enlist to help solve the problem, the more potential solutions you can come up with.

Use different brainstorming techniques to workshop potential solutions with your team. They’ll likely bring something you haven’t thought of to the table.

3. Work backward

Working backward is a way to reverse engineer your problem. Imagine your problem has been solved, and make that the starting point.

Then, retrace your steps back to where you are now. This can help you see which course of action may be most effective.

4. Use the Kipling method

This is a method that poses six questions based on Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “ I Keep Six Honest Serving Men .” 

• What is the problem?
• Why is the problem important?
• When did the problem arise, and when does it need to be solved?
• How did the problem happen?
• Where is the problem occurring?
• Who does the problem affect?

Answering these questions can help you identify possible solutions.

5. Draw the problem

Sometimes it can be difficult to visualize all the components and moving parts of a problem and its solution. Drawing a diagram can help.

This technique is particularly helpful for solving process-related problems. For example, a product development team might want to decrease the time they take to fix bugs and create new iterations. Drawing the processes involved can help you see where improvements can be made.

6. Use trial-and-error

A trial-and-error approach can be useful when you have several possible solutions and want to test them to see which one works best.

7. Sleep on it

Finding the best solution to a problem is a process. Remember to take breaks and get enough rest . Sometimes, a walk around the block can bring inspiration, but you should sleep on it if possible.

A good night’s sleep helps us find creative solutions to problems. This is because when you sleep, your brain sorts through the day’s events and stores them as memories. This enables you to process your ideas at a subconscious level. 

If possible, give yourself a few days to develop and analyze possible solutions. You may find you have greater clarity after sleeping on it. Your mind will also be fresh, so you’ll be able to make better decisions.

8. Get advice from your peers

Getting input from a group of people can help you find solutions you may not have thought of on your own. 

For solo entrepreneurs or freelancers, this might look like hiring a coach or mentor or joining a mastermind group. 

For leaders , it might be consulting other members of the leadership team or working with a business coach .

It’s important to recognize you might not have all the skills, experience, or knowledge necessary to find a solution alone. 

9. Use the Pareto principle

The Pareto principle — also known as the 80/20 rule — can help you identify possible root causes and potential solutions for your problems.

Although it’s not a mathematical law, it’s a principle found throughout many aspects of business and life. For example, 20% of the sales reps in a company might close 80% of the sales. 

You may be able to narrow down the causes of your problem by applying the Pareto principle. This can also help you identify the most appropriate solutions.

10. Add successful solutions to your toolkit

Every situation is different, and the same solutions might not always work. But by keeping a record of successful problem-solving strategies, you can build up a solutions toolkit. 

These solutions may be applicable to future problems. Even if not, they may save you some of the time and work needed to come up with a new solution.

Improving problem-solving skills is essential for professional development — both yours and your team’s. Here are some of the key skills of effective problem solvers:

• Critical thinking and analytical skills
• Communication skills , including active listening
• Decision-making
• Planning and prioritization
• Emotional intelligence , including empathy and emotional regulation
• Time management
• Data analysis
• Research skills
• Project management

And they see problems as opportunities. Everyone is born with problem-solving skills. But accessing these abilities depends on how we view problems. Effective problem-solvers see problems as opportunities to learn and improve.

Ready to work on your problem-solving abilities? Get started with these seven tips.

1. Build your problem-solving skills

One of the best ways to improve your problem-solving skills is to learn from experts. Consider enrolling in organizational training , shadowing a mentor , or working with a coach .

2. Practice

Practice using your new problem-solving skills by applying them to smaller problems you might encounter in your daily life. 

Alternatively, imagine problematic scenarios that might arise at work and use problem-solving strategies to find hypothetical solutions.

3. Don’t try to find a solution right away

Often, the first solution you think of to solve a problem isn’t the most appropriate or effective.

Instead of thinking on the spot, give yourself time and use one or more of the problem-solving strategies above to activate your creative thinking. 

4. Ask for feedback

Receiving feedback is always important for learning and growth. Your perception of your problem-solving skills may be different from that of your colleagues. They can provide insights that help you improve. 

5. Learn new approaches and methodologies

There are entire books written about problem-solving methodologies if you want to take a deep dive into the subject. 

We recommend starting with “ Fixed — How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem Solving ” by Amy E. Herman. 

6. Experiment

Tried-and-tested problem-solving techniques can be useful. However, they don’t teach you how to innovate and develop your own problem-solving approaches. 

Sometimes, an unconventional approach can lead to the development of a brilliant new idea or strategy. So don’t be afraid to suggest your most “out there” ideas.

7. Analyze the success of your competitors

Do you have competitors who have already solved the problem you’re facing? Look at what they did, and work backward to solve your own problem. 

For example, Netflix started in the 1990s as a DVD mail-rental company. Its main competitor at the time was Blockbuster. 

But when streaming became the norm in the early 2000s, both companies faced a crisis. Netflix innovated, unveiling its streaming service in 2007. 

If Blockbuster had followed Netflix’s example, it might have survived. Instead, it declared bankruptcy in 2010.

Use problem-solving strategies to uplevel your business

When facing a problem, it’s worth taking the time to find the right solution. 

Otherwise, we risk either running away from our problems or headlong into solutions. When we do this, we might miss out on other, better options.

Use the problem-solving strategies outlined above to find innovative solutions to your business’ most perplexing problems.

If you’re ready to take problem-solving to the next level, request a demo with BetterUp . Our expert coaches specialize in helping teams develop and implement strategies that work.

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Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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What is Problem Solving? (Steps, Techniques, Examples)

By Status.net Editorial Team on May 7, 2023 — 5 minutes to read

What Is Problem Solving?

Definition and importance.

Problem solving is the process of finding solutions to obstacles or challenges you encounter in your life or work. It is a crucial skill that allows you to tackle complex situations, adapt to changes, and overcome difficulties with ease. Mastering this ability will contribute to both your personal and professional growth, leading to more successful outcomes and better decision-making.

Problem-Solving Steps

The problem-solving process typically includes the following steps:

• Identify the issue : Recognize the problem that needs to be solved.
• Analyze the situation : Examine the issue in depth, gather all relevant information, and consider any limitations or constraints that may be present.
• Generate potential solutions : Brainstorm a list of possible solutions to the issue, without immediately judging or evaluating them.
• Evaluate options : Weigh the pros and cons of each potential solution, considering factors such as feasibility, effectiveness, and potential risks.
• Select the best solution : Choose the option that best addresses the problem and aligns with your objectives.
• Implement the solution : Put the selected solution into action and monitor the results to ensure it resolves the issue.
• Review and learn : Reflect on the problem-solving process, identify any improvements or adjustments that can be made, and apply these learnings to future situations.

Defining the Problem

To start tackling a problem, first, identify and understand it. Analyzing the issue thoroughly helps to clarify its scope and nature. Ask questions to gather information and consider the problem from various angles. Some strategies to define the problem include:

• Brainstorming with others
• Asking the 5 Ws and 1 H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How)
• Analyzing cause and effect
• Creating a problem statement

Generating Solutions

Once the problem is clearly understood, brainstorm possible solutions. Think creatively and keep an open mind, as well as considering lessons from past experiences. Consider:

• Creating a list of potential ideas to solve the problem
• Grouping and categorizing similar solutions
• Prioritizing potential solutions based on feasibility, cost, and resources required
• Involving others to share diverse opinions and inputs

Evaluating and Selecting Solutions

Evaluate each potential solution, weighing its pros and cons. To facilitate decision-making, use techniques such as:

• SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)
• Decision-making matrices
• Pros and cons lists
• Risk assessments

After evaluating, choose the most suitable solution based on effectiveness, cost, and time constraints.

Implementing and Monitoring the Solution

Implement the chosen solution and monitor its progress. Key actions include:

• Communicating the solution to relevant parties
• Setting timelines and milestones
• Assigning tasks and responsibilities
• Monitoring the solution and making adjustments as necessary
• Evaluating the effectiveness of the solution after implementation

Utilize feedback from stakeholders and consider potential improvements. Remember that problem-solving is an ongoing process that can always be refined and enhanced.

Problem-Solving Techniques

During each step, you may find it helpful to utilize various problem-solving techniques, such as:

• Brainstorming : A free-flowing, open-minded session where ideas are generated and listed without judgment, to encourage creativity and innovative thinking.
• Root cause analysis : A method that explores the underlying causes of a problem to find the most effective solution rather than addressing superficial symptoms.
• SWOT analysis : A tool used to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to a problem or decision, providing a comprehensive view of the situation.
• Mind mapping : A visual technique that uses diagrams to organize and connect ideas, helping to identify patterns, relationships, and possible solutions.

Brainstorming

When facing a problem, start by conducting a brainstorming session. Gather your team and encourage an open discussion where everyone contributes ideas, no matter how outlandish they may seem. This helps you:

• Generate a diverse range of solutions
• Encourage all team members to participate
• Foster creative thinking

When brainstorming, remember to:

• Reserve judgment until the session is over
• Encourage wild ideas
• Combine and improve upon ideas

Root Cause Analysis

For effective problem-solving, identifying the root cause of the issue at hand is crucial. Try these methods:

• 5 Whys : Ask “why” five times to get to the underlying cause.
• Fishbone Diagram : Create a diagram representing the problem and break it down into categories of potential causes.
• Pareto Analysis : Determine the few most significant causes underlying the majority of problems.

SWOT Analysis

SWOT analysis helps you examine the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to your problem. To perform a SWOT analysis:

• List your problem’s strengths, such as relevant resources or strong partnerships.
• Identify its weaknesses, such as knowledge gaps or limited resources.
• Explore opportunities, like trends or new technologies, that could help solve the problem.
• Recognize potential threats, like competition or regulatory barriers.

SWOT analysis aids in understanding the internal and external factors affecting the problem, which can help guide your solution.

Mind Mapping

A mind map is a visual representation of your problem and potential solutions. It enables you to organize information in a structured and intuitive manner. To create a mind map:

• Write the problem in the center of a blank page.
• Draw branches from the central problem to related sub-problems or contributing factors.
• Add more branches to represent potential solutions or further ideas.

Mind mapping allows you to visually see connections between ideas and promotes creativity in problem-solving.

Examples of Problem Solving in Various Contexts

In the business world, you might encounter problems related to finances, operations, or communication. Applying problem-solving skills in these situations could look like:

• Identifying areas of improvement in your company’s financial performance and implementing cost-saving measures
• Resolving internal conflicts among team members by listening and understanding different perspectives, then proposing and negotiating solutions
• Streamlining a process for better productivity by removing redundancies, automating tasks, or re-allocating resources

In educational contexts, problem-solving can be seen in various aspects, such as:

• Addressing a gap in students’ understanding by employing diverse teaching methods to cater to different learning styles
• Developing a strategy for successful time management to balance academic responsibilities and extracurricular activities
• Seeking resources and support to provide equal opportunities for learners with special needs or disabilities

Everyday life is full of challenges that require problem-solving skills. Some examples include:

• Overcoming a personal obstacle, such as improving your fitness level, by establishing achievable goals, measuring progress, and adjusting your approach accordingly
• Navigating a new environment or city by researching your surroundings, asking for directions, or using technology like GPS to guide you
• Dealing with a sudden change, like a change in your work schedule, by assessing the situation, identifying potential impacts, and adapting your plans to accommodate the change.
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40 problem-solving techniques and processes

All teams and organizations encounter challenges. Approaching those challenges without a structured problem solving process can end up making things worse.

Proven problem solving techniques such as those outlined below can guide your group through a process of identifying problems and challenges , ideating on possible solutions , and then evaluating and implementing the most suitable .

In this post, you'll find problem-solving tools you can use to develop effective solutions. You'll also find some tips for facilitating the problem solving process and solving complex problems.

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What is problem solving?

Problem solving is a process of finding and implementing a solution to a challenge or obstacle. In most contexts, this means going through a problem solving process that begins with identifying the issue, exploring its root causes, ideating and refining possible solutions before implementing and measuring the impact of that solution.

For simple or small problems, it can be tempting to skip straight to implementing what you believe is the right solution. The danger with this approach is that without exploring the true causes of the issue, it might just occur again or your chosen solution may cause other issues.

Particularly in the world of work, good problem solving means using data to back up each step of the process, bringing in new perspectives and effectively measuring the impact of your solution.

Effective problem solving can help ensure that your team or organization is well positioned to overcome challenges, be resilient to change and create innovation. In my experience, problem solving is a combination of skillset, mindset and process, and it’s especially vital for leaders to cultivate this skill.

What is the seven step problem solving process?

A problem solving process is a step-by-step framework from going from discovering a problem all the way through to implementing a solution.

With practice, this framework can become intuitive, and innovative companies tend to have a consistent and ongoing ability to discover and tackle challenges when they come up.

You might see everything from a four step problem solving process through to seven steps. While all these processes cover roughly the same ground, I’ve found a seven step problem solving process is helpful for making all key steps legible.

We’ll outline that process here and then follow with techniques you can use to explore and work on that step of the problem solving process with a group.

The seven-step problem solving process is:

1. Problem identification 

The first stage of any problem solving process is to identify the problem(s) you need to solve. This often looks like using group discussions and activities to help a group surface and effectively articulate the challenges they’re facing and wish to resolve.

Be sure to align with your team on the exact definition and nature of the problem you’re solving. An effective process is one where everyone is pulling in the same direction – ensure clarity and alignment now to help avoid misunderstandings later.

2. Problem analysis and refinement

The process of problem analysis means ensuring that the problem you are seeking to solve is  the   right problem . Choosing the right problem to solve means you are on the right path to creating the right solution.

At this stage, you may look deeper at the problem you identified to try and discover the root cause at the level of people or process. You may also spend some time sourcing data, consulting relevant parties and creating and refining a problem statement.

Problem refinement means adjusting scope or focus of the problem you will be aiming to solve based on what comes up during your analysis. As you analyze data sources, you might discover that the root cause means you need to adjust your problem statement. Alternatively, you might find that your original problem statement is too big to be meaningful approached within your current project.

Remember that the goal of any problem refinement is to help set the stage for effective solution development and deployment. Set the right focus and get buy-in from your team here and you’ll be well positioned to move forward with confidence.

3. Solution generation

Once your group has nailed down the particulars of the problem you wish to solve, you want to encourage a free flow of ideas connecting to solving that problem. This can take the form of problem solving games that encourage creative thinking or techniquess designed to produce working prototypes of possible solutions. 

The key to ensuring the success of this stage of the problem solving process is to encourage quick, creative thinking and create an open space where all ideas are considered. The best solutions can often come from unlikely places and by using problem solving techniques that celebrate invention, you might come up with solution gold. 

4. Solution development

No solution is perfect right out of the gate. It’s important to discuss and develop the solutions your group has come up with over the course of following the previous problem solving steps in order to arrive at the best possible solution. Problem solving games used in this stage involve lots of critical thinking, measuring potential effort and impact, and looking at possible solutions analytically. 

During this stage, you will often ask your team to iterate and improve upon your front-running solutions and develop them further. Remember that problem solving strategies always benefit from a multitude of voices and opinions, and not to let ego get involved when it comes to choosing which solutions to develop and take further.

Finding the best solution is the goal of all problem solving workshops and here is the place to ensure that your solution is well thought out, sufficiently robust and fit for purpose. 

5. Decision making and planning

Nearly there! Once you’ve got a set of possible, you’ll need to make a decision on which to implement. This can be a consensus-based group decision or it might be for a leader or major stakeholder to decide. You’ll find a set of effective decision making methods below.

Once your group has reached consensus and selected a solution, there are some additional actions that also need to be decided upon. You’ll want to work on allocating ownership of the project, figure out who will do what, how the success of the solution will be measured and decide the next course of action.

Set clear accountabilities, actions, timeframes, and follow-ups for your chosen solution. Make these decisions and set clear next-steps in the problem solving workshop so that everyone is aligned and you can move forward effectively as a group. 

Ensuring that you plan for the roll-out of a solution is one of the most important problem solving steps. Without adequate planning or oversight, it can prove impossible to measure success or iterate further if the problem was not solved. 

6. Solution implementation 

This is what we were waiting for! All problem solving processes have the end goal of implementing an effective and impactful solution that your group has confidence in.

Project management and communication skills are key here – your solution may need to adjust when out in the wild or you might discover new challenges along the way. For some solutions, you might also implement a test with a small group and monitor results before rolling it out to an entire company.

You should have a clear owner for your solution who will oversee the plans you made together and help ensure they’re put into place. This person will often coordinate the implementation team and set-up processes to measure the efficacy of your solution too.

7. Solution evaluation 

So you and your team developed a great solution to a problem and have a gut feeling it’s been solved. Work done, right? Wrong. All problem solving strategies benefit from evaluation, consideration, and feedback.

You might find that the solution does not work for everyone, might create new problems, or is potentially so successful that you will want to roll it out to larger teams or as part of other initiatives. 

None of that is possible without taking the time to evaluate the success of the solution you developed in your problem solving model and adjust if necessary.

Remember that the problem solving process is often iterative and it can be common to not solve complex issues on the first try. Even when this is the case, you and your team will have generated learning that will be important for future problem solving workshops or in other parts of the organization. 

It’s also worth underlining how important record keeping is throughout the problem solving process. If a solution didn’t work, you need to have the data and records to see why that was the case. If you go back to the drawing board, notes from the previous workshop can help save time.

What does an effective problem solving process look like?

Every effective problem solving process begins with an agenda . In our experience, a well-structured problem solving workshop is one of the best methods for successfully guiding a group from exploring a problem to implementing a solution.

The format of a workshop ensures that you can get buy-in from your group, encourage free-thinking and solution exploration before making a decision on what to implement following the session.

This Design Sprint 2.0 template is an effective problem solving process from top agency AJ&Smart. It’s a great format for the entire problem solving process, with four-days of workshops designed to surface issues, explore solutions and even test a solution.

Check it for an example of how you might structure and run a problem solving process and feel free to copy and adjust it your needs!

For a shorter process you can run in a single afternoon, this remote problem solving agenda will guide you effectively in just a couple of hours.

Whatever the length of your workshop, by using SessionLab, it’s easy to go from an idea to a complete agenda . Start by dragging and dropping your core problem solving activities into place . Add timings, breaks and necessary materials before sharing your agenda with your colleagues.

The resulting agenda will be your guide to an effective and productive problem solving session that will also help you stay organized on the day!

Complete problem-solving methods

In this section, we’ll look at in-depth problem-solving methods that provide a complete end-to-end process for developing effective solutions. These will help guide your team from the discovery and definition of a problem through to delivering the right solution.

If you’re looking for an all-encompassing method or problem-solving model, these processes are a great place to start. They’ll ask your team to challenge preconceived ideas and adopt a mindset for solving problems more effectively.

Six Thinking Hats

Individual approaches to solving a problem can be very different based on what team or role an individual holds. It can be easy for existing biases or perspectives to find their way into the mix, or for internal politics to direct a conversation.

Six Thinking Hats is a classic method for identifying the problems that need to be solved and enables your team to consider them from different angles, whether that is by focusing on facts and data, creative solutions, or by considering why a particular solution might not work.

Like all problem-solving frameworks, Six Thinking Hats is effective at helping teams remove roadblocks from a conversation or discussion and come to terms with all the aspects necessary to solve complex problems.

The Six Thinking Hats   #creative thinking   #meeting facilitation   #problem solving   #issue resolution   #idea generation   #conflict resolution   The Six Thinking Hats are used by individuals and groups to separate out conflicting styles of thinking. They enable and encourage a group of people to think constructively together in exploring and implementing change, rather than using argument to fight over who is right and who is wrong.

Lightning Decision Jam

Featured courtesy of Jonathan Courtney of AJ&Smart Berlin, Lightning Decision Jam is one of those strategies that should be in every facilitation toolbox. Exploring problems and finding solutions is often creative in nature, though as with any creative process, there is the potential to lose focus and get lost.

Unstructured discussions might get you there in the end, but it’s much more effective to use a method that creates a clear process and team focus.

In Lightning Decision Jam, participants are invited to begin by writing challenges, concerns, or mistakes on post-its without discussing them before then being invited by the moderator to present them to the group.

From there, the team vote on which problems to solve and are guided through steps that will allow them to reframe those problems, create solutions and then decide what to execute on. 

By deciding the problems that need to be solved as a team before moving on, this group process is great for ensuring the whole team is aligned and can take ownership over the next stages. 

Lightning Decision Jam (LDJ)   #action   #decision making   #problem solving   #issue analysis   #innovation   #design   #remote-friendly   It doesn’t matter where you work and what your job role is, if you work with other people together as a team, you will always encounter the same challenges: Unclear goals and miscommunication that cause busy work and overtime Unstructured meetings that leave attendants tired, confused and without clear outcomes. Frustration builds up because internal challenges to productivity are not addressed Sudden changes in priorities lead to a loss of focus and momentum Muddled compromise takes the place of clear decision- making, leaving everybody to come up with their own interpretation. In short, a lack of structure leads to a waste of time and effort, projects that drag on for too long and frustrated, burnt out teams. AJ&Smart has worked with some of the most innovative, productive companies in the world. What sets their teams apart from others is not better tools, bigger talent or more beautiful offices. The secret sauce to becoming a more productive, more creative and happier team is simple: Replace all open discussion or brainstorming with a structured process that leads to more ideas, clearer decisions and better outcomes. When a good process provides guardrails and a clear path to follow, it becomes easier to come up with ideas, make decisions and solve problems. This is why AJ&Smart created Lightning Decision Jam (LDJ). It’s a simple and short, but powerful group exercise that can be run either in-person, in the same room, or remotely with distributed teams.

Problem Definition Process

While problems can be complex, the problem-solving methods you use to identify and solve those problems can often be simple in design. 

By taking the time to truly identify and define a problem before asking the group to reframe the challenge as an opportunity, this method is a great way to enable change.

Begin by identifying a focus question and exploring the ways in which it manifests before splitting into five teams who will each consider the problem using a different method: escape, reversal, exaggeration, distortion or wishful. Teams develop a problem objective and create ideas in line with their method before then feeding them back to the group.

This method is great for enabling in-depth discussions while also creating space for finding creative solutions too!

Problem Definition   #problem solving   #idea generation   #creativity   #online   #remote-friendly   A problem solving technique to define a problem, challenge or opportunity and to generate ideas.

The 5 Whys 

Sometimes, a group needs to go further with their strategies and analyze the root cause at the heart of organizational issues. An RCA or root cause analysis is the process of identifying what is at the heart of business problems or recurring challenges. 

The 5 Whys is a simple and effective method of helping a group go find the root cause of any problem or challenge and conduct analysis that will deliver results. 

By beginning with the creation of a problem statement and going through five stages to refine it, The 5 Whys provides everything you need to truly discover the cause of an issue.

The 5 Whys   #hyperisland   #innovation   This simple and powerful method is useful for getting to the core of a problem or challenge. As the title suggests, the group defines a problems, then asks the question “why” five times, often using the resulting explanation as a starting point for creative problem solving.

World Cafe is a simple but powerful facilitation technique to help bigger groups to focus their energy and attention on solving complex problems.

World Cafe enables this approach by creating a relaxed atmosphere where participants are able to self-organize and explore topics relevant and important to them which are themed around a central problem-solving purpose. Create the right atmosphere by modeling your space after a cafe and after guiding the group through the method, let them take the lead!

Making problem-solving a part of your organization’s culture in the long term can be a difficult undertaking. More approachable formats like World Cafe can be especially effective in bringing people unfamiliar with workshops into the fold. 

World Cafe   #hyperisland   #innovation   #issue analysis   World Café is a simple yet powerful method, originated by Juanita Brown, for enabling meaningful conversations driven completely by participants and the topics that are relevant and important to them. Facilitators create a cafe-style space and provide simple guidelines. Participants then self-organize and explore a set of relevant topics or questions for conversation.

Discovery & Action Dialogue (DAD)

One of the best approaches is to create a safe space for a group to share and discover practices and behaviors that can help them find their own solutions.

With DAD, you can help a group choose which problems they wish to solve and which approaches they will take to do so. It’s great at helping remove resistance to change and can help get buy-in at every level too!

This process of enabling frontline ownership is great in ensuring follow-through and is one of the methods you will want in your toolbox as a facilitator.

Discovery & Action Dialogue (DAD)   #idea generation   #liberating structures   #action   #issue analysis   #remote-friendly   DADs make it easy for a group or community to discover practices and behaviors that enable some individuals (without access to special resources and facing the same constraints) to find better solutions than their peers to common problems. These are called positive deviant (PD) behaviors and practices. DADs make it possible for people in the group, unit, or community to discover by themselves these PD practices. DADs also create favorable conditions for stimulating participants’ creativity in spaces where they can feel safe to invent new and more effective practices. Resistance to change evaporates as participants are unleashed to choose freely which practices they will adopt or try and which problems they will tackle. DADs make it possible to achieve frontline ownership of solutions.

Design Sprint 2.0

Want to see how a team can solve big problems and move forward with prototyping and testing solutions in a few days? The Design Sprint 2.0 template from Jake Knapp, author of Sprint, is a complete agenda for a with proven results.

Developing the right agenda can involve difficult but necessary planning. Ensuring all the correct steps are followed can also be stressful or time-consuming depending on your level of experience.

Use this complete 4-day workshop template if you are finding there is no obvious solution to your challenge and want to focus your team around a specific problem that might require a shortcut to launching a minimum viable product or waiting for the organization-wide implementation of a solution.

Open space technology

Open space technology- developed by Harrison Owen – creates a space where large groups are invited to take ownership of their problem solving and lead individual sessions. Open space technology is a great format when you have a great deal of expertise and insight in the room and want to allow for different takes and approaches on a particular theme or problem you need to be solved.

Start by bringing your participants together to align around a central theme and focus their efforts. Explain the ground rules to help guide the problem-solving process and then invite members to identify any issue connecting to the central theme that they are interested in and are prepared to take responsibility for.

Once participants have decided on their approach to the core theme, they write their issue on a piece of paper, announce it to the group, pick a session time and place, and post the paper on the wall. As the wall fills up with sessions, the group is then invited to join the sessions that interest them the most and which they can contribute to, then you’re ready to begin!

Everyone joins the problem-solving group they’ve signed up to, record the discussion and if appropriate, findings can then be shared with the rest of the group afterward.

Open Space Technology   #action plan   #idea generation   #problem solving   #issue analysis   #large group   #online   #remote-friendly   Open Space is a methodology for large groups to create their agenda discerning important topics for discussion, suitable for conferences, community gatherings and whole system facilitation

Techniques to identify and analyze problems

Using a problem-solving method to help a team identify and analyze a problem can be a quick and effective addition to any workshop or meeting.

While further actions are always necessary, you can generate momentum and alignment easily, and these activities are a great place to get started.

We’ve put together this list of techniques to help you and your team with problem identification, analysis, and discussion that sets the foundation for developing effective solutions.

Let’s take a look!

Fishbone Analysis

Organizational or team challenges are rarely simple, and it’s important to remember that one problem can be an indication of something that goes deeper and may require further consideration to be solved.

Fishbone Analysis helps groups to dig deeper and understand the origins of a problem. It’s a great example of a root cause analysis method that is simple for everyone on a team to get their head around. 

Participants in this activity are asked to annotate a diagram of a fish, first adding the problem or issue to be worked on at the head of a fish before then brainstorming the root causes of the problem and adding them as bones on the fish. 

Using abstractions such as a diagram of a fish can really help a team break out of their regular thinking and develop a creative approach.

Fishbone Analysis   #problem solving   ##root cause analysis   #decision making   #online facilitation   A process to help identify and understand the origins of problems, issues or observations.

Problem Tree 

Encouraging visual thinking can be an essential part of many strategies. By simply reframing and clarifying problems, a group can move towards developing a problem solving model that works for them. 

In Problem Tree, groups are asked to first brainstorm a list of problems – these can be design problems, team problems or larger business problems – and then organize them into a hierarchy. The hierarchy could be from most important to least important or abstract to practical, though the key thing with problem solving games that involve this aspect is that your group has some way of managing and sorting all the issues that are raised.

Once you have a list of problems that need to be solved and have organized them accordingly, you’re then well-positioned for the next problem solving steps.

Problem tree   #define intentions   #create   #design   #issue analysis   A problem tree is a tool to clarify the hierarchy of problems addressed by the team within a design project; it represents high level problems or related sublevel problems.

SWOT Analysis

Chances are you’ve heard of the SWOT Analysis before. This problem-solving method focuses on identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats is a tried and tested method for both individuals and teams.

Start by creating a desired end state or outcome and bare this in mind – any process solving model is made more effective by knowing what you are moving towards. Create a quadrant made up of the four categories of a SWOT analysis and ask participants to generate ideas based on each of those quadrants.

Once you have those ideas assembled in their quadrants, cluster them together based on their affinity with other ideas. These clusters are then used to facilitate group conversations and move things forward. 

SWOT analysis   #gamestorming   #problem solving   #action   #meeting facilitation   The SWOT Analysis is a long-standing technique of looking at what we have, with respect to the desired end state, as well as what we could improve on. It gives us an opportunity to gauge approaching opportunities and dangers, and assess the seriousness of the conditions that affect our future. When we understand those conditions, we can influence what comes next.

Agreement-Certainty Matrix

Not every problem-solving approach is right for every challenge, and deciding on the right method for the challenge at hand is a key part of being an effective team.

The Agreement Certainty matrix helps teams align on the nature of the challenges facing them. By sorting problems from simple to chaotic, your team can understand what methods are suitable for each problem and what they can do to ensure effective results. 

If you are already using Liberating Structures techniques as part of your problem-solving strategy, the Agreement-Certainty Matrix can be an invaluable addition to your process. We’ve found it particularly if you are having issues with recurring problems in your organization and want to go deeper in understanding the root cause. 

Agreement-Certainty Matrix   #issue analysis   #liberating structures   #problem solving   You can help individuals or groups avoid the frequent mistake of trying to solve a problem with methods that are not adapted to the nature of their challenge. The combination of two questions makes it possible to easily sort challenges into four categories: simple, complicated, complex , and chaotic .  A problem is simple when it can be solved reliably with practices that are easy to duplicate.  It is complicated when experts are required to devise a sophisticated solution that will yield the desired results predictably.  A problem is complex when there are several valid ways to proceed but outcomes are not predictable in detail.  Chaotic is when the context is too turbulent to identify a path forward.  A loose analogy may be used to describe these differences: simple is like following a recipe, complicated like sending a rocket to the moon, complex like raising a child, and chaotic is like the game “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.”  The Liberating Structures Matching Matrix in Chapter 5 can be used as the first step to clarify the nature of a challenge and avoid the mismatches between problems and solutions that are frequently at the root of chronic, recurring problems.

Organizing and charting a team’s progress can be important in ensuring its success. SQUID (Sequential Question and Insight Diagram) is a great model that allows a team to effectively switch between giving questions and answers and develop the skills they need to stay on track throughout the process. 

Begin with two different colored sticky notes – one for questions and one for answers – and with your central topic (the head of the squid) on the board. Ask the group to first come up with a series of questions connected to their best guess of how to approach the topic. Ask the group to come up with answers to those questions, fix them to the board and connect them with a line. After some discussion, go back to question mode by responding to the generated answers or other points on the board.

It’s rewarding to see a diagram grow throughout the exercise, and a completed SQUID can provide a visual resource for future effort and as an example for other teams.

SQUID   #gamestorming   #project planning   #issue analysis   #problem solving   When exploring an information space, it’s important for a group to know where they are at any given time. By using SQUID, a group charts out the territory as they go and can navigate accordingly. SQUID stands for Sequential Question and Insight Diagram.

To continue with our nautical theme, Speed Boat is a short and sweet activity that can help a team quickly identify what employees, clients or service users might have a problem with and analyze what might be standing in the way of achieving a solution.

Methods that allow for a group to make observations, have insights and obtain those eureka moments quickly are invaluable when trying to solve complex problems.

In Speed Boat, the approach is to first consider what anchors and challenges might be holding an organization (or boat) back. Bonus points if you are able to identify any sharks in the water and develop ideas that can also deal with competitors!   

Speed Boat   #gamestorming   #problem solving   #action   Speedboat is a short and sweet way to identify what your employees or clients don’t like about your product/service or what’s standing in the way of a desired goal.

The Journalistic Six

Some of the most effective ways of solving problems is by encouraging teams to be more inclusive and diverse in their thinking.

Based on the six key questions journalism students are taught to answer in articles and news stories, The Journalistic Six helps create teams to see the whole picture. By using who, what, when, where, why, and how to facilitate the conversation and encourage creative thinking, your team can make sure that the problem identification and problem analysis stages of the are covered exhaustively and thoughtfully. Reporter’s notebook and dictaphone optional.

The Journalistic Six – Who What When Where Why How   #idea generation   #issue analysis   #problem solving   #online   #creative thinking   #remote-friendly   A questioning method for generating, explaining, investigating ideas.

Individual and group perspectives are incredibly important, but what happens if people are set in their minds and need a change of perspective in order to approach a problem more effectively?

Flip It is a method we love because it is both simple to understand and run, and allows groups to understand how their perspectives and biases are formed. 

Participants in Flip It are first invited to consider concerns, issues, or problems from a perspective of fear and write them on a flip chart. Then, the group is asked to consider those same issues from a perspective of hope and flip their understanding.  

No problem and solution is free from existing bias and by changing perspectives with Flip It, you can then develop a problem solving model quickly and effectively.

Flip It!   #gamestorming   #problem solving   #action   Often, a change in a problem or situation comes simply from a change in our perspectives. Flip It! is a quick game designed to show players that perspectives are made, not born.

LEGO Challenge

Now for an activity that is a little out of the (toy) box. LEGO Serious Play is a facilitation methodology that can be used to improve creative thinking and problem-solving skills. 

The LEGO Challenge includes giving each member of the team an assignment that is hidden from the rest of the group while they create a structure without speaking.

What the LEGO challenge brings to the table is a fun working example of working with stakeholders who might not be on the same page to solve problems. Also, it’s LEGO! Who doesn’t love LEGO! 

LEGO Challenge   #hyperisland   #team   A team-building activity in which groups must work together to build a structure out of LEGO, but each individual has a secret “assignment” which makes the collaborative process more challenging. It emphasizes group communication, leadership dynamics, conflict, cooperation, patience and problem solving strategy.

What, So What, Now What?

If not carefully managed, the problem identification and problem analysis stages of the problem-solving process can actually create more problems and misunderstandings.

The What, So What, Now What? problem-solving activity is designed to help collect insights and move forward while also eliminating the possibility of disagreement when it comes to identifying, clarifying, and analyzing organizational or work problems. 

Facilitation is all about bringing groups together so that might work on a shared goal and the best problem-solving strategies ensure that teams are aligned in purpose, if not initially in opinion or insight.

Throughout the three steps of this game, you give everyone on a team to reflect on a problem by asking what happened, why it is important, and what actions should then be taken. 

This can be a great activity for bringing our individual perceptions about a problem or challenge and contextualizing it in a larger group setting. This is one of the most important problem-solving skills you can bring to your organization.

W³ – What, So What, Now What?   #issue analysis   #innovation   #liberating structures   You can help groups reflect on a shared experience in a way that builds understanding and spurs coordinated action while avoiding unproductive conflict. It is possible for every voice to be heard while simultaneously sifting for insights and shaping new direction. Progressing in stages makes this practical—from collecting facts about What Happened to making sense of these facts with So What and finally to what actions logically follow with Now What . The shared progression eliminates most of the misunderstandings that otherwise fuel disagreements about what to do. Voila!

Journalists  

Problem analysis can be one of the most important and decisive stages of all problem-solving tools. Sometimes, a team can become bogged down in the details and are unable to move forward.

Journalists is an activity that can avoid a group from getting stuck in the problem identification or problem analysis stages of the process.

In Journalists, the group is invited to draft the front page of a fictional newspaper and figure out what stories deserve to be on the cover and what headlines those stories will have. By reframing how your problems and challenges are approached, you can help a team move productively through the process and be better prepared for the steps to follow.

Journalists   #vision   #big picture   #issue analysis   #remote-friendly   This is an exercise to use when the group gets stuck in details and struggles to see the big picture. Also good for defining a vision.

Problem-solving techniques for brainstorming solutions

Now you have the context and background of the problem you are trying to solving, now comes the time to start ideating and thinking about how you’ll solve the issue.

Here, you’ll want to encourage creative, free thinking and speed. Get as many ideas out as possible and explore different perspectives so you have the raw material for the next step.

Looking at a problem from a new angle can be one of the most effective ways of creating an effective solution. TRIZ is a problem-solving tool that asks the group to consider what they must not do in order to solve a challenge.

By reversing the discussion, new topics and taboo subjects often emerge, allowing the group to think more deeply and create ideas that confront the status quo in a safe and meaningful way. If you’re working on a problem that you’ve tried to solve before, TRIZ is a great problem-solving method to help your team get unblocked.

Making Space with TRIZ   #issue analysis   #liberating structures   #issue resolution   You can clear space for innovation by helping a group let go of what it knows (but rarely admits) limits its success and by inviting creative destruction. TRIZ makes it possible to challenge sacred cows safely and encourages heretical thinking. The question “What must we stop doing to make progress on our deepest purpose?” induces seriously fun yet very courageous conversations. Since laughter often erupts, issues that are otherwise taboo get a chance to be aired and confronted. With creative destruction come opportunities for renewal as local action and innovation rush in to fill the vacuum. Whoosh!

Mindspin  

Brainstorming is part of the bread and butter of the problem-solving process and all problem-solving strategies benefit from getting ideas out and challenging a team to generate solutions quickly. 

With Mindspin, participants are encouraged not only to generate ideas but to do so under time constraints and by slamming down cards and passing them on. By doing multiple rounds, your team can begin with a free generation of possible solutions before moving on to developing those solutions and encouraging further ideation. 

This is one of our favorite problem-solving activities and can be great for keeping the energy up throughout the workshop. Remember the importance of helping people become engaged in the process – energizing problem-solving techniques like Mindspin can help ensure your team stays engaged and happy, even when the problems they’re coming together to solve are complex. 

MindSpin   #teampedia   #idea generation   #problem solving   #action   A fast and loud method to enhance brainstorming within a team. Since this activity has more than round ideas that are repetitive can be ruled out leaving more creative and innovative answers to the challenge.

The Creativity Dice

One of the most useful problem solving skills you can teach your team is of approaching challenges with creativity, flexibility, and openness. Games like The Creativity Dice allow teams to overcome the potential hurdle of too much linear thinking and approach the process with a sense of fun and speed. 

In The Creativity Dice, participants are organized around a topic and roll a dice to determine what they will work on for a period of 3 minutes at a time. They might roll a 3 and work on investigating factual information on the chosen topic. They might roll a 1 and work on identifying the specific goals, standards, or criteria for the session.

Encouraging rapid work and iteration while asking participants to be flexible are great skills to cultivate. Having a stage for idea incubation in this game is also important. Moments of pause can help ensure the ideas that are put forward are the most suitable. 

The Creativity Dice   #creativity   #problem solving   #thiagi   #issue analysis   Too much linear thinking is hazardous to creative problem solving. To be creative, you should approach the problem (or the opportunity) from different points of view. You should leave a thought hanging in mid-air and move to another. This skipping around prevents premature closure and lets your brain incubate one line of thought while you consciously pursue another.

Idea and Concept Development

Brainstorming without structure can quickly become chaotic or frustrating. In a problem-solving context, having an ideation framework to follow can help ensure your team is both creative and disciplined.

In this method, you’ll find an idea generation process that encourages your group to brainstorm effectively before developing their ideas and begin clustering them together. By using concepts such as Yes and…, more is more and postponing judgement, you can create the ideal conditions for brainstorming with ease.

Idea & Concept Development   #hyperisland   #innovation   #idea generation   Ideation and Concept Development is a process for groups to work creatively and collaboratively to generate creative ideas. It’s a general approach that can be adapted and customized to suit many different scenarios. It includes basic principles for idea generation and several steps for groups to work with. It also includes steps for idea selection and development.

Problem-solving techniques for developing and refining solutions 

The success of any problem-solving process can be measured by the solutions it produces. After you’ve defined the issue, explored existing ideas, and ideated, it’s time to develop and refine your ideas in order to bring them closer to a solution that actually solves the problem.

Use these problem-solving techniques when you want to help your team think through their ideas and refine them as part of your problem solving process.

Improved Solutions

After a team has successfully identified a problem and come up with a few solutions, it can be tempting to call the work of the problem-solving process complete. That said, the first solution is not necessarily the best, and by including a further review and reflection activity into your problem-solving model, you can ensure your group reaches the best possible result. 

One of a number of problem-solving games from Thiagi Group, Improved Solutions helps you go the extra mile and develop suggested solutions with close consideration and peer review. By supporting the discussion of several problems at once and by shifting team roles throughout, this problem-solving technique is a dynamic way of finding the best solution. 

Improved Solutions   #creativity   #thiagi   #problem solving   #action   #team   You can improve any solution by objectively reviewing its strengths and weaknesses and making suitable adjustments. In this creativity framegame, you improve the solutions to several problems. To maintain objective detachment, you deal with a different problem during each of six rounds and assume different roles (problem owner, consultant, basher, booster, enhancer, and evaluator) during each round. At the conclusion of the activity, each player ends up with two solutions to her problem.

Four Step Sketch

Creative thinking and visual ideation does not need to be confined to the opening stages of your problem-solving strategies. Exercises that include sketching and prototyping on paper can be effective at the solution finding and development stage of the process, and can be great for keeping a team engaged. 

By going from simple notes to a crazy 8s round that involves rapidly sketching 8 variations on their ideas before then producing a final solution sketch, the group is able to iterate quickly and visually. Problem-solving techniques like Four-Step Sketch are great if you have a group of different thinkers and want to change things up from a more textual or discussion-based approach.

Four-Step Sketch   #design sprint   #innovation   #idea generation   #remote-friendly   The four-step sketch is an exercise that helps people to create well-formed concepts through a structured process that includes: Review key information Start design work on paper,  Consider multiple variations , Create a detailed solution . This exercise is preceded by a set of other activities allowing the group to clarify the challenge they want to solve. See how the Four Step Sketch exercise fits into a Design Sprint

Ensuring that everyone in a group is able to contribute to a discussion is vital during any problem solving process. Not only does this ensure all bases are covered, but its then easier to get buy-in and accountability when people have been able to contribute to the process.

1-2-4-All is a tried and tested facilitation technique where participants are asked to first brainstorm on a topic on their own. Next, they discuss and share ideas in a pair before moving into a small group. Those groups are then asked to present the best idea from their discussion to the rest of the team.

This method can be used in many different contexts effectively, though I find it particularly shines in the idea development stage of the process. Giving each participant time to concretize their ideas and develop them in progressively larger groups can create a great space for both innovation and psychological safety.

1-2-4-All   #idea generation   #liberating structures   #issue analysis   With this facilitation technique you can immediately include everyone regardless of how large the group is. You can generate better ideas and more of them faster than ever before. You can tap the know-how and imagination that is distributed widely in places not known in advance. Open, generative conversation unfolds. Ideas and solutions are sifted in rapid fashion. Most importantly, participants own the ideas, so follow-up and implementation is simplified. No buy-in strategies needed! Simple and elegant!

15% Solutions

Some problems are simpler than others and with the right problem-solving activities, you can empower people to take immediate actions that can help create organizational change. 

Part of the liberating structures toolkit, 15% solutions is a problem-solving technique that focuses on finding and implementing solutions quickly. A process of iterating and making small changes quickly can help generate momentum and an appetite for solving complex problems.

Problem-solving strategies can live and die on whether people are onboard. Getting some quick wins is a great way of getting people behind the process.   

It can be extremely empowering for a team to realize that problem-solving techniques can be deployed quickly and easily and delineate between things they can positively impact and those things they cannot change. 

15% Solutions   #action   #liberating structures   #remote-friendly   You can reveal the actions, however small, that everyone can do immediately. At a minimum, these will create momentum, and that may make a BIG difference.  15% Solutions show that there is no reason to wait around, feel powerless, or fearful. They help people pick it up a level. They get individuals and the group to focus on what is within their discretion instead of what they cannot change.  With a very simple question, you can flip the conversation to what can be done and find solutions to big problems that are often distributed widely in places not known in advance. Shifting a few grains of sand may trigger a landslide and change the whole landscape.

Problem-solving techniques for making decisions and planning

After your group is happy with the possible solutions you’ve developed, now comes the time to choose which to implement. There’s more than one way to make a decision and the best option is often dependant on the needs and set-up of your group.

Sometimes, it’s the case that you’ll want to vote as a group on what is likely to be the most impactful solution. Other times, it might be down to a decision maker or major stakeholder to make the final decision. Whatever your process, here’s some techniques you can use to help you make a decision during your problem solving process.

How-Now-Wow Matrix

The problem-solving process is often creative, as complex problems usually require a change of thinking and creative response in order to find the best solutions. While it’s common for the first stages to encourage creative thinking, groups can often gravitate to familiar solutions when it comes to the end of the process. 

When selecting solutions, you don’t want to lose your creative energy! The How-Now-Wow Matrix from Gamestorming is a great problem-solving activity that enables a group to stay creative and think out of the box when it comes to selecting the right solution for a given problem.

Problem-solving techniques that encourage creative thinking and the ideation and selection of new solutions can be the most effective in organisational change. Give the How-Now-Wow Matrix a go, and not just for how pleasant it is to say out loud. 

How-Now-Wow Matrix   #gamestorming   #idea generation   #remote-friendly   When people want to develop new ideas, they most often think out of the box in the brainstorming or divergent phase. However, when it comes to convergence, people often end up picking ideas that are most familiar to them. This is called a ‘creative paradox’ or a ‘creadox’. The How-Now-Wow matrix is an idea selection tool that breaks the creadox by forcing people to weigh each idea on 2 parameters.

Impact and Effort Matrix

All problem-solving techniques hope to not only find solutions to a given problem or challenge but to find the best solution. When it comes to finding a solution, groups are invited to put on their decision-making hats and really think about how a proposed idea would work in practice. 

The Impact and Effort Matrix is one of the problem-solving techniques that fall into this camp, empowering participants to first generate ideas and then categorize them into a 2×2 matrix based on impact and effort.

Activities that invite critical thinking while remaining simple are invaluable. Use the Impact and Effort Matrix to move from ideation and towards evaluating potential solutions before then committing to them. 

Impact and Effort Matrix   #gamestorming   #decision making   #action   #remote-friendly   In this decision-making exercise, possible actions are mapped based on two factors: effort required to implement and potential impact. Categorizing ideas along these lines is a useful technique in decision making, as it obliges contributors to balance and evaluate suggested actions before committing to them.

If you’ve followed each of the problem-solving steps with your group successfully, you should move towards the end of your process with heaps of possible solutions developed with a specific problem in mind. But how do you help a group go from ideation to putting a solution into action? 

Dotmocracy – or Dot Voting -is a tried and tested method of helping a team in the problem-solving process make decisions and put actions in place with a degree of oversight and consensus. 

One of the problem-solving techniques that should be in every facilitator’s toolbox, Dot Voting is fast and effective and can help identify the most popular and best solutions and help bring a group to a decision effectively. 

Dotmocracy   #action   #decision making   #group prioritization   #hyperisland   #remote-friendly   Dotmocracy is a simple method for group prioritization or decision-making. It is not an activity on its own, but a method to use in processes where prioritization or decision-making is the aim. The method supports a group to quickly see which options are most popular or relevant. The options or ideas are written on post-its and stuck up on a wall for the whole group to see. Each person votes for the options they think are the strongest, and that information is used to inform a decision.

Straddling the gap between decision making and planning, MoSCoW is a simple and effective method that allows a group team to easily prioritize a set of possible options.

Use this method in a problem solving process by collecting and summarizing all your possible solutions and then categorize them into 4 sections: “Must have”, “Should have”, “Could have”, or “Would like but won‘t get”.

This method is particularly useful when its less about choosing one possible solution and more about prioritorizing which to do first and which may not fit in the scope of your project. In my experience, complex challenges often require multiple small fixes, and this method can be a great way to move from a pile of things you’d all like to do to a structured plan.

MoSCoW   #define intentions   #create   #design   #action   #remote-friendly   MoSCoW is a method that allows the team to prioritize the different features that they will work on. Features are then categorized into “Must have”, “Should have”, “Could have”, or “Would like but won‘t get”. To be used at the beginning of a timeslot (for example during Sprint planning) and when planning is needed.

When it comes to managing the rollout of a solution, clarity and accountability are key factors in ensuring the success of the project. The RAACI chart is a simple but effective model for setting roles and responsibilities as part of a planning session.

Start by listing each person involved in the project and put them into the following groups in order to make it clear who is responsible for what during the rollout of your solution.

• Responsibility  (Which person and/or team will be taking action?)
• Authority  (At what “point” must the responsible person check in before going further?)
• Accountability  (Who must the responsible person check in with?)
• Consultation  (Who must be consulted by the responsible person before decisions are made?)
• Information  (Who must be informed of decisions, once made?)

Ensure this information is easily accessible and use it to inform who does what and who is looped into discussions and kept up to date.

RAACI   #roles and responsibility   #teamwork   #project management   Clarifying roles and responsibilities, levels of autonomy/latitude in decision making, and levels of engagement among diverse stakeholders.

Problem-solving warm-up activities

All facilitators know that warm-ups and icebreakers are useful for any workshop or group process. Problem-solving workshops are no different.

Use these problem-solving techniques to warm up a group and prepare them for the rest of the process. Activating your group by tapping into some of the top problem-solving skills can be one of the best ways to see great outcomes from your session.

Check-in / Check-out

Solid processes are planned from beginning to end, and the best facilitators know that setting the tone and establishing a safe, open environment can be integral to a successful problem-solving process. Check-in / Check-out is a great way to begin and/or bookend a problem-solving workshop. Checking in to a session emphasizes that everyone will be seen, heard, and expected to contribute. 

If you are running a series of meetings, setting a consistent pattern of checking in and checking out can really help your team get into a groove. We recommend this opening-closing activity for small to medium-sized groups though it can work with large groups if they’re disciplined!

Check-in / Check-out   #team   #opening   #closing   #hyperisland   #remote-friendly   Either checking-in or checking-out is a simple way for a team to open or close a process, symbolically and in a collaborative way. Checking-in/out invites each member in a group to be present, seen and heard, and to express a reflection or a feeling. Checking-in emphasizes presence, focus and group commitment; checking-out emphasizes reflection and symbolic closure.

Doodling Together  

Thinking creatively and not being afraid to make suggestions are important problem-solving skills for any group or team, and warming up by encouraging these behaviors is a great way to start. 

Doodling Together is one of our favorite creative ice breaker games – it’s quick, effective, and fun and can make all following problem-solving steps easier by encouraging a group to collaborate visually. By passing cards and adding additional items as they go, the workshop group gets into a groove of co-creation and idea development that is crucial to finding solutions to problems. 

Doodling Together   #collaboration   #creativity   #teamwork   #fun   #team   #visual methods   #energiser   #icebreaker   #remote-friendly   Create wild, weird and often funny postcards together & establish a group’s creative confidence.

Show and Tell

You might remember some version of Show and Tell from being a kid in school and it’s a great problem-solving activity to kick off a session.

Asking participants to prepare a little something before a workshop by bringing an object for show and tell can help them warm up before the session has even begun! Games that include a physical object can also help encourage early engagement before moving onto more big-picture thinking.

By asking your participants to tell stories about why they chose to bring a particular item to the group, you can help teams see things from new perspectives and see both differences and similarities in the way they approach a topic. Great groundwork for approaching a problem-solving process as a team! 

Show and Tell   #gamestorming   #action   #opening   #meeting facilitation   Show and Tell taps into the power of metaphors to reveal players’ underlying assumptions and associations around a topic The aim of the game is to get a deeper understanding of stakeholders’ perspectives on anything—a new project, an organizational restructuring, a shift in the company’s vision or team dynamic.

Constellations

Who doesn’t love stars? Constellations is a great warm-up activity for any workshop as it gets people up off their feet, energized, and ready to engage in new ways with established topics. It’s also great for showing existing beliefs, biases, and patterns that can come into play as part of your session.

Using warm-up games that help build trust and connection while also allowing for non-verbal responses can be great for easing people into the problem-solving process and encouraging engagement from everyone in the group. Constellations is great in large spaces that allow for movement and is definitely a practical exercise to allow the group to see patterns that are otherwise invisible. 

Constellations   #trust   #connection   #opening   #coaching   #patterns   #system   Individuals express their response to a statement or idea by standing closer or further from a central object. Used with teams to reveal system, hidden patterns, perspectives.

Draw a Tree

Problem-solving games that help raise group awareness through a central, unifying metaphor can be effective ways to warm-up a group in any problem-solving model.

Draw a Tree is a simple warm-up activity you can use in any group and which can provide a quick jolt of energy. Start by asking your participants to draw a tree in just 45 seconds – they can choose whether it will be abstract or realistic. 

Once the timer is up, ask the group how many people included the roots of the tree and use this as a means to discuss how we can ignore important parts of any system simply because they are not visible.

All problem-solving strategies are made more effective by thinking of problems critically and by exposing things that may not normally come to light. Warm-up games like Draw a Tree are great in that they quickly demonstrate some key problem-solving skills in an accessible and effective way.

Draw a Tree   #thiagi   #opening   #perspectives   #remote-friendly   With this game you can raise awarness about being more mindful, and aware of the environment we live in.

Closing activities for a problem-solving process

Each step of the problem-solving workshop benefits from an intelligent deployment of activities, games, and techniques. Bringing your session to an effective close helps ensure that solutions are followed through on and that you also celebrate what has been achieved.

Here are some problem-solving activities you can use to effectively close a workshop or meeting and ensure the great work you’ve done can continue afterward.

One Breath Feedback

Maintaining attention and focus during the closing stages of a problem-solving workshop can be tricky and so being concise when giving feedback can be important. It’s easy to incur “death by feedback” should some team members go on for too long sharing their perspectives in a quick feedback round. 

One Breath Feedback is a great closing activity for workshops. You give everyone an opportunity to provide feedback on what they’ve done but only in the space of a single breath. This keeps feedback short and to the point and means that everyone is encouraged to provide the most important piece of feedback to them. 

One breath feedback   #closing   #feedback   #action   This is a feedback round in just one breath that excels in maintaining attention: each participants is able to speak during just one breath … for most people that’s around 20 to 25 seconds … unless of course you’ve been a deep sea diver in which case you’ll be able to do it for longer.

Who What When Matrix 

Matrices feature as part of many effective problem-solving strategies and with good reason. They are easily recognizable, simple to use, and generate results.

The Who What When Matrix is a great tool to use when closing your problem-solving session by attributing a who, what and when to the actions and solutions you have decided upon. The resulting matrix is a simple, easy-to-follow way of ensuring your team can move forward. 

Great solutions can’t be enacted without action and ownership. Your problem-solving process should include a stage for allocating tasks to individuals or teams and creating a realistic timeframe for those solutions to be implemented or checked out. Use this method to keep the solution implementation process clear and simple for all involved. 

Who/What/When Matrix   #gamestorming   #action   #project planning   With Who/What/When matrix, you can connect people with clear actions they have defined and have committed to.

Response cards

Group discussion can comprise the bulk of most problem-solving activities and by the end of the process, you might find that your team is talked out! 

Providing a means for your team to give feedback with short written notes can ensure everyone is head and can contribute without the need to stand up and talk. Depending on the needs of the group, giving an alternative can help ensure everyone can contribute to your problem-solving model in the way that makes the most sense for them.

Response Cards is a great way to close a workshop if you are looking for a gentle warm-down and want to get some swift discussion around some of the feedback that is raised. 

Response Cards   #debriefing   #closing   #structured sharing   #questions and answers   #thiagi   #action   It can be hard to involve everyone during a closing of a session. Some might stay in the background or get unheard because of louder participants. However, with the use of Response Cards, everyone will be involved in providing feedback or clarify questions at the end of a session.

Tips for effective problem solving

Problem-solving activities are only one part of the puzzle. While a great method can help unlock your team’s ability to solve problems, without a thoughtful approach and strong facilitation the solutions may not be fit for purpose.

Let’s take a look at some problem-solving tips you can apply to any process to help it be a success!

Clearly define the problem

Jumping straight to solutions can be tempting, though without first clearly articulating a problem, the solution might not be the right one. Many of the problem-solving activities below include sections where the problem is explored and clearly defined before moving on.

This is a vital part of the problem-solving process and taking the time to fully define an issue can save time and effort later. A clear definition helps identify irrelevant information and it also ensures that your team sets off on the right track.

Don’t jump to conclusions

It’s easy for groups to exhibit cognitive bias or have preconceived ideas about both problems and potential solutions. Be sure to back up any problem statements or potential solutions with facts, research, and adequate forethought.

The best techniques ask participants to be methodical and challenge preconceived notions. Make sure you give the group enough time and space to collect relevant information and consider the problem in a new way. By approaching the process with a clear, rational mindset, you’ll often find that better solutions are more forthcoming.  

Try different approaches  

Problems come in all shapes and sizes and so too should the methods you use to solve them. If you find that one approach isn’t yielding results and your team isn’t finding different solutions, try mixing it up. You’ll be surprised at how using a new creative activity can unblock your team and generate great solutions.

Don’t take it personally 

Depending on the nature of your team or organizational problems, it’s easy for conversations to get heated. While it’s good for participants to be engaged in the discussions, ensure that emotions don’t run too high and that blame isn’t thrown around while finding solutions.

You’re all in it together, and even if your team or area is seeing problems, that isn’t necessarily a disparagement of you personally. Using facilitation skills to manage group dynamics is one effective method of helping conversations be more constructive.

Get the right people in the room

Your problem-solving method is often only as effective as the group using it. Getting the right people on the job and managing the number of people present is important too!

If the group is too small, you may not get enough different perspectives to effectively solve a problem. If the group is too large, you can go round and round during the ideation stages.

Creating the right group makeup is also important in ensuring you have the necessary expertise and skillset to both identify and follow up on potential solutions. Carefully consider who to include at each stage to help ensure your problem-solving method is followed and positioned for success.

Create psychologically safe spaces for discussion

Identifying a problem accurately also requires that all members of a group are able to contribute their views in an open and safe manner.

It can be tough for people to stand up and contribute if the problems or challenges are emotive or personal in nature. Try and create a psychologically safe space for these kinds of discussions and where possible, create regular opportunities for challenges to be brought up organically.

Document everything

The best solutions can take refinement, iteration, and reflection to come out. Get into a habit of documenting your process in order to keep all the learnings from the session and to allow ideas to mature and develop. Many of the methods below involve the creation of documents or shared resources. Be sure to keep and share these so everyone can benefit from the work done!

Bring a facilitator 

Facilitation is all about making group processes easier. With a subject as potentially emotive and important as problem-solving, having an impartial third party in the form of a facilitator can make all the difference in finding great solutions and keeping the process moving. Consider bringing a facilitator to your problem-solving session to get better results and generate meaningful solutions!

Develop your problem-solving skills

It takes time and practice to be an effective problem solver. While some roles or participants might more naturally gravitate towards problem-solving, it can take development and planning to help everyone create better solutions.

You might develop a training program, run a problem-solving workshop or simply ask your team to practice using the techniques below. Check out our post on problem-solving skills to see how you and your group can develop the right mental process and be more resilient to issues too!

Design a great agenda

Workshops are a great format for solving problems. With the right approach, you can focus a group and help them find the solutions to their own problems. But designing a process can be time-consuming and finding the right activities can be difficult.

Check out our workshop planning guide to level-up your agenda design and start running more effective workshops. Need inspiration? Check out templates designed by expert facilitators to help you kickstart your process!

Save time and effort creating an effective problem solving process

A structured problem solving process is a surefire way of solving tough problems, discovering creative solutions and driving organizational change. But how can you design for successful outcomes?

With SessionLab, it’s easy to design engaging workshops that deliver results. Drag, drop and reorder blocks  to build your agenda. When you make changes or update your agenda, your session  timing   adjusts automatically , saving you time on manual adjustments.

Collaborating with stakeholders or clients? Share your agenda with a single click and collaborate in real-time. No more sending documents back and forth over email.

Explore  how to use SessionLab  to design effective problem solving workshops or  watch this five minute video  to see the planner in action!

Over to you

The problem-solving process can often be as complicated and multifaceted as the problems they are set-up to solve. With the right problem-solving techniques and a mix of exercises designed to guide discussion and generate purposeful ideas, we hope we’ve given you the tools to find the best solutions as simply and easily as possible.

Is there a problem-solving technique that you are missing here? Do you have a favorite activity or method you use when facilitating? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you! 

thank you very much for these excellent techniques

Certainly wonderful article, very detailed. Shared!

Your list of techniques for problem solving can be helpfully extended by adding TRIZ to the list of techniques. TRIZ has 40 problem solving techniques derived from methods inventros and patent holders used to get new patents. About 10-12 are general approaches. many organization sponsor classes in TRIZ that are used to solve business problems or general organiztational problems. You can take a look at TRIZ and dwonload a free internet booklet to see if you feel it shound be included per your selection process.

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The Art of Effective Problem Solving: A Step-by-Step Guide

Author: Daniel Croft

Daniel Croft is an experienced continuous improvement manager with a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. With more than ten years of experience applying his skills across various industries, Daniel specializes in optimizing processes and improving efficiency. His approach combines practical experience with a deep understanding of business fundamentals to drive meaningful change.

Whether we realise it or not, problem solving skills are an important part of our daily lives. From resolving a minor annoyance at home to tackling complex business challenges at work, our ability to solve problems has a significant impact on our success and happiness. However, not everyone is naturally gifted at problem-solving, and even those who are can always improve their skills. In this blog post, we will go over the art of effective problem-solving step by step.

You will learn how to define a problem, gather information, assess alternatives, and implement a solution, all while honing your critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Whether you’re a seasoned problem solver or just getting started, this guide will arm you with the knowledge and tools you need to face any challenge with confidence. So let’s get started!

Problem Solving Methodologies

Individuals and organisations can use a variety of problem-solving methodologies to address complex challenges. 8D and A3 problem solving techniques are two popular methodologies in the Lean Six Sigma framework.

Methodology of 8D (Eight Discipline) Problem Solving:

The 8D problem solving methodology is a systematic, team-based approach to problem solving. It is a method that guides a team through eight distinct steps to solve a problem in a systematic and comprehensive manner.

The 8D process consists of the following steps:

• Form a team: Assemble a group of people who have the necessary expertise to work on the problem.
• Define the issue: Clearly identify and define the problem, including the root cause and the customer impact.
• Create a temporary containment plan: Put in place a plan to lessen the impact of the problem until a permanent solution can be found.
• Identify the root cause: To identify the underlying causes of the problem, use root cause analysis techniques such as Fishbone diagrams and Pareto charts.
• Create and test long-term corrective actions: Create and test a long-term solution to eliminate the root cause of the problem.
• Implement and validate the permanent solution: Implement and validate the permanent solution’s effectiveness.
• Prevent recurrence: Put in place measures to keep the problem from recurring.
• Recognize and reward the team: Recognize and reward the team for its efforts.

Download the 8D Problem Solving Template

A3 Problem Solving Method:

The A3 problem solving technique is a visual, team-based problem-solving approach that is frequently used in Lean Six Sigma projects. The A3 report is a one-page document that clearly and concisely outlines the problem, root cause analysis, and proposed solution.

The A3 problem-solving procedure consists of the following steps:

• Determine the issue: Define the issue clearly, including its impact on the customer.
• Perform root cause analysis: Identify the underlying causes of the problem using root cause analysis techniques.
• Create and implement a solution: Create and implement a solution that addresses the problem’s root cause.
• Monitor and improve the solution: Keep an eye on the solution’s effectiveness and make any necessary changes.

Subsequently, in the Lean Six Sigma framework, the 8D and A3 problem solving methodologies are two popular approaches to problem solving. Both methodologies provide a structured, team-based problem-solving approach that guides individuals through a comprehensive and systematic process of identifying, analysing, and resolving problems in an effective and efficient manner.

Step 1 – Define the Problem

The definition of the problem is the first step in effective problem solving. This may appear to be a simple task, but it is actually quite difficult. This is because problems are frequently complex and multi-layered, making it easy to confuse symptoms with the underlying cause. To avoid this pitfall, it is critical to thoroughly understand the problem.

To begin, ask yourself some clarifying questions:

• What exactly is the issue?
• What are the problem’s symptoms or consequences?
• Who or what is impacted by the issue?
• When and where does the issue arise?

Answering these questions will assist you in determining the scope of the problem. However, simply describing the problem is not always sufficient; you must also identify the root cause. The root cause is the underlying cause of the problem and is usually the key to resolving it permanently.

Try asking “why” questions to find the root cause:

• What causes the problem?
• Why does it continue?
• Why does it have the effects that it does?

By repeatedly asking “ why ,” you’ll eventually get to the bottom of the problem. This is an important step in the problem-solving process because it ensures that you’re dealing with the root cause rather than just the symptoms.

Once you have a firm grasp on the issue, it is time to divide it into smaller, more manageable chunks. This makes tackling the problem easier and reduces the risk of becoming overwhelmed. For example, if you’re attempting to solve a complex business problem, you might divide it into smaller components like market research, product development, and sales strategies.

To summarise step 1, defining the problem is an important first step in effective problem-solving. You will be able to identify the root cause and break it down into manageable parts if you take the time to thoroughly understand the problem. This will prepare you for the next step in the problem-solving process, which is gathering information and brainstorming ideas.

Step 2 – Gather Information and Brainstorm Ideas

Gathering information and brainstorming ideas is the next step in effective problem solving. This entails researching the problem and relevant information, collaborating with others, and coming up with a variety of potential solutions. This increases your chances of finding the best solution to the problem.

Begin by researching the problem and relevant information. This could include reading articles, conducting surveys, or consulting with experts. The goal is to collect as much information as possible in order to better understand the problem and possible solutions.

Next, work with others to gather a variety of perspectives. Brainstorming with others can be an excellent way to come up with new and creative ideas. Encourage everyone to share their thoughts and ideas when working in a group, and make an effort to actively listen to what others have to say. Be open to new and unconventional ideas and resist the urge to dismiss them too quickly.

Finally, use brainstorming to generate a wide range of potential solutions. This is the place where you can let your imagination run wild. At this stage, don’t worry about the feasibility or practicality of the solutions; instead, focus on generating as many ideas as possible. Write down everything that comes to mind, no matter how ridiculous or unusual it may appear. This can be done individually or in groups.

Once you’ve compiled a list of potential solutions, it’s time to assess them and select the best one. This is the next step in the problem-solving process, which we’ll go over in greater detail in the following section.

Step 3 – Evaluate Options and Choose the Best Solution

Once you’ve compiled a list of potential solutions, it’s time to assess them and select the best one. This is the third step in effective problem solving, and it entails weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each solution, considering their feasibility and practicability, and selecting the solution that is most likely to solve the problem effectively.

To begin, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each solution. This will assist you in determining the potential outcomes of each solution and deciding which is the best option. For example, a quick and easy solution may not be the most effective in the long run, whereas a more complex and time-consuming solution may be more effective in solving the problem in the long run.

Consider each solution’s feasibility and practicability. Consider the following:

• Can the solution be implemented within the available resources, time, and budget?
• What are the possible barriers to implementing the solution?
• Is the solution feasible in today’s political, economic, and social environment?

You’ll be able to tell which solutions are likely to succeed and which aren’t by assessing their feasibility and practicability.

Finally, choose the solution that is most likely to effectively solve the problem. This solution should be based on the criteria you’ve established, such as the advantages and disadvantages of each solution, their feasibility and practicability, and your overall goals.

It is critical to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to problems. What is effective for one person or situation may not be effective for another. This is why it is critical to consider a wide range of solutions and evaluate each one based on its ability to effectively solve the problem.

Step 4 – Implement and Monitor the Solution

When you’ve decided on the best solution, it’s time to put it into action. The fourth and final step in effective problem solving is to put the solution into action, monitor its progress, and make any necessary adjustments.

To begin, implement the solution. This may entail delegating tasks, developing a strategy, and allocating resources. Ascertain that everyone involved understands their role and responsibilities in the solution’s implementation.

Next, keep an eye on the solution’s progress. This may entail scheduling regular check-ins, tracking metrics, and soliciting feedback from others. You will be able to identify any potential roadblocks and make any necessary adjustments in a timely manner if you monitor the progress of the solution.

Finally, make any necessary modifications to the solution. This could entail changing the solution, altering the plan of action, or delegating different tasks. Be willing to make changes if they will improve the solution or help it solve the problem more effectively.

It’s important to remember that problem solving is an iterative process, and there may be times when you need to start from scratch. This is especially true if the initial solution does not effectively solve the problem. In these situations, it’s critical to be adaptable and flexible and to keep trying new solutions until you find the one that works best.

To summarise, effective problem solving is a critical skill that can assist individuals and organisations in overcoming challenges and achieving their objectives. Effective problem solving consists of four key steps: defining the problem, generating potential solutions, evaluating alternatives and selecting the best solution, and implementing the solution.

You can increase your chances of success in problem solving by following these steps and considering factors such as the pros and cons of each solution, their feasibility and practicability, and making any necessary adjustments. Furthermore, keep in mind that problem solving is an iterative process, and there may be times when you need to go back to the beginning and restart. Maintain your adaptability and try new solutions until you find the one that works best for you.

• Novick, L.R. and Bassok, M., 2005.  Problem Solving . Cambridge University Press.

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Daniel Croft

Daniel Croft is a seasoned continuous improvement manager with a Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma. With over 10 years of real-world application experience across diverse sectors, Daniel has a passion for optimizing processes and fostering a culture of efficiency. He's not just a practitioner but also an avid learner, constantly seeking to expand his knowledge. Outside of his professional life, Daniel has a keen Investing, statistics and knowledge-sharing, which led him to create the website www.learnleansigma.com, a platform dedicated to Lean Six Sigma and process improvement insights.

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A guide to problem-solving techniques, steps, and skills

You might associate problem-solving with the math exercises that a seven-year-old would do at school. But problem-solving isn’t just about math — it’s a crucial skill that helps everyone make better decisions in everyday life or work.

Problem-solving involves finding effective solutions to address complex challenges, in any context they may arise.

Unfortunately, structured and systematic problem-solving methods aren’t commonly taught. Instead, when solving a problem, PMs tend to rely heavily on intuition. While for simple issues this might work well, solving a complex problem with a straightforward solution is often ineffective and can even create more problems.

In this article, you’ll learn a framework for approaching problem-solving, alongside how you can improve your problem-solving skills.

The 7 steps to problem-solving

When it comes to problem-solving there are seven key steps that you should follow: define the problem, disaggregate, prioritize problem branches, create an analysis plan, conduct analysis, synthesis, and communication.

1. Define the problem

Problem-solving begins with a clear understanding of the issue at hand. Without a well-defined problem statement, confusion and misunderstandings can hinder progress. It’s crucial to ensure that the problem statement is outcome-focused, specific, measurable whenever possible, and time-bound.

Additionally, aligning the problem definition with relevant stakeholders and decision-makers is essential to ensure efforts are directed towards addressing the actual problem rather than side issues.

2. Disaggregate

Complex issues often require deeper analysis. Instead of tackling the entire problem at once, the next step is to break it down into smaller, more manageable components.

Various types of logic trees (also known as issue trees or decision trees) can be used to break down the problem. At each stage where new branches are created, it’s important for them to be “MECE” – mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive. This process of breaking down continues until manageable components are identified, allowing for individual examination.

The decomposition of the problem demands looking at the problem from various perspectives. That is why collaboration within a team often yields more valuable results, as diverse viewpoints lead to a richer pool of ideas and solutions.

3. Prioritize problem branches

The next step involves prioritization. Not all branches of the problem tree have the same impact, so it’s important to understand the significance of each and focus attention on the most impactful areas. Prioritizing helps streamline efforts and minimize the time required to solve the problem.

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4. Create an analysis plan

For prioritized components, you may need to conduct in-depth analysis. Before proceeding, a work plan is created for data gathering and analysis. If work is conducted within a team, having a plan provides guidance on what needs to be achieved, who is responsible for which tasks, and the timelines involved.

5. Conduct analysis

Data gathering and analysis are central to the problem-solving process. It’s a good practice to set time limits for this phase to prevent excessive time spent on perfecting details. You can employ heuristics and rule-of-thumb reasoning to improve efficiency and direct efforts towards the most impactful work.

6. Synthesis

After each individual branch component has been researched, the problem isn’t solved yet. The next step is synthesizing the data logically to address the initial question. The synthesis process and the logical relationship between the individual branch results depend on the logic tree used.

7. Communication

The last step is communicating the story and the solution of the problem to the stakeholders and decision-makers. Clear effective communication is necessary to build trust in the solution and facilitates understanding among all parties involved. It ensures that stakeholders grasp the intricacies of the problem and the proposed solution, leading to informed decision-making.

Exploring problem-solving in various contexts

While problem-solving has traditionally been associated with fields like engineering and science, today it has become a fundamental skill for individuals across all professions. In fact, problem-solving consistently ranks as one of the top skills required by employers.

Problem-solving techniques can be applied in diverse contexts:

• Individuals — What career path should I choose? Where should I live? These are examples of simple and common personal challenges that require effective problem-solving skills
• Organizations — Businesses also face many decisions that are not trivial to answer. Should we expand into new markets this year? How can we enhance the quality of our product development? Will our office accommodate the upcoming year’s growth in terms of capacity?
• Societal issues — The biggest world challenges are also complex problems that can be addressed with the same technique. How can we minimize the impact of climate change? How do we fight cancer?

Despite the variation in domains and contexts, the fundamental approach to solving these questions remains the same. It starts with gaining a clear understanding of the problem, followed by decomposition, conducting analysis of the decomposed branches, and synthesizing it into a result that answers the initial problem.

Real-world examples of problem-solving

Let’s now explore some examples where we can apply the problem solving framework.

Problem: In the production of electronic devices, you observe an increasing number of defects. How can you reduce the error rate and improve the quality?

Before delving into analysis, you can deprioritize branches that you already have information for or ones you deem less important. For instance, while transportation delays may occur, the resulting material degradation is likely negligible. For other branches, additional research and data gathering may be necessary.

Once results are obtained, synthesis is crucial to address the core question: How can you decrease the defect rate?

While all factors listed may play a role, their significance varies. Your task is to prioritize effectively. Through data analysis, you may discover that altering the equipment would bring the most substantial positive outcome. However, executing a solution isn’t always straightforward. In prioritizing, you should consider both the potential impact and the level of effort needed for implementation.

By evaluating impact and effort, you can systematically prioritize areas for improvement, focusing on those with high impact and requiring minimal effort to address. This approach ensures efficient allocation of resources towards improvements that offer the greatest return on investment.

Problem : What should be my next job role?

When breaking down this problem, you need to consider various factors that are important for your future happiness in the role. This includes aspects like the company culture, our interest in the work itself, and the lifestyle that you can afford with the role.

However, not all factors carry the same weight for us. To make sense of the results, we can assign a weight factor to each branch. For instance, passion for the job role may have a weight factor of 1, while interest in the industry may have a weight factor of 0.5, because that is less important for you.

By applying these weights to a specific role and summing the values, you can have an estimate of how suitable that role is for you. Moreover, you can compare two roles and make an informed decision based on these weighted indicators.

Key problem-solving skills

This framework provides the foundation and guidance needed to effectively solve problems. However, successfully applying this framework requires the following:

• Creativity — During the decomposition phase, it’s essential to approach the problem from various perspectives and think outside the box to generate innovative ideas for breaking down the problem tree
• Decision-making — Throughout the process, decisions must be made, even when full confidence is lacking. Employing rules of thumb to simplify analysis or selecting one tree cut over another requires decisiveness and comfort with choices made
• Analytical skills — Analytical and research skills are necessary for the phase following decomposition, involving data gathering and analysis on selected tree branches
• Teamwork — Collaboration and teamwork are crucial when working within a team setting. Solving problems effectively often requires collective effort and shared responsibility
• Communication — Clear and structured communication is essential to convey the problem solution to stakeholders and decision-makers and build trust

How to enhance your problem-solving skills

Problem-solving requires practice and a certain mindset. The more you practice, the easier it becomes. Here are some strategies to enhance your skills:

• Practice structured thinking in your daily life — Break down problems or questions into manageable parts. You don’t need to go through the entire problem-solving process and conduct detailed analysis. When conveying a message, simplify the conversation by breaking the message into smaller, more understandable segments
• Regularly challenging yourself with games and puzzles — Solving puzzles, riddles, or strategy games can boost your problem-solving skills and cognitive agility.
• Engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints — Conversing with people who offer different perspectives provides fresh insights and alternative solutions to problems. This boosts creativity and helps in approaching challenges from new angles

Final thoughts

Problem-solving extends far beyond mathematics or scientific fields; it’s a critical skill for making informed decisions in every area of life and work. The seven-step framework presented here provides a systematic approach to problem-solving, relevant across various domains.

Now, consider this: What’s one question currently on your mind? Grab a piece of paper and try to apply the problem-solving framework. You might uncover fresh insights you hadn’t considered before.

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10 Everyday uses for Problem Solving Skills

• Problem Solving & Decision Making Real world training delivers real world results. Learn More

Many employers are recognizing the value and placing significant investments in developing the problem solving skills of their employees.  While we often think about these skills in the work context, problem solving isn’t just helpful in the workplace.  Here are 10 everyday uses for problem solving skills that can you may not have thought about

1. Stuck in traffic and late for work, again

With busy schedules and competing demands for your time, getting where you need to be on time can be a real challenge.  When traffic backs up, problem solving skills can help you figure out alternatives to avoid congestion, resolve the immediate situation and develop a solution to avoid encountering the situation in the future.

2. What is that stain on the living room carpet?

Parents, pet owners and spouses face this situation all the time.  The living room carpet was clean yesterday but somehow a mysterious stain has appeared and nobody is claiming it.  In order to clean it effectively, first you need to figure out what it is.  Problem solving can help you track down the culprit, diagnose the cause of the stain and develop an action plan to get your home clean and fresh again.

3. What is that smell coming from my garden shed?

Drawing from past experiences, the seasoned problem solver in you suspects that the source of the peculiar odor likely lurks somewhere within the depths of the shed. Your challenge now lies in uncovering the origin of this scent, managing its effects, and formulating a practical plan to prevent such occurrences in the future.

4. I don’t think the car is supposed to make that thumping noise

As with many problems in the workplace, this may be a situation to bring in problem solving experts in the form of your trusted mechanic.  If that isn’t an option, problem solving skills can be helpful to diagnose and assess the impact of the situation to ensure you can get where you need to be.

5. Creating a budget

Tap into your problem-solving prowess as you embark on the journey of budgeting. Begin by determining what expenses to include in your budget, and strategize how to account for unexpected financial surprises. The challenge lies in crafting a comprehensive budget that not only covers your known expenses but also prepares you for the uncertainties that may arise.

6. My daughter has a science project – due tomorrow

Sometimes the challenge isn’t impact, its urgency.  Problem solving skills can help you quickly assess the situation and develop an action plan to get that science project done and turned in on time.

7. What should I get my spouse for his/her birthday?

As with many problems, this one may not have a “right answer” or apparent solution.  Its time to apply those problem solving skills to evaluate the effects of past decisions combined with current environmental signals and available resources to select the perfect gift to put a smile on your significant other’s face.

8. The office printer suddenly stopped working, and there are important documents that need to be printed urgently.

Uh oh, time to think quickly.  There is an urgent situation that must be addressed to get things back to normal, a cause to be identified (what’s causing the printer issue), and an action plan to resolve it.  Problem solving skills can help you avoid stress and ensure that your documents are printed on time.

9. I’m torn between two cars! Which one should I choose?

In a world brimming with countless choices, employ decision analysis as your trusty tool to navigate the sea of options. Whether you’re selecting a car (or any other product), the challenge is to methodically identify and evaluate the best choices that align with your unique needs and preferences.

10. What’s for dinner?

Whether you are planning to eat alone, with family or entertaining friends and colleagues, meal planning can be a cause of daily stress.  Applying problem solving skills can put the dinner dilemma into perspective and help get the food on the table and keep everyone happy.

Problem Solving skills aren’t just for the workplace – they can be applied in your everyday life.  Kepner-Tregoe can help you and your team develop your problem solving skills through a combination of training and consulting with our problem solving experts.

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Making decisions and solving problems are two key areas in life, whether you are at home or at work. Whatever you’re doing, and wherever you are, you are faced with countless decisions and problems, both small and large, every day.

Many decisions and problems are so small that we may not even notice them. Even small decisions, however, can be overwhelming to some people. They may come to a halt as they consider their dilemma and try to decide what to do.

Small and Large Decisions

In your day-to-day life you're likely to encounter numerous 'small decisions', including, for example:

Tea or coffee?

What shall I have in my sandwich? Or should I have a salad instead today?

What shall I wear today?

Larger decisions may occur less frequently but may include:

Should we repaint the kitchen? If so, what colour?

Should we relocate?

Should I propose to my partner? Do I really want to spend the rest of my life with him/her?

These decisions, and others like them, may take considerable time and effort to make.

The relationship between decision-making and problem-solving is complex. Decision-making is perhaps best thought of as a key part of problem-solving: one part of the overall process.

Our approach at Skills You Need is to set out a framework to help guide you through the decision-making process. You won’t always need to use the whole framework, or even use it at all, but you may find it useful if you are a bit ‘stuck’ and need something to help you make a difficult decision.

Decision Making

Effective Decision-Making

This page provides information about ways of making a decision, including basing it on logic or emotion (‘gut feeling’). It also explains what can stop you making an effective decision, including too much or too little information, and not really caring about the outcome.

A Decision-Making Framework

This page sets out one possible framework for decision-making.

The framework described is quite extensive, and may seem quite formal. But it is also a helpful process to run through in a briefer form, for smaller problems, as it will help you to make sure that you really do have all the information that you need.

Problem Solving

Introduction to Problem-Solving

This page provides a general introduction to the idea of problem-solving. It explores the idea of goals (things that you want to achieve) and barriers (things that may prevent you from achieving your goals), and explains the problem-solving process at a broad level.

The first stage in solving any problem is to identify it, and then break it down into its component parts. Even the biggest, most intractable-seeming problems, can become much more manageable if they are broken down into smaller parts. This page provides some advice about techniques you can use to do so.

Sometimes, the possible options to address your problem are obvious. At other times, you may need to involve others, or think more laterally to find alternatives. This page explains some principles, and some tools and techniques to help you do so.

Having generated solutions, you need to decide which one to take, which is where decision-making meets problem-solving. But once decided, there is another step: to deliver on your decision, and then see if your chosen solution works. This page helps you through this process.

‘Social’ problems are those that we encounter in everyday life, including money trouble, problems with other people, health problems and crime. These problems, like any others, are best solved using a framework to identify the problem, work out the options for addressing it, and then deciding which option to use.

This page provides more information about the key skills needed for practical problem-solving in real life.

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Everyday problem solving across the adult life span: solution diversity and efficacy

Everyday problem solving involves examining the solutions that individuals generate when faced with problems that take place in their everyday experiences. Problems can range from medication adherence and meal preparation to disagreeing with a physician over a recommended medical procedure or compromising with extended family members over where to host Thanksgiving dinner. Across the life span, research has demonstrated divergent patterns of change in performance based on the type of everyday problems used as well as based on the way that problem-solving efficacy is operationally defined. Advancing age is associated with worsening performance when tasks involve single-solution or fluency-based definitions of effectiveness. However, when efficacy is defined in terms of the diversity of strategies used, as well as by the social and emotional impact of solution choice on the individual, performance is remarkably stable and sometimes even improves in the latter half of life. This article discusses how both of these approaches to everyday problem solving inform research on the influence that aging has on everyday functioning.

Introduction

As mentioned in many chapters in this review volume, a common theme of the cognitive aging literature is a steady decline in functioning. As we get older, we experience changes in processing speed, 1 – 3 memory, 4 reasoning, 5 attention, 6 , 7 and executive functioning. 8 – 10 Underlying such decline is a series of structural changes in the brain 11 , 12 as well as shifts in what motivates us to think and act as we grow older. 13 – 15 Despite these declines, older adults are often autonomous, independent, and well adjusted. They live full lives and occupy as many roles in society as younger individuals, if not more roles, and they are relied upon as authority figures—leaders, advisors, employers, parents, and grandparents. This divergence between declines in lab-assessed cognitive functioning and maintained interpersonal influence is what fuels research on everyday problem solving across the adult half of the life span. 16 , 17 The need to assess everyday functioning independently of traditional measures of primary mental abilities led to the creation of everyday problem solving batteries that displayed higher levels of ecological validity, more closely resembling challenges that are part of our day-to-day existence. Research in this field focuses on defining the conditions under which older adults may have difficulties with these problems (e.g., physical limitations and comprehension of sophisticated instructions) so that interventions can be established to ameliorate such difficulties and promote a higher quality of life. In addition, research in this field also focuses on examining how those processes that we use to solve problems change across the adult life span and lead us to implement different types of strategies based upon the goals that we set at each stage of life. 18 , 19 Here, research is reviewed that discusses the challenges faced by older individuals when managing everyday problems as well as the differences that have been found in how young and older adults approach the process of solving everyday problems.

Everyday problems are the circumstances that we find ourselves in on a daily basis that involve using the skills, accumulated knowledge, and resources (e.g., time, money, and friends) that we have available to us to reach our goals and to side step obstacles to these goals. 17 Everyday problems vary in terms of their problem space, or the possible solutions that an individual can reach given the contextual features and demands of the situation. 16 Everyday problems sometimes have a clear outcome, or goal state, that all individuals will work toward. For instance, if you return to your automobile at the airport to find that you have a flat tire, the steps that are required to effectively resolve the problem so that you can be on your way are quite clear. Success depends upon your ability to implement these steps (e.g., use of physical strength to remove lug nuts). On the other hand, everyday problems sometimes create obstacles that cannot be directly removed and require a careful balance of knowing not just what to do but when to do it. For example, should you find yourself in a disagreement with your partner on what to give your child as a gift on a birthday, you can each give the child your respective preferred gifts. However, how will you resolve the negativity that emerged as a result of conflicting preferences? What if you have a limited number of resources to devote to a gift and a compromise is necessary to resolve the conflict? If you have to involve others in the problem-solving process, it is challenging to ensure that all parties have the same goals in mind. Moreover, you cannot proceed forward to acquire the gift until you have buy-in from others. When problems are ill-defined, the timing of your actions is important because you may have to refrain from acting until a negotiation can take place. In such a situation, it is important to recognize how to regulate your own emotions and how to influence the emotions and thought processes of others. 18

In this review, how everyday problem solving changes across the adult half of the life span will be discussed. Included is (a) a description of the methods used to assess everyday problem-solving performance and the diversity in findings that emerges when age's impact on everyday problem solving is gauged using well-defined versus ill-defined problems as well as different operational definitions of efficacy, (b) a description of the contextual factors that lead to age differences in everyday problem solving, and (c) a brief assessment of the future directions of the field.

Assessing age differences in everyday problem-solving performance

As mentioned earlier, decades of research on cognitive aging demonstrate gradual decline in functioning over time. This decline, however, runs counter to the notion that with age comes wisdom, or at least an accumulation of experiences that can help us determine how to continue to function when faced with problems. Baltes referred to these divergent trends as multidirectionality, and he believed that two distinct systems of cognition existed to capture these trends: pragmatic knowledge and structural mechanics. 20 Accumulated experience or pragmatic knowledge (sometimes called tacit knowledge or crystallized intelligence) continues to grow throughout the life span given the novel circumstances and ever-expanding culture to which we are exposed year by year. Conversely, the hard-wired, biologically determined mechanisms that support cognition (sometimes called fluid intelligence) slowly degrade as our cells and tissues wear out over time. Key to successful aging is how the change that takes place in these two systems balance against one another. 21 – 23 Ultimately, each person has a limited pool of resources to devote to all aspects of their life at any given moment. 20 Consequently, throughout the life span, we set goals for ourselves that shape our behavior by prioritizing some pursuits over others. This selection process limits the number of goals that we consider at any given stage of our life so as to make it possible to optimize the investment of our resources to maintain the greatest level of successful functioning as is possible. 20 With respect to everyday problem solving, this poses some interesting questions: (a) To what extent does decline in cognitive functioning (especially rooted in one's neural mechanics) affect the resources that are available to individuals in the latter half of life when faced with complex everyday problems that are vital to autonomous functioning, and (b) How does one's changing goals and accumulated experience across the life span influence the process by which we solve problems? These two questions have dominated research on everyday problem solving and aging over the past 25 years.

Consistent with the need to map cognitive decline onto everyday problem solving, many everyday problem-solving tasks consist of a pool of well-defined problems from multiple domains (e.g., nutrition, health, and finance) that reflect the activities that an autonomous individual will engage in when caring for themselves. 24 A well-defined problem is a problem that has a constrained problem space (i.e., number of possible responses limited by the features of the question asked) with a single correct solution. For instance, the Everyday Cognition Battery (ECB) includes items that ask participants to compare the nutritional value of two brands of chili. 25 Participants are asked to use nutrition labels to determine which brand has less fat and to compare the statistics provided on each label for each of the other listed categories of dietary information. They might also be asked specific questions about what the categories listed on the labels refer to as a way to assess the participants' general knowledge about food labels. Additional items in the battery focus on medication use and understanding financial information. Overall, the problems included in the ECB capture functioning that contributes to many of the domains found in the assessment of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. 26 Studies using this battery or similar tasks with similar well-defined problems demonstrate decline in everyday functioning with advancing age. 27 Also, performance on the different components of the battery (e.g., everyday inductive reasoning or everyday knowledge) are significantly correlated with performance on corresponding psychometric tests of intelligence, 28 like lab-based assessments of inductive reasoning and verbal knowledge commonly used to track intelligence. 29 However, performance on the practical problems included in the ECB better predicts actual everyday functioning than does performance on the standard psychometric tests of intelligence. Overall, well-defined problems are used to trace how age-related cognitive decline affects the specific abilities that are vital to maintaining an individual's autonomy over and above those abilities measured by tests of primary mental abilities. 24 , 28 , 30 Often, researchers who use tasks that include well-defined everyday problems are trying to replicate specific activities from everyday life within the lab to systematically examine where functional deficits may occur. These tasks provide useful information as to which skills might be most affected in an individual, 31 opening up the possibility for future skills training geared toward forestalling further losses. 32 , 33

In addition to assessing individuals' ability to generate the single correct solution found in each well-defined everyday problem, other researchers assess everyday problem-solving performance by posing ill-defined hypothetical problems and counting the number of safe and effective solutions that can be generated by each participant. In an ill-defined problem, participants are asked to identify all of the ways that they might overcome an obstacle to a goal to reach an acceptable outcome. 34 , 35 The participants' solutions are then examined by coders to ensure that they are in fact safe and effective ways to resolve the problem before being tallied as an indicator of everyday problem-solving ability. A sample problem from such a test might ask the participants to consider ways in which a man with heart problems might still be able to complete summer maintenance and landscaping duties around his house even though his doctor has told him to refrain from strenuous physical activity and even though he does not have enough money to hire someone to do the work for him. 36 Researchers use everyday problem-solving assessments that consist of ill-defined problems in order to allow participant-specific experiences to inform the solutions that are generated. For instance, suppose that one is asked to balance a checkbook in a well-defined everyday problem-solving task, this activity requires that the individual demonstrate addition and subtraction skills. If an ill-defined problem involved balancing one's checkbook or managing finances, then recommending the addition of deposits and subtraction of expenditures would be an effective solution. However, recommending that one seek assistance from someone who has experience balancing a checkbook would also be an effective solution. Ultimately, tasks using ill-defined problems have the potential to capture other solutions that a person may find that go beyond the most common strategy for resolving the issue at hand.

From young adulthood until middle age, the fluency of solution generation increases, possibly reflecting the appropriate balance between gains stemming from pragmatic life experience and only minimal structural or neurological decline. However, performance declines slightly in one's 50s and throughout the remainder of one's years. 35 Similarly, when social problem solving was examined via ill-defined problems, again an inverted U-shaped function characterized performance, with solution fluency peaking in one's 40s and 50s, and declining thereafter. 37 This finding is important because perceived quality of life is closely linked to one's ability to function independently 38 – 40 and solve everyday problems that might emerge on occasion 41 , 42 that are both linked to mortality. 43 – 45 Despite there being numerous studies that link advancing age to declines in everyday problem-solving ability, 46 , 47 other studies have identified areas in which we improve in everyday problem solving with age. Studies that do not demonstrate the similar levels of age-related decline in problem-solving performance often rely on an operational definition of problem solving efficacy that differs from a focus on solution fluency (i.e., the number of safe and effective solutions generated). Table 1 includes some of the ways that researchers have defined everyday problem-solving effectiveness.

Operationalizing effective everyday problem solving

Everyday problem-solving performance dependent on manner of assessment

What defines success when solving everyday problems? In the aforementioned studies, when faced with a well-defined problem, success was based on whether the participant provided the single best solution. When faced with an ill-defined problem, success was based on the overall number of safe and effective solutions that the individual offered as potential ways of managing the problem. In general, with these definitions of success, advancing age is associated with a decline in everyday problem solving performance. 46 Although these definitions of effectiveness provide a useful metric for problem solving success, they are not without their limitations. The one-solution definition of success assumes that there may only be one way to solve a well-defined problem and that such problems are generally solved in isolation instead of with the assistance of others or with supplemental information. Additionally, the solution-fluency definition of success assumes that the solutions that are generated reflect the maximum number of solutions accessible to the participants when in actuality they may reflect those solutions that the participants believed to be most relevant to or efficacious for a given problem.

When you examine the actual strategies that young and older individuals use (or recommend) to solve problems, older adults may fare better than expected because the previously mentioned techniques for assessing everyday problem-solving performance underestimate the value of the behaviors evinced by older adults when they are coping with an everyday problem. 17 , 18 Specifically, the conventional ways of operationalizing everyday problem solving success fail to account for the quality of individual solutions that are generated. They also do not account for the evolving nature of the everyday problem solving process, including the temporal and environmental limitations on direct action that might be imposed on the problem solver by the problem space. Finally, they ignore the impact that nominated solutions have on the participants' well-being and on their ability to meet the goals that they have set for resolving the problem. Given these limitations, additional definitions of everyday problem-solving success have emerged in order to broaden the scope with which age differences in the everyday problem-solving process are examined.

For instance, Cornelius and Caspi defined everyday problem solving success in terms of the degree to which participants' recommended solutions matched those of an expert panel consisting of developmental psychologists as well as young, middle-aged, and older adult lay people. They asked participants ranging in age from 20 to 78 years to consider 48 hypothetical, ill-defined problems from six domains of everyday functioning (i.e., family, friend, work, home, consumer, and information gathering) included in their Everyday Problem Solving Inventory (EPSI). 48 Participants indicated the extent to which they might use each of four specific strategies, tailored to each problem, in an attempt to reach a resolution: purposeful action (self-initiated action to directly resolve the problem), cognitive analysis (planning action and thinking about the situation to better understand it), passive-dependent behavior (doing nothing to change the situation or relying on others to step in), and avoidant thinking and denial (distracting one's attention away from the problem, avoiding responsibility for the problem, or denying one's emotions). Other studies conducted at this point in time were also relying on similar coping-based techniques for operationalizing the diversity of problem-solving strategies that may be employed to manage stressors like those in the EPSI. 49 , 50 After the participants responded, their recommended strategies were compared to those selected by an expert panel as ideal, and an effectiveness correlation was calculated and examined by age group. Overall, older individuals chose strategies that more closely matched those recommended by the expert panel than did younger age groups. This finding runs counter to previous findings that have been discussed demonstrating that problem-solving ability peaks in mid-life and then declines.

This age-related enhancement in everyday problem solving was later replicated using the same set of problems from the EPSI, parsimoniously redistributing them into achievement-oriented and interpersonal domains. 51 Again, older adults were more effective than young adults in their overall choice of strategies for solving everyday problems. Moreover, older adults were more effective than young adults in choosing strategies to resolve hypothetical social conflicts (e.g., how to react when your peers gossip about one of your closest friends). The major reason for this outcome is that older adults were more likely to implement combinations of strategies that included both problem-focused solutions (e.g., purposeful action) and emotion-focused solutions (avoidance and passive dependence). As had been noted by Blanchard-Fields and her colleagues in prior research, older adults approach everyday problems involving interpersonal conflict in ways that are fundamentally different from young adults and in ways that possibly reflect age-appropriate differences in social motivation and experience that guide older adults to be more mindful of the emotions evoked by problems. 19 , 52

Although older adults are less accurate than young adults when solving well-defined instrumental everyday problems and less fluent when generating solutions for ill-defined everyday problems in tasks that do not recognize the value of emotion recognition in the problem-solving process, 46 older adults display a consistent advantage over young adults when problem solving success is defined in terms of one's ability to implement a diverse repertoire of strategies that meet the practical and emotional challenges created by problems. 18 This divergence in outcomes emerges because of the differences that exist in the two dominant approaches to research on everyday problem solving and aging. The method of investigation used, including the operational definition of problem-solving success, influences the conclusions that are drawn about how everyday problem solving performance changes across the adult half of the life span. This can make it quite challenging to compare outcomes across tasks. 53 Ultimately, though, each technique seeks to characterize the diversity of solutions offered by the population to manage everyday problems. Errors that individuals make while completing well-defined problems can help inform the research and development conducted by those who design consumer products, financial forms, and even home environments by specifying which parameters need to be changed to promote a more user friendly experience for people of all ages. Additionally, the breadth of emotion-focused coping strategies offered by individuals facing challenging interpersonal conflicts can be used to develop age-specific norms that can inform mental health professionals of those strategies that would be most relevant to patients at different points in their life. In their own ways, each technique strives to add more information to the existing literature on ways that people of all ages can elevate their sense of well-being while continuing to maintain their autonomy and social functioning.

Contextual factors that contribute to age differences in everyday problem solving

Over the past two decades, researchers have recognized that everyday problem solving can be influenced by many person-specific (e.g., sensory abilities and level of cognitive functioning) and age-typical (e.g., communion-oriented goals or time constraints imposed by thoughts about the end of life) contextual factors. Consequently, the literature is replete with examples of studies that attempt to measure the correlational impact of contextual factors on everyday functioning or that directly manipulate context to track how such interventions affect solution quality and strategy preference. These studies are valuable to the field because they inform practitioners (e.g., medical doctors, nurses, rehabilitation therapists, mental health professionals, and financial advisors) about the roles that cognitive ability and personal motivation play in driving adult decision making. Earlier, it was already noted that cognitive functioning predicts everyday problem-solving performance. 25 , 28 , 33 In fact, recent research suggests that individual differences in cognitive functioning mediate the relationship between poor health status and poor everyday problem-solving performance. 47 Some possible factors that underlie this mediation effect include wide variation (or inconsistency) in response time and age-associated decline in sensory abilities. 54 – 56 These findings tie back to Baltes' hypothesis that we become most susceptible to functional deficits in old age when our neurological architecture degrades to the point where we have difficulty implementing the knowledge that we have gained from our past experiences as we cope with current obstacles to our goals. 20 Consistent with the idea that our own personal goals and our appraisals of problems matter and shape our choices, other researchers have proceeded forward knowing that, although cognitive ability can factor into everyday problem-solving performance, personal relevance and social context also influence how we solve everyday problems. Figure 1 illustrates the mediating role that social context can have on everyday problem-solving performance.

Contextual factors that influence solution implementation in everyday problem-solving tasks.

When faced with a challenge that is not personally meaningful to us, it is reasonable to expect that our feelings of self-efficacy toward our solutions might be less than they would have otherwise been if we were faced with a problem that was more relevant to our own personal history. This prediction is supported by the work of Artistico et al ., who identified that age differences in everyday problem-solving performance map on to the divergent feelings of self-efficacy held by young and older adults when solving problems that either were age relevant or were not relevant to their own age group. 57 , 58 Problems that are more relevant to our current stage of life might be easier to resolve because (a) the problem's context may be more familiar to use, (b) solutions to past similar problems are still accessible, and (c) our peers may also be familiar with these problems and could offer instrumental and emotional support. Intuitively, how much personal experience we have with a given problem should predict how successful we are at solving it. However, Berg et al . have found that experience with the problem itself matters less in producing age differences in everyday problem solving than does the heuristic-oriented (or experiential-based) reasoning implemented by older adults and not younger adults when completing problem solving tasks. 59 Specifically, Berg et al . demonstrated that older adults may be less motivated than young adults to produce as exhaustive of a list of potential solutions to problems or to consider as much information when generating solutions. This behavioral tendency of older adults has appeared in decision making research over the past 20 years and is discussed throughout this review volume. Ultimately, future research will continue to examine whether this practice is being driven by cognitive decline or by a fundamental shift in the reward structure that motivates decisions in the latter half of life. 60 – 62

The impact that personal relevance has on everyday problem solving may stem from how it facilitates several other appraisal processes that force us to examine the contextual features of problems in more details. Specifically, we have to assess what may be the source of a problem (e.g., domain and cause), our goals for coping with the problem, and the types of solutions that may lead to the best outcomes for the problem. Blanchard-Fields and colleagues have identified that younger and older adults choose similar forms of purposeful action- and planning-oriented strategies (also known as problem-focused strategies) when faced with instrumental problems, or problems that merely present some obstacle to the individual who is trying to achieve some personal goal that does not involve other people or relationships, neither directly nor indirectly. 18 , 63 This finding is not surprising given that it is most adaptive to combat the source of the problem directly in these types of situations (e.g., a flat tire on a car or a broken iPod). 64 Interestingly, younger adults are more likely than older adults to use emotion-focused strategies when faced with instrumental problems. 63 This may occur because young people do not have the same personal freedom (e.g., time constraints) and monetary resources at their disposal as older individuals do to invest in clearing obstacles to achievement-oriented problems. If you cannot do something to resolve the problem yourself, you may have to depend on others for assistance. Consequently, passive dependence or attempts to avoid or deny the existence of the obstacle can be an effective way to reduce the disappointment or frustration that one experiences when a goal is thwarted. 18 Developmentally, we would expect young and older adults to offer different solutions to instrumental problems.

Likewise, when faced with interpersonal problems, we might predict that how one responds may depend upon where they currently fall along the developmental spectrum. Early in life, individuals are focused on gathering information, seeking novel experiences, and meeting new people. In the latter half of life, however, the focus shifts toward investing resources in our current relationships to maintain strong socioemotional bonds. 15 , 64 This means that young adults have more social capital to spare and can afford to engage in more argumentative or confrontational strategies for resolving interpersonal problems than can older adults. 65 Whereas young adults focus on balancing short-term negativity with long-term happiness, older adults are focused on being happy today. Simply put, older adults are more likely than young adults to focus on strategies that squelch those negative emotions that are toxic or threaten relationships because they do not have as much time left in life to enjoy these relationships. 15 , 18 For example, in a seminal paper in everyday problem solving and aging, Blanchard-Fields and colleagues found that older adults were more likely thanyoung adults to engage inavoidant-denial strategies when faced with interpersonal problems that were emotionally evocative. 66 Older adults appear to be more keenly aware of when it is important to step away from a conflict to cool off and when it is valuable to delay reacting so as to avoid from fanning the flames. 52 , 67 Consistent with this interpretation, older adults have been found to experience less anger during interpersonal conflicts. 68 , 69 More-over, from middle adulthood through old age, there is a greater emphasis placed on secondary control striving, or the need to internally regulate our reactivity to an environment that might fall outside of our control. 70 With respect to interpersonal everyday problems, the latter half of life is when we realize that attempting to change the behaviors of others might be counterproductive because doing so might exacerbate conflict. A substantial component of this is recognizing that interpersonal harmony requires working within the boundaries of relationships and considering the mutual goals that we have with our relationship partners.

Future directions

The research reviewed up to this point has highlighted how the methods used to assess everyday problem solving contribute to age differences in everyday problem solving performance. It has also presented some of the factors that are responsible for eliciting age differences in strategy selection when researchers focus on the dynamics of how young and older adults react to everyday problems. With the emergence of socioemotional selectivity theory in cognitive aging, there has been a renewed focus on the role that age differences in goals play in motivating everyday decisions. 15 Specifically, an increased emphasis has been placed on trying to gain a deeper understanding of the ways that emotion regulatory and relational communion goals drive older adults' behavioral tendencies when faced with stress or everyday problems. Strough, Berg, and Sansone were among the first to provide evidence that young and older adults approached interpersonal interactions with different goal sets in mind. 71 Their research suggested that older adults were more supportive of social others than were young adults when pursuing the resolution to everyday problems. They interpreted this to suggest that older adults were more focused on generativity, whereas young adults were focused on independence. What is most remarkable about this finding is that, in old age, when individuals face the greatest potential for cognitive and physical decline as well as thwarted instrumental goals, they realign their priorities in order to provide support to their friends and family. Future research in this field will examine how older adults capitalize on their interpersonal focus to live happy and healthy lives. 72 It will also characterize the relational contexts under which older adults are most at risk for stress or which predispose older adults to health problems.

Emerging from the discussion on how we should define successful everyday problem solving was the recognition that individuals would experience the greatest sense of well-being when they selected problem solving strategies that matched their personal goals for the situation in which they found themselves. 18 , 71 , 73 In other words, if your chosen course of action allowed you to meet your goal for the problem, then you will be successful at resolving that problem. Although shockingly simple in theory, in practice, this perspective creates some challenging methodological and statistical hurdles for the researcher to negotiate. For instance, if you want to assess the match between goals and strategies in real time, you have to collect information on the participant's current goals, carefully distinguishing between short-term interests and longer-term life philosophies. Next, you have to wait for a problem to arise and then track how the participant resolves it. If the problem involves someone else, then you have to determine if there is a match between the goals of both parties involved and then examine the strategies of each individual to see how they contribute to individual and collective goals. Time-sampling studies, which ask people to report their goals, the obstacles that they experience to their goals, their emotional reactions to such obstacles, as well as the strategies that they are using to manage these obstacles are currently in progress. 74 Using archival data from a study in which participants ranging in age from 15 to 84 years were asked to discuss a problem from their own lives, Hoppmann, Coats, and Blanchard-Fields found that younger individuals were most likely to match autonomy goals (e.g., independence of action) with self-focused strategies, whereas older adults matched generativity goals with other-focused strategies. 75 These findings highlight the importance of considering goals when trying to account for why young and older adults may arrive at different resolutions to their problems.

Although numerous studies have examined the types of problem- and emotion-focused coping strategies that young and older adults endorse when faced with everyday problems, few studies have examined the interpersonal interactions that occur between individuals as they collaboratively solve everyday problems. As mentioned earlier, older adults display passive dependent strategies at times during a conflict when action may worsen the negativity experienced by both interaction partners, whereas young adults are willing to be confrontational. For instance, when working with a friend to generate as many solutions as possible to hypothetical interpersonal problems, older adults were more likely than young adults to recommend help seeking and careful planning, whereas young adults were more likely to recommend verbally aggressive self-assertion. 76 In other words, when collaborating with a friend, older adults are more likely than young adults to agree that interpersonally destructive strategies are not the best way to resolve conflict. This may reflect a shared recognition in the importance of reducing the potential for making the problem worse. Aside from looking at the strategies nominated by collaborators, Berg et al . have also examined the ways that collaborators treat one another while working to solve problems. In a study examining how partners in older couples collaboratively coped with prostate cancer, husbands and wives both benefited emotionally from working with one another if they were satisfied with their marriage. 77 In a second study, middle-aged and older married couples were asked to discuss an ongoing conflict and to also collaborate with one another to complete an instrumental planning task. 78 Older couples experienced less negative affect during the conflict if they were satisfied with their marriage. However, contrary to the prediction that older couples may behave more passively toward one another during conflict, older couples did express negativity toward one another (especially wives) during the discussion of their conflict. Additionally, when working on the instrumental task, members of older adult couples were warm when attempting to exert control over their partner during the task. When taken together, these findings suggest that jointly reported marital satisfaction can be important for fostering collaborative efforts between partners when coping with health problems, resolving an interpersonal spat, and even when dealing with the daily chores and errands of everyday life. 79 Future research should continue to examine the dynamic role of partner involvement in everyday problem solving performance to identify which relationship factors are most valuable for predicting long-term health and well-being.

Conclusions

One of the central themes of research examining everyday problem solving across the life span has been to identify the trajectory of change in performance throughout the years as we gain experience and knowledge while simultaneously displaying cognitive and physical declines. The impact of cognitive decline on everyday problem solving is most evident when examining the outcomes of studies that use tasks consisting of well-defined problems. Studies using tasks consisting of ill-defined problems produce mixed evidence of both decline and maintenance, depending on the manner with which problem-solving success is operationally defined. Based on more recent findings, however, it is clear that those individuals in their latter half of life are motivated by interpersonal factors that are important to young people but just are not prioritized to the same degree. Future research needs to further clarify the role that interpersonal interaction plays in promoting successful everyday problem solving. Outside of the lab environment, older adults continue to make autonomous choices while also working interdependently with members of their social network. Although cognitive and physical decline are inevitable to some degree for all of us, it seems that a shared decision space between close partners may go a long way to promote sustained well-being, physical health, and everyday cognition.

Conflicts of interest The author declares no conflicts of interest.

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Ideas Made to Matter

How to use algorithms to solve everyday problems

Kara Baskin

May 8, 2017

How can I navigate the grocery store quickly? Why doesn’t anyone like my Facebook status? How can I alphabetize my bookshelves in a hurry? Apple data visualizer and MIT System Design and Management graduate Ali Almossawi solves these common dilemmas and more in his new book, “ Bad Choices: How Algorithms Can Help You Think Smarter and Live Happier ,” a quirky, illustrated guide to algorithmic thinking. 

For the uninitiated: What is an algorithm? And how can algorithms help us to think smarter?

An algorithm is a process with unambiguous steps that has a beginning and an end, and does something useful.

Algorithmic thinking is taking a step back and asking, “If it’s the case that algorithms are so useful in computing to achieve predictability, might they also be useful in everyday life, when it comes to, say, deciding between alternative ways of solving a problem or completing a task?” In all cases, we optimize for efficiency: We care about time or space.

Note the mention of “deciding between.” Computer scientists do that all the time, and I was convinced that the tools they use to evaluate competing algorithms would be of interest to a broad audience.

Why did you write this book, and who can benefit from it?

All the books I came across that tried to introduce computer science involved coding. My approach to making algorithms compelling was focusing on comparisons. I take algorithms and put them in a scene from everyday life, such as matching socks from a pile, putting books on a shelf, remembering things, driving from one point to another, or cutting an onion. These activities can be mapped to one or more fundamental algorithms, which form the basis for the field of computing and have far-reaching applications and uses.

I wrote the book with two audiences in mind. One, anyone, be it a learner or an educator, who is interested in computer science and wants an engaging and lighthearted, but not a dumbed-down, introduction to the field. Two, anyone who is already familiar with the field and wants to experience a way of explaining some of the fundamental concepts in computer science differently than how they’re taught.

I’m going to the grocery store and only have 15 minutes. What do I do?

Do you know what the grocery store looks like ahead of time? If you know what it looks like, it determines your list. How do you prioritize things on your list? Order the items in a way that allows you to avoid walking down the same aisles twice.

For me, the intriguing thing is that the grocery store is a scene from everyday life that I can use as a launch pad to talk about various related topics, like priority queues and graphs and hashing. For instance, what is the most efficient way for a machine to store a prioritized list, and what happens when the equivalent of you scratching an item from a list happens in the machine’s list? How is a store analogous to a graph (an abstraction in computer science and mathematics that defines how things are connected), and how is navigating the aisles in a store analogous to traversing a graph?

Nobody follows me on Instagram. How do I get more followers?

The concept of links and networks, which I cover in Chapter 6, is relevant here. It’s much easier to get to people whom you might be interested in and who might be interested in you if you can start within the ball of links that connects those people, rather than starting at a random spot.

You mention Instagram: There, the hashtag is one way to enter that ball of links. Tag your photos, engage with users who tag their photos with the same hashtags, and you should be on your way to stardom.

What are the secret ingredients of a successful Facebook post?

I’ve posted things on social media that have died a sad death and then posted the same thing at a later date that somehow did great. Again, if we think of it in terms that are relevant to algorithms, we’d say that the challenge with making something go viral is really getting that first spark. And to get that first spark, a person who is connected to the largest number of people who are likely to engage with that post, needs to share it.

With [my first book], “Bad Arguments,” I spent a month pouring close to $5,000 into advertising for that project with moderate results. And then one science journalist with a large audience wrote about it, and the project took off and hasn’t stopped since.

What problems do you wish you could solve via algorithm but can’t?

When we care about efficiency, thinking in terms of algorithms is useful. There are cases when that’s not the quality we want to optimize for — for instance, learning or love. I walk for several miles every day, all throughout the city, as I find it relaxing. I’ve never asked myself, “What’s the most efficient way I can traverse the streets of San Francisco?” It’s not relevant to my objective.

Algorithms are a great way of thinking about efficiency, but the question has to be, “What approach can you optimize for that objective?” That’s what worries me about self-help: Books give you a silver bullet for doing everything “right” but leave out all the nuances that make us different. What works for you might not work for me.

Which companies use algorithms well?

When you read that the overwhelming majority of the shows that users of, say, Netflix, watch are due to Netflix’s recommendation engine, you know they’re doing something right.

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6 Questions About Problem Solving on a Daily Basis

You experience it on a daily basis: problems arise, reappear and don’t get solved. They eat away at the time and energy of your teams. You try and solve them as best as you can, often incomprehensively and without any structure.

You can do better. For instance by seeing problem solving as an opportunity to improve and grow your business . Or by organizing and supporting your teams so that they see problem solving as a toolbox, essential to your daily operations. To achieve this, integrating a Daily Management System (DMS) could be of great help.

Why Problem Solving?

It’s a tool we simply cannot do without. It’s a method to improve your business by suppressing elements that hinder the performance of your operations, your company’s reputation, and the morale of your troops.

Your operational problems have a great impact on your performance indicators . They slow you down, force you to repeat work and represent tremendous costs. And when these problems are not tackled head-on to identify their root causes, they simply reappear.

Your business’s reputation is based on the added value you give to your customers. They expect quality products, delivered on time, at the right price. Each of these aspects is subject to disturbances that should be dealt with in a timely and efficient manner to minimize their impact on your customers.

Your teams inherently want to be efficient; they are galvanized when they generate value. Problems are often perceived as a thorn in the flesh of the company, impeding on the performance of team members.

How Do Your Team Members React to Problems?

Solving a problem can take time , a resource that is oh so scarce. And since we cannot find the root cause of the problem, we don’t understand what is really happening. We work unilaterally without bringing in the expert resources, and the employees who actually suffer from the problem. We implement prompt—yet insufficient—actions .

In a nutshell, we do not take the time to solve problems so that they don’t reappear . To remedy this, we have to implement structure and give ourselves the means to do so.

Who Takes Part in Problem Solving?

Problem solving requires a multidisciplinary approach . The process does not depend on a single person. We have to surround that person with resources that will act as experts or shine a new light on the situation without even knowing all the details. This means thinking out of the box .

But even then, we should get feedback from employees affected by the problem . These people are essential in defining the problem and identifying its root causes. They can also provide potential solutions.

Senior staff members should also take an active role in problem solving . They validate the process, confirm or invalidate the investments in corrective controls, and monitor the performance of such controls.

In brief, each member of the organization contributes to problem solving . When your teams are empowered to solve problems, they act promptly and make sure the issues won’t arise again.

What Skills Do Your Teams Employ in Problem Solving?

The more your employees commit to problem solving, the more efficient they get at applying the methodology and using the tools.

Some of them should master basic tools such as the 5 whys, Ishikawa diagram and Pareto chart . These methods alone can help solve most problems.

Other advanced tools such as AMDEC, 8D, A3, DMAAC and VSM can be used. They can be used individually or jointly with the basic ones, depending on the nature of the problem.

In order to be more effective, facilitators can be appointed to guide the team as they solve problems . These resources determine which tools to use, at which moment, and lead the team toward the right solutions.

How Can a DMS Structure Problem Solving?

As mentioned above, the lack of time and structure hinders problem solving. How can you organize your business so that your teams are not left to their own devices?

Problem solving should be part of your daily routine . You have to take time to tackle these issues systematically, as they arise. An appropriate daily management system allows to set time aside for problem solving on a daily or weekly basis. Typically, 30-minute sessions, once or twice a week, enable rapid progress with ongoing cases.

A team of stakeholders agrees to meet during these sessions. The group includes the facilitator (expert on tools), the manager or supervisor, a few employees affected by the problem, and one or two subject matter experts.

Together they define, analyze and choose the solutions that will help in solving the problem. This results in action plans. The next sessions are for following up. It is important not to use these teamwork sessions to address the components of the action plan ; they should rather be addressed on the field, according to a predetermined timeline.

The problems your business is experiencing vary in magnitude and complexity. It would be wrong to believe that problems only affect one department, or one team . There are cases where they can have an impact on whole sites. It is therefore appropriate to categorize problems and to appoint the persons who have the know-how and authority to solve them . You can also escalate issues according to the same parameters.

How Can Problem Solving Be Addressed?

Few companies can boast the fact that they address problem solving like Toyota does, where it is firmly attached to the company culture.

Most crucially, managers should address problems so that each employee takes his/her role in solving them. As stated by Michael Ballé, PhD , author of several books on Lean management , each employee should develop autonomy in a problem-solving context:

• By affording to stop and try to correct each problem that arises;
• By knowing how to solve a problem in various contexts;
• By learning how to identify and report a problematic situation.

Integrating an appropriate DMS to document and prioritize problems will streamline the process and help your teams. Such a solution helps to centralize actions in order to track trends and indicators , and to make issues visible across the company.

An aspect that should not be left aside: the permanence of the corrective measures implemented must be monitored and reinforced. You should track the performance of these measures after a given time. Perform periodic audits. Celebrate success.

Bringing all these pieces together will reinforce your company culture and reorient it toward a continuous improvement culture, where each individual, regardless of his or her hierarchic level, will contribute to problem solving. If you are considering incorporating a daily management system in your organization, contact us for a demonstration!

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Global Cognition

Critical thinking in everyday life.

by Winston Sieck updated September 19, 2021

Have you ever been listening to one of your teacher’s lessons and thought that it had no relevance to your own life?

You’re not alone. Just about every student has felt the same way.

Sure, you use critical thinking skills in the classroom to solve word problems in math, write essays in English, and create hypotheses in science.

But how will you use critical thinking in everyday life?

First, keep in mind that critical thinking is simply a “deliberate thought process.”

Basically, it means that you are using reason and logic to come to a conclusion about an issue or decision you are tangling with.

And clear, sound reasoning is something that will help you every day.

To help you make the leap from classroom to real world, here are 3 concrete examples of critical thinking in everyday life.

Fake News vs. Real News

Take a moment to reflect on your media skills. Do you think you have what it takes to sort out a real news source from a piece of clever advertising?

According to a recent study from Stanford University, a whopping 82% of the teens surveyed could not distinguish between an ad labeled “sponsored content” and a legitimate news story.

Part of the problem may come from schools cutting back on formal instruction of critical thinking skills and an assumption that today’s “digital native” teens can automatically tell the difference without practice or instruction.

You are good at lots of things. But, you know, you’ve practiced those things you’re good at. So, how can you practice telling fact from fiction?

One way (outside of school) is to chat with your family and friends about media sources. Find out how they stay informed, and why they choose those outlets. Ask each other routine questions for evaluating sources .

Do your Friends Know Everything?

It’s tempting to believe that the world begins and ends with your friends. Don’t get me wrong. Friends are definitely important. However, it pays to reflect a little on how a group influences our lives.

To practice critical thinking in everyday life, take a close look at your group of friends. Are there things that are “forbidden” in your social circle? Are you expected to act a certain way, dress a certain way?

Think a certain way?

It’s natural that when a group defines something as “cool”, all the people in the group work to fit into that definition. Regardless of what they individually believe.

The problem is that virtually every situation can be defined in multiple ways. What is “dumb” to one person may be “cool” to another.

Develop your ability to redefine the way you see the world around you. On your own terms.

Find a time when your friend group sees the negative in a situation. Is there a positive way to view it instead? Or at least a way that makes it seem not quite so bad?

You may not be ready to speak up with your independent view. And that’s ok. Just practice thinking differently from the group to strengthen your mind.

Critical Thinking in the Driver’s Seat

One of the core critical thinking skills you need every day is the ability to examine the implications and consequences of a belief or action. In its deepest form, this ability can help you form your own set of beliefs in everything from climate change to religion.

But this skill can also save your life (and your car insurance rate) behind the wheel.

Imagine you are cruising down the freeway when your phone alerts you to an incoming text message. The ability to examine your potential actions and their accompanying consequences will help you make the best choice for how to handle the situation.

Do you look at the text and risk getting into an accident? Do you wait and risk not responding to an urgent matter? Or do you pull over to look at the text and risk being late for your appointment?

The same skill can be applied when you are looking for a place to park, when to pull onto a busy street, or whether to run the yellow light.

Better yet, the more practiced you are at looking at the implications of your driving habits, the faster you can make split second decisions behind the wheel.

Why Critical Thinking in Everyday Life Matters

Literally everyone can benefit from critical thinking because the need for it is all around us.

In a philosophical paper , Peter Facione makes a strong case that critical thinking skills are needed by everyone, in all societies who value safety, justice, and a host of other positive values:

“Considered as a form of thoughtful judgment or reflective decision-making, in a very real sense critical thinking is pervasive. There is hardly a time or a place where it would not seem to be of potential value. As long as people have purposes in mind and wish to judge how to accomplish them, as long as people wonder what is true and what is not, what to believe and what to reject, strong critical thinking is going to be necessary.”

So, in other words, as long as you remain curious, purposeful, and ambitious, no matter what your interests, you’re going to need critical thinking to really own your life.

About Winston Sieck

Dr. Winston Sieck is a cognitive psychologist working to advance the development of thinking skills. He is founder and president of Global Cognition, and director of Thinker Academy .

Reader Interactions

July 27, 2019 at 7:20 am

Wonderful article.. Useful in daily life… I have never imagined the way critical thinking is useful to make judgments

December 9, 2020 at 9:38 pm

My name is Anthony Lambert I am student at miller Motte. Critical Thinking is one my classes. I thank you for giving me the skills of critical thinking.

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47 Things To Solve Everyday (And Even Not-So-Everyday) Problems

We found a trash can for your car, a moisture meter for your plants, a squirting spoon for your baby, and a Samsung Frame for you.

BuzzFeed Staff

1. A genius T-shirt roll holder that'll keep all your shirts neat and easily accessible. If folding is your kryptonite and digging through your shirt drawer is your biggest pet peeve, this nifty hanger is about to save you from yourself.

The Roll Keeper is owned by Kelso, Washington's resident crafter, Traci. Traci has been crafting for over 40 years and created her storage design to help organize vinyl, soon realizing that it was the perfect organization solution for much more. Her shop has versions for bottles, wrapping paper, pens, and more. Don't miss checking out this small business!

Before getting this I was driving myself up the wall with my bad folding habits. I basically shoved all my shirts into the storage drawers under my bed, because I have a teeny tiny closet (the picture above gives you a solid idea of how small it is). This has given me a massive amount of clothing storage I didn't have before. The quality is stellar and Traci is 10/10 the most thoughtful person I've purchased an Etsy product from!

Get it from The Roll Keeper on Etsy for $15.99 .

2. A squirting spoon with a squeezable silicone pouch that's gonna make feeding your baby pureed meals cleaner and easier both at home and on-the-go.

This comes with a hard plastic lid so you can seal it up and save it for snack time.

Promising review: "This product is Amazing!!! I now have kids in sports/activities and I am always on the go. I put my baby's food in one of these and take it to go in my diaper bag. It comes with a spoon cover that is hard plastic that covers the hole where the food comes out. The body of the spoon is a soft silicone that you gently squeeze to get the pureed food out. The spoon itself is a hard plastic but we had no issues. It is easy to clean and comes apart in two pieces. Seriously, this is the best gadget ever! This is coming from a mother of four who has probably owned and purchased every gadget out there to make life easier !!" — castgirl

Get it from Amazon for $8.82+ (available in two colors).

3. A booster seat diaper bag — a classic diaper bag that transforms into a secure seat (including chair straps) so your kiddo can sit up at the table and thus, off of your lap, when you're out and about. Even when used as a seat, the hollow center can be filled with all the things you need throughout your day.

The booster seat pops up and has adjustable straps to secure onto any chair. The bag itself has plenty of space for both you and your kiddo's things. Plus it's machine-washable, padded, water-resistant, and supports up to 60 pounds.

Get it on sale from Ashley Homestore for $49.99 (originally $84.99).

4. An elasticity repair hair treatment for anyone who has fried their hair with chemical treatments and heat tools. This quinoa-rich solution repairs hair right at the cuticle, making hair color look shinier, reducing split ends, and strengthening strands right at their core.

Here's a useful trick I learned back in my hair school days. If you're wondering whether or not your hair is chemically damaged, you can do a simple test at home. Grab a single strand of hair and pull it on either end. If the hair seems to slowly pull apart rather than bounce back...you've got some chemical damage and would benefit from an elasticity treatment. Now you know.

Promising review: "I bought this recently and I love love love it. My hair feels strong and healthy and now has a fantastic shine. This is definitely a must." —Barti7

Get it from Beauty Pie for $40 (or become a member and pay $4.93).

5. A moisture meter you can place deep down into the soil to know exactly how much water your plant is getting. Under- and overwatering is a thing of the past, people!

I love having this tool in my home! I jumped on the 2020 plant trend fast and have filled my home with tons of botanicals (that all have different watering schedules). The meter tells me if a plant is being over-watered or under-watered right down to the root, which is very necessary for a plant parent (who used to be a plant murderer) like myself. My home is going to be even greener in 2021.

Promising review: "This item is great. I can check how wet my plants are down where the roots are. So no more overwatering! It is very accurate. This works great!!" — Terri Carlson

Get it from Amazon for $11.97 (available in two colors).

6. A subscription to NordVPN — a service that uses an encrypted tunnel of online traffic for extra privacy online. With this, you're able to do things like enter your credit card info while on public Wi-Fi and feel safe and secure while you're at it!

The application works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and has apps for iOS, Android, and Android TV. It also has encrypted proxy extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Secure up to six devices!

Get it from NordVPN for $3.71+ /month (available in multiple plans).

7. A maternity bodysuit that'll give you a chance to throw on something a little spicier than the hospital diapers you've been rockin' postpartum. The best part? You'll be able to wear this *while* also feeding a tiny human from your body.

PSA: word on the street is those hospital diaper pad deals are *very* comfy . You just had a baby. Wear extra comfortable clothes as long as you dang well please!

Promising review: " This is super comfortable, practical, and makes you feel sexy ! It's easy to pull up and down to nurse and it comes in beautiful colors." —Kim W.

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8. A car trash can sure to save the day (and your upholstery) from suckers, soda bottles, and all the other sticky substances your kids sneak into the car.

Promising review: "This is the most useful little item I have EVER placed in my car for litter management. It's easy to use, easy to empty, AND it doubles as a spare cup holder when needed. I've ordered more for our other cars. The kids have really improved their management of basic tidiness in the car with this in our family vehicle. My husband has managed to keep the passenger seat easy for me to join him in his car, and now our teens will enjoy an uncluttered life in the 'teen mobile .'" — DW

Get it from Amazon for $7.99 .

9. A water-gel SPF 35 — a daily formula that's hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, vegan, and works great under makeup. Is your skin gonna be the envy of all your sunburnt besties? Why yes, yes it is.

To learn more, be sure to check out " Just 9 Glossier Products We Really Love ."

Promising review: "I've been searching for the longest time for a sunscreen that doesn't feel greasy, make me oily, or cause me to breakout. I was hesitant to purchase this because of the higher price point and small size, but it is totally worth it. This is the only sunscreen I've tried that feels nice on my skin! I use it daily and haven't experienced any breakouts or sunburn." —mckenna

Get it from Glossier for $25 .

10. Or an avocado oil SPF 30 specifically designed to blend in with dark skin, helping you avoid chalky buildup while still protecting your skin from the sun. Plus, this stuff is super moisturizing!

Promising review: "This is the only sunscreen that hasn’t given me a white cast! It absorbs and clears with no ashy look! I’ve already been through two tubes. I love this product!" —Anon

Get it from Target for $15.99 .

11. A pack of dander reducing wipes that'll help your kitto have a clean coat this winter without any bath time drama.

Each pack has 50 wipes. BTW, you can also get grooming wipes from Burt's Bees for your dog .

Promising review: "I was skeptical at first, but am so glad I decided to get these. Burt's Bees make excellent products. My apartment is so dry in the cold seasons, even with running multiple vaporizers. My cat was getting very bad dry skin and dander, as you can see in the first image (pictured above, left). After one use her fur is soft, silky, and the dander is so much better! This product will be a regular purchase and a must for my pets!" — Magpie

Get them from Amazon for $5.83 .

12. A pack of five produce bags made with a washable 100% cotton material, so you can carry produce in the grocery store, wash it in the sink at home, and keep it organized in the fridge — all while keeping it in one bag.

Promising review: "It seems like such a small thing, bringing your own bags to the store, but over time it saves so much plastic. In addition to bringing grocery bags, these little bags allow you to bag your own vegetables and fruits. The bags come in three different sizes (small, medium, and large) and they are color-coded by the size. Red is small, blue is medium and green is large. Due to the soft mesh the bags are made out of, they do not bruise the item and they allow it to breathe. It is easy to close these bags, you just pull tight the drawstring. I had no issues with washing the bags, just throw them into the laundry. I do recommend washing them out in the sink before throwing them into the wash. For drying, just let them hang dry." — CNV

Get them from BuzzFeed's Goodful collection on Amazon for $12.99 .

13. A pocket-sized Tile Mate — using your smartphone, these trackers are gonna "ring" to help figure out where you last left your purse, keys, wallet...basically whatever you hook them to! I can't even remember where I've left my lunch most days. Time to buy this.

BTW, this'll even help find your phone (even when it's on silent).

Promising review: "One of the best decisions I have ever made was purchasing a Tile. It's easy to use and does exactly what it's designed for. I HIGHLY recommend it." —Layne

Get it on sale from Tile for $17.99 (originally $24.99).

14. A bag of strawberry peanuts that'll satisfy all your PB&J cravings, whether you're trying out a low carb life or simply want a protein-filled snack that is *ridiculously* delicious.

I am a *major* PB&J fan and I swear these little peanuts taste exactly like the real thing. IDK how there isn't bread stuffed into each nut. These have been a great solution for me because I often skip breakfast, but am happy to munch on these in the mornings. They're the #1 snack in my home.

Promising review: "These are wonderful! Delicious! They really do taste just like PB&J! Shipping was very fast. I will definitely be purchasing again." —Em

Get a 24 bag mini pack for $24.99 from SkinnyDipped (available in two flavors and pack sizes).

15. A menstrual cup with a flat design that'll last up to 12 hours. You'll even be able to keep it in during intercourse! Science just made this the best time in history to be a person with a menstrual cycle. Period.

Promising review: "I bought this about month ago and at this very moment in time (9/12/20) I'm on day three, which is normally a heavy day, and I've had no leaks at all ." —Nicole

Get it from Intimina for $39.95 .

16. A splurge-worthy Samsung Frame for those of us who don't want quality wall space taken over by a big blank screen. With this, you just happen to get a luxury television while you're at it.

This is honest and truly the best splurge I have ever made. It has massively upgraded the look in my living room. My husband loves the photography options and I love all the classical paintings – as someone who loves changing up my decor, being able to update the display images has been so fun. The quality is fantastic while watching movies and TV...but I'm pretty sure I love it as a piece of art in my home even more.

Promising review: "This is a brilliant TV! It looks great in art mode. If your primary goal is to have the TV look less like a TV, I think you’ll be pleased with this one. There are some reviews that point out some downsides (like a small amount of local storage), but I’ve had no problems. The pictures make the screen look brighter than it is but with the right pictures, it looks matte and brilliant in art mode; like a framed print ." — N B

Get it from Amazon for $676.91+ (available in four colors and six sizes).

17. A car headrest pillow to save your neck from the awkward nap angles you usually end up in during long road trips. Don't let neck pain put a kink in your future travel plans!

Promising review: "I almost dozed off the first time I tested it in the driveway, lol. It was easy to install and adjustable for a 6'3" adult all the way down to a small child very easily. It took me less than 10 minutes to unbox and set it up perfectly with all adjustments." — Edward

Get it from Amazon for $30.90+ (available in four colors).

18. A fabric defuzzer that'll clean up sweaters, sofas, and other aging fabrics that have been a real ~pill~ lately.

Promising review: "I didn't think it through when I threw some dark shirts and sweaters in the wash with a couple of light towels. They came out with all those fuzzies. I ordered one of these based on the price and customer reviews and I can see why this is rated so high. Since it's so portable, I just sat on the couch and shaved two shirts and a pair of cottony exercise pants while watching tv. I probably would have never worn these items (at least not outside the house!) again if it wasn't for this great little gadget." — Paula Nelson

Get it from Amazon for $12.88 (available in six colors).

19. An Instant Pot magnetic cheat sheet you can stick right on your machine, giving you a helpful source that's far more reliable than asking Alexa for recipe directions every step of the way.

This includes 95 common food ingredients with their liquid ratios and cooking times. There's info for pasta and grains, seafood and fish, pork, beans and legumes, vegetables, chicken, beef, and other meats.

Promising review: "I am so happy that I decided to give this product a try! What an amazing idea. I placed the smaller magnet right on the Instant Pot and use it daily for a quick reference. Instead of searching the cookbook or the internet, I can just glance over and know in an instant how to program my Instant Pot for that particular product ." — Olesya

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes).

20. A USB cord bracelet great for vacations or for anyone who seems to need a charge at a moment's notice.

This specific bracelet is compatible with Apple, but you can also get one for Samsung products .

Promising review: "I usually have every sort of cable that I could possibly need when I'm at work, but I don't usually carry one on my person when I'm elsewhere. It looks sharp, and isn't obviously a cable, but its always available should you need it. One thing I have found is that the cable is compatible with Apple CarPlay, and when plugged into a computer will function like a default Apple cable. I am incredibly happy with it and would recommend it to anyone who might ask." — Patt Duffy

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven colors).

21. A multi-tier drinking fountain — it's gonna help keep your cat hydrated, because cats' instincts tell them that moving water is cleaner than still water. This thing looks great, is whisper-quiet, and even dishwasher-safe!

P.S. This is also a great choice for small dogs!

Promising reviews: "My Jake loves his new water dish! The constant flow keeps the water fresh and clean. I filled it and, just to test it, emptied it two days later. There was no scum and the water was clean. I am now confident I can just replenish the water lost. Jake drinks more water than before, which is good for him. I would recommend this to any pet owner." —RescueMom

"Our little dog, who is 15 years old, was starting to have trouble seeing and drinking from her normal water bowl, so we ordered this to see if it would help! It is perfect! Not only is it higher than a bowl on the floor, which helps her neck pain but the water also moves and she loves drinking from the top part. This is great for an aging pet! " —Happypetparent

Get it from Chewy for $29.95 (originally $64.99).

22. A nose butter that'll soothe your dog's schnoz if it gets dry or cracked this winter.

Promising review: "I received this item yesterday, so I have been using it three times a day for two days. My poor, beautiful English mastiff has had a horrible nose for so long. I have talked to the vet and researched on forums, but had yet to find a solution that actually worked. My husband was skeptical when I stumbled across this product but said to try it. I am amazed and recommend this to anyone who has a pup in need. Two days and my puppy's nose is almost as good as new! This stuff is a miracle-worker! I have attached a photo of the before and after so you can see the results too (pictured above). A huge thank you from my pup and myself!" — Bleeding Rose

Get it from Amazon for $7.19+ (available in several packaging styles based on breed).

23. An oven thermometer for folks who find their rental's ancient oven finicky at best. Use this for making sure you know the *actual* temperature, preventing any further cooking fails — courtesy of your oven.

Promising review: "This is a great value for the product. The ovens I have used have always seemed to be a bit off, so this was very important to have around the house especially for recipes that need a very specific temperature. My wife bakes a lot and before having an oven thermometer, she often times over-baked or under-baked her recipes. This thermostat can hang easily on the oven rack and is easy to read, making it helpful for any dish that needs to be baked at a certain temperature. Highly recommend this product!" — Abe

Get it from Amazon for $7.79 .

24. An anti-fog spray to give responsible folks who have been wearing face masks despite their glasses constantly fogging up — you deserve to see the light!

Promising review: "I bought this product because wearing a face mask makes my glasses fog, even with the metal strip to form around the bridge of my nose. It works all day with only one application, unless I have been doing a lot of activity, then I might have to re-apply. Just spray it on the clean lenses of your glasses then wipe dry with a clean dry lintless cloth, as simple as that. I was so impressed that I gave my second bottle to my team members for them to use. Delivery was fast. I highly recommend this product from this company. I would not hesitate to buy this again when I need more in the future." — Tonya Crippen

Get it from Amazon for $10.55 .

25. A ring-size adjuster for helping you wear oversized rings without spending a bundle on getting them fitted.

Promising review: "This is so simple yet so efficient! I have thin fingers (size 4) and my rings always spin all the way around. This product was very easy to use. I used both sizes, one for my bridal set that is soldered together and the thin one for my other ring. You can customize the fit by using more or less turns of the twine. It will be fairly easy to remove and attach again on swollen finger days. And it's super cheap. I think I should be able to resize 10 rings without having to reuse any of the twine. I'm very satisfied!" — new mom 2

Get four from Amazon for $4.99 .

26. A roll of glow in-the-dark tape you can basically use any time you'd rather not trip or stub your toe in the dark. This stuff really is, ahem, a ~bright~ idea.

Promising review: " I bought this tape hoping I could use it to label switches on a guitar effects pedalboard (above, right) so I could identify them on a dark stage while playing. It works perfectly! It was easy to trim the length and width neatly, thanks to the lines marked on the reverse backing. Sharpie ink goes on easily, with no smearing, and it's high contrast and easy to read in both light and dark environments.

When I tested 'supercharging' the tape with a bright pocket flashlight just before playing, the glow was a really bright green and it was incredibly easy to read the labeling – even in total darkness. I am really impressed with this tape. It performed much better than I had hoped for. I am going to give strips to my friends so they can label their boards as well." — Shopper

Get it from Amazon for $13.97 .

27. A double-sided exfoliating lip brush with a side that scrubs and another that stimulates circulation — both are gonna help make your lips look smoother and fuller.

Promising review: " I admit I was skeptical about this product but my desperation to regain my soft lips made me click the 'buy' button. My lips were dried, cracked, and even bleeding — very painful. Even my tried-and-true expensive-as-heck lip moisturizer I use couldn't help. Having this lip brush did the trick and made all the difference. The exfoliation must have allowed my lip moisturizer to get better absorbed. I was able to see results in just a couple days . Now I have soft and supple lips again . And it was so easy to clean the brush afterwards. Where has this thing been all my life? I don't think I can live without it now." — Double-J

Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in three colors).

28. A pack of six furniture markers that's gonna delight your kids when you tell them they actually ~can~ draw on the furniture.

Promising review: "I am thoroughly impressed! We have a 115-plus-year-old house and we only have hardwood in our downstairs hall and den. We didn't want to spend tons of money because we are probably going to be replacing the flooring in a few years. I'm actually still working on this as I'm writing this, but I am so impressed that I just had to write a review right away. The only 'negative' I have is that the colors are darker than the caps show, but not a big deal. For the money, you can't go wrong." — Borg

Get them from Amazon for $8.99 .

29. A tiny Jibbitz accessory to put on your Crocs to let everyone know (in the most meta way) just how much you love your Crocs.

Those are my Crocs! And *my* accessory of choice. The only thing better than Crocs is MORE CROCS.

Get it from Crocs for $4.99 .

30. A nail and cuticle oil made from jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E that'll strengthen chipped, cracking, dry, and brittle nails.

Promising review: "I had peeling, weak nails for years. This size bottle lasted a bit more than a month while I was religiously applying it two-three times a day in February. I was really seeing great improvements, so I bought another bottle in late March. By May, all the peeling had grown out and my nails were getting stronger every day. Cannot recommend this stuff enough!" — Diana

Get it from Amazon for $8.50 .

31. A bed bridge to turn two twins into a king and truly help you out if you go to bed wondering how to build bridges in your life. I mean, here's one way.

Promising review: "I love this bed bridge. I bought two twin XL, adjustable beds and didn't realize the gap it would leave. My husband and I would always find each other in the abyss between our beds. Then this came to the rescue! Now there is no more gap in the bed and it's strong enough to keep us from sinking into it! My husband and I can now cuddle comfortably!" — Cami

Get it from Amazon for $40.95 .

32. A hand massager designed to relax your joints and ease pressure. Use this spiffy tool once a day and you're sure to be ~on a roll~ again in no time.

Promising review: "This is self-care at its best. I like using it on the side of my poor, arthritic fingers. It really feels good over my knuckles. It feels good. Hand arthritis hurts and it is nice to have some relief." — M. V. Kolar

Get it from Amazon for $9.98 .

33. A bottle of wine drops , a natural sulfite and tannin remover — a few drops of this will let you enjoy your drink without worrying about getting a headache afterwards.

One of these will treat up to 55 glasses of wine (up to nine bottles!). You need 1-2 drops for a white wine and 2-3 for a red.

Promising review: "This product was really amazing. I buy a lot of stuff on Amazon and never write a review, however this product is worth writing one. I've used the Wand as well and like it, however the biggest drawback of the Wand is having to explain why I'm using it to others and causing undue attention. This is a quick solution to that issue. The product itself works great. I get bad headaches whenever I drink wine, however with this product I'm able to drink two to three glasses without the headaches . I'm not sure exactly what causes the headaches, whether it's tannins, sulfites, etc., however I just know this cures the issue. I'm sure there are those who are skeptical, I certainly was, but I can truly say it works for me and hopefully others will find success using it as well. " — luke

Get it from Amazon for $14.99 .

34. A pack of lobe support patches to ease the weight of your earrings, keeping your lobes from getting stretched and making sure your cutest accessories aren't a weight on your shoulders.

Promising review: "Amazing. Literal lifesavers. I LOVE my heavy Kendra Scott earrings, but I’m pretty sure they’re the culprit of why my right earring hole has ripped slightly. Using these support patches, it’s as if the earrings don’t even exist. I am going to tell all of my friends to get these for their heavy statement earrings!!" — Donthemom50

Get a box of 60 patches from Amazon for $9.91 .

35. A sliding webcam cover so you can show off your WFH lewk when you want to, and never when you don't. No more worries about forgetting to turn off the camera. We've been doing this too long at this point. It's time to bring in the hardware solutions.

Promising review: "The device sticks well to the computer and is thinner than any other one I purchased in the past. It's been doing a great job of covering my camera ; it slides easily when I want to use the camera, and it's so thin there are no issues closing the laptop . I tend to be kind of hard on my laptop, and I'm impressed with the durability ." — Sha

Get it from Amazon for $5.95+ (available in three colors).

36. An eye primer for anyone who spends way too much time on their smokey eye to have it sweat off the minute they hit the dance floor.

Promising review: "So I use this primer for my eyeliner AND eyebrows, and it is a life-changer !!! I work jobs and a majority of the day I'm waitressing outside on the patio in the humidity. I needed something to keep my eyeliner intact so I didn't look like a raccoon by the end of my shift. It literally kept my makeup looking like I just put it on allllll day no matter how bad I sweat in the heat!!! I used it only on my eyes first just to try and I was amazed. So the next day I tried it as a primer for my eyebrows too before I filled them in and it does the same for my eyebrows! I'm in love with this product. Hopefully my picture will prove it!!" — Molly

Get it from Amazon for $13.48 .

37. A set of carriage door magnets — throw these snazzy things on your garage and you're gonna make your sedan feel sensational every time you pull into the driveway.

Promising review: " These really dressed up our garage door!!!! UPDATE!! It has been almost a year since I purchased these. They have faded ever so slightly but still hold on to the metal of the garage door and have not cracked with the cold of winter or heat of summer. Very pleased!!!" — Robert R

Get a set of four hinges and two handles on Amazon for $11.68 .

38. A stress vest to keep your K-9 calm when thunder starts rumbling or in other high-stress situations.

Promising review: " I’m a little weirded-out by how well this works. It's a lifesaver! I bought it knowing I’d probably send it back. My schnauzer destroys my house when I leave and I don’t want him to spend his life in a crate. I bought this as a last-ditch effort before having him medicated to keep him from freaking out when we leave. It works. 100%. We’ve had it for about four weeks and tested it. If we leave and he’s wearing it he won’t touch ANYTHING. He’s very calm and collected. If he’s not wearing it he is antsy and we come home to DVDs destroyed, picture frames torn apart, his toys gutted and piled in the middle of the room, and hats chewed beyond saving. I’d recommend this to anyone with an anxious dog." — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $39.95+ (available in two colors and seven sizes).

39. A cast-iron stake to let your neighbors know your yard is not their basset hound's bathroom...without taking away from your *gorge* rhododendrons.

Promising review: "I love this little sign! It's such a polite way to tell your neighbors not to let their dogs go on your lawn. We had a problem with one particular neighbor who wouldn't pick up after her two small dogs and this has totally alleviated that. She simply walks past our yard now. It's cute, the perfect size, and effective!" — MO x CO x KO

Get it from Amazon for $8.73 .

40. A bug bite suction tool that'll remove the venom from any stings and help reduce itchiness, pain, and swollen skin.

Promising review: "I am a magnet for bites of all kinds and carry topical and medicines with me at all times — so I figured this would be a good product to see if it really works. It arrived on Monday and on Tuesday morning I woke up with a bug bite on my arm. I used this little tool (three times, per the instructions) and documented with photos. Immediately after using, it stopped itching! And less than 24 hours later the bump/bite was gone! There is a very faint red mark from using the thing but a small price to pay IMO. Bottom line: it’s awesome. I’m carrying it with me everywhere!" — Rebecca

Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in two colors).

41. A tie hanger that can hold up to 20 ties, keeping your favorite accessories neat and tie -dy all the time.

Promising review: "Good quality, small, and compact. I own about 10 of these now." –Target reviewer

Get it from Target for $7 .

42. A pack of five elastic scrunchies for anyone who is ready to break up with breakage caused by tight elastics. These are also great for preventing tension headaches if you like having your hair up when you sleep!

Promising review: "Reader, I love these scrunchies for my curly-frizzy-coarse and dry dry dry hair. I travel in them (they saved my hair on a looooooong set of flights to and from Australia this past January), sleep in them EVERY NIGHT, and I even wear them out when my hair is dirty and it's ~low bun time~ to dress it up a bit. I have absolutely noticed a reduction in breakage and the strands that cascade to the floor when I take my hair down in the morning for styling. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option to just add a little TLC to your hair care, I absolutely recommend these bbs. And in several months of constant use, there's been no stretching out, even though I have quite a bit of hair." — Maitland Quitmeyer , BuzzFeed Staff

Get them from Amazon for $7.99 .

43. A versatile bag clip for treating your Gucci dupe with the love and respect it deserves — it's hard work looking that pretty!

Promising review: "I have a very heavy, large purse that is a bottomless pit. One time I put my purse on the back of my chair at a cafe and the whole chair flipped over, that is how heavy my bag is. I was looking for something so that I could hook my purse on things so it wasn’t sitting on the floor and was more accessible. I love this little gadget. I have used it on everything from bathroom stalls to tables to grocery carts. This thing really grips. All of my girlfriends love it and have gotten it for themselves." — Jennifer

Get it from Amazon for $15.95 (available in five colors).

44. A pasta measuring tool for cooks who are incapable of using their ~noodle~ when it comes to solving the dreaded "how much dry pasta is too much cooked pasta" life quiz.

Promising review: "This is a lifesaver. I used to make more pasta than was necessary. Now I can make the perfect amount of pasta without looking like I’m trying to feed a whole army." — ashting

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 .

45. A clever pack of baby clothes dividers for organizing your newborn's outfits by month — making sure you have the clothes you need when baby Daisy starts growing like a weed.

Promising review: "I love these. They're perfect to organize our little guy's clothes. They make it easy to know what sizes we have and what we need before he comes ." — Jennifer

Get them from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two colors).

46. DERMAdoctor Ultra Gentle Brightening Antiperspirant that works to reduce sweat and skin discoloration. This'll improve skintone, is non-irritant, and is sure to have you throwing your arms in the air because you just won't care!

This is quick-drying, dermatologist approved, and free of fragrance, dyes, and gluten. BTW this is not tested on animals!

Promising review: "It is really good and brightens the underarms in the long run, it is also great in reducing smell." —Armani

Get it from SkinStore for $30.

47. A bag of Dreams Aren't This Good tortilla chips cooked up specifically to be reheated in the oven, so you can have fresh, hot, restaurant-worthy chips and salsa at your kitchen counter.

Fair warning: these chips will ruin other tortilla chips for you. My husband and I eat chips and salsa constantly and these are the best we've had. Being able to warm them up totally changes the snacking game. Plus all of their salsa options are delicious. To heat, place in an oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees (on a sheet of foil) for a few minutes.

Get a three-pack from Dreams Aren't This Good for $24.99 (available in two pack sizes).

48. And finally, a birthdate candle with an aroma uniquely formulated to correspond to your birthday. Gift yourself this and 2021 is sure to smell like a breath of fresh air!

Promising review: "The candle is beyond my expectations, from the astrological and numerology readings down to the fragrance. To my amazement, it was aromatically in line with my taste; I couldn't believe it. It matched perfectly with my taste and personality; they certainly know their stuff! The candle is all-around perfect. I'm completely satisfied with my purchase." — Nury C.

Get it from Birthdate Candles for $38 (available in 365 birthday options).

When you use these products and realize you're better at everything than everyone:

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.

When it comes to everyday problems in your life, some are easier to fix than you might think, like not having enough lighting in your kitchen or losing items in your purse. Amazon is a handy site when looking for solutions, as they have tons of products to help solve those pesky common issues.

In this list, you’ll find a bunch of simple life solutions , at home and on the go. In the kitchen, you can improve your dish-drying setup with this silicone drying mat that’s easy to clean. Make it easier to add sugar to your coffee or tea with this glass container that dispenses from the bottom.

Forgetting where to be and when? Keep your appointments and events more organized with this magnetic whiteboard calendar that’s perfect for attaching to your fridge. Is your closet becoming an issue? You can better organize your shoes with this bamboo shoe rack that looks great wherever it’s placed.

Whether your problems are in the kitchen, the closet, or your own purse, you’ll find plenty of solutions that make your life just a little bit easier in this list.

Problem: You Can’t Reach The Candle Wick

After you’ve burned a candle for a while, it can be tricky to light without burning your hand. This electric lighter has a long, bendable neck, so you can adjust it based on the size and depth of your candle. Since it’s electric, the lighter is rechargeable using a USB charging port and doesn’t use lighter fluid.

Problem: Your Half-Eaten Bag Of Chips Went Stale

Keep your snacks fresh with this mini bag sealer . The device uses heat to reseal the packaging of chips, cookies, and other snacks, so they don’t go stale. It heats up in just a few seconds and seals almost instantly. It’s also lightweight, so you can take it to work or while traveling.

Problem: Necklaces Are Getting Tangled

A layered necklace look is always chic — unless, of course, your necklaces get tangled. This clasp allows you to clip three necklaces onto little rings that keep the chains separated. It clasps together with a magnet, so it’s easy to take on and off. It’s also great for bracelets and comes in silver and gold.

Problem: Inside Your Bag Is A Mess

Having an organized purse is a rare skill that most of us don’t possess — it doesn’t help that many bags (looking at you totes!) don’t even have any inner pockets or storage. This purse organizer insert has 10 pockets, including a zippered one, so you can keep your wallet, makeup, gum, and other items in their own pockets. The organizer is made from a sturdy felt material and comes in 19 colors and designs, including snakeskin and polka dot.

Problem: Burning Your Fingers & Forearms

When it comes to kitchen tools, oven mitts are not somewhere you want to skimp, since they protect you from burning yourself. These silicone oven mitts have an extra thick padded lining, so they keep your hands and arms safe, but they also have a silicone layer on the outside which makes them heat resistant up to 450 degrees. Aside from the brilliant red shade featured, you can also buy them in aqua, gray, and black.

Problem: Charging Cables Everywhere

Keep all your devices at 100% with this 3-in-1 charging station. With a spot for your phone, smartwatch, and earbuds, this charging station is perfect for keeping in your home or office. It uses wireless charging, so it also means you won’t have a huge mess of cords. It’s compatible with most smart devices, including Apple, Android, and Samsung.

Problem: Poorly Lit Cabinets & Closets

Add more light to your closets, cabinets — or anywhere that needs a little extra light — without having to install a whole light fixture. These under the cabinet lights come with adhesive tape, so they’re easy to install. A remote is included, so the brightness can be easily adjusted.

Problem: Bugs Getting In The House

When the weather’s nice out, it’s the perfect time to leave your door open to let the warm breeze in. Of course, the open air comes with bugs — unless you have one of these magnetic screen doors . Made from a fine mesh, the screen lets air in but keeps bugs and debris out. It also has a magnetic closure so you can enter and exit even if your hands are full.

Problem: Running Out Of Paper Towels

Paper towels are handy, but they eventually run out. These Swedish dishcloths , on the other hand, are machine washable and reusable up to 100 times. Plus they come in a pack of 10, so they can take the place of several paper towel rolls. The cloths are stiff when dry but become soft and pliable when wet.

Problem: Overbooking Your Schedule

If you have a hard time keeping track of your schedule, then this magnetic whiteboard calendar will come in handy. The calendar is ideal for attaching to the fridge, or any other magnetic surface. It can be filled in and erased each month to keep track of appointments and events. You can use it immediately, as it comes with six dry erase markers.

Problem: Having Noisy Housemates

Keep your room quiet with this door draft stopper that blocks out noise and insulates. This stopper has a velcro strip that makes it more adjustable. It also helps keep cold air out and keep heat in. For those with noisy roommates, this can offer a bit more peace at a low price.

Problem: Losing Your Luggage

It can be hard to keep track of your luggage when so many suitcases look alike. Set yours apart with this luggage tag that has a big colorful letter on it to match your initial on your first or last name. The tag is made of rubber, so it won’t be easily damaged, and includes a card for writing down your contact information in the chance your luggage gets misplaced.

Problem: Not Being Able To Properly Clean Your Reusable Straws (Or Not Having Them At All)

Reusable straws are great for reducing single-use plastic, but they can be a pain to clean. These silicone straws come with their own cleaning brush that gets into the narrow cavity of the straws. They can be used for hot and cold drinks and are safe to throw in the dishwasher. They also come in a 2-pack, with 20 straws total.

Problem: Breaking Dishes Because You Don’t Have A Proper Place To Dry Them

If you’re playing Jenga with your dishes when you’re setting them on your counter to dry then chances are you’ve broken more than a few. But that is where this silicone dish drying mat comes in: It’s soft but non-slip so you can set your wet dishes on it without them slipping around, cracking, and shattering. It is easy to clean, so it won’t build up dirt and grime like a cloth drying mat. It’s dishwasher safe and heat-resistant, so you can also use it to support hot plates.

Problem: Getting Syrup Or Honey All Over Your Hands

When it gets on your hands, syrup seems to multiply — making everything you touch sticky for the rest of the day. But with this syrup/honey dispenser , you can keep your hands clean. The dispenser has a lever you can pull that releases syrup from the bottom of the bottle. Dispensing from the bottom also means you’ll be able to get every last drop of the sticky sweet liquid sugar without having to shake the bottle or awkwardly balance it on its head while it slowly drips towards the opening at the top. This dispenser comes with a stand with a reservoir to catch any syrup drips.

Problem: Running Out Of Aluminum Foil

Never worry about running out of foil or plastic wrap again with this reusable food wrap made from beeswax. These wraps are moldable to your needs, so they can cover a large bowl of salad or wrap around a leftover piece of fruit. They’re washable and reusable, plus biodegradable, so they’re better for the environment.

Problem: Your Rugs Are Sliding Around

Keep your rugs from slipping around the floor with this rug pad that can be cut to fit any size you need. The pad is made from a non-slip foam that can be used on wood floors, tile, and other materials. It automatically sticks to the rug and the floor, so there’s no special installation required.

Problem: There’s Not Enough Storage Space In The Living Room

Use this storage ottoman to hold blankets, books, pillows, and other items that don’t necessarily have a good home in your living room. The ottoman has a faux leather cushioned top, which is perfect for resting your feet on. The lid is removable with a collapsible base.

Problem: Figuring Out Where To Put Your Phone During Workouts

Workout clothes don’t always have pockets for holding your phone the way a pair of jeans does. Luckily, these high-waisted leggings have pockets on the thigh, so your phone will be safe and secure while you’re going on a walk or run. They’re made from a soft, stretchy fabric made from a spandex and polyester blend for maximum comfort.

• Available sizes: One Size and One Size Plus
• Available colors: 51

Problem: It’s Too Bright To Nap

Darken your room without the hassle of professionally installing shades. This set of six window shades comes with sticky adhesive for easy installation. They can also be cut to size, so you can fit them exactly to your window. They also come with clips to help you easily adjust the height.

Problem: You’re Not Able To Find Your Keys After Dropping Them

Dropping your keys in the dark can be a huge pain, but this magnetic pickup tool will help save the day. The tool has a long arm, bright flashlight, and magnetic surface to pick up whatever you dropped. Use it to safely collect anything metal, or magnetically attach it to a metal surface, like the hood of your car, for better vision.

Problem: There’s No Way To Store Canned Pet Food

I recently started feeding my dog canned wet food, and having can covers makes it so much easier. This set of five covers is made from food-safe silicone and fits three different sizes of cans. They’re dishwasher safe and come in an array of colors. They also have a cute paw tab that makes removal a breeze.

Problem: You Slept In And It’s Too Late To Get Coffee

We can’t all get up early to make it to the coffee shop before work. Make your own fancy latte at home with this milk frother . The lightweight device is easy to use and turns milk into foam in just a few seconds. It’s portable, so you can even take it with you to work or on vacation. It also comes with its own metal stand.

Problem: There’s Nowhere To Put Your Essentials When Going For A Walk

Sometimes you want to go on a walk or hike, but don’t want to drag around a heavy backpack. Did you know that fanny packs are back in style? This fanny pack is the perfect option for holding your phone, wallet, keys, and other essentials. The fanny pack is made from durable nylon that is water-resistant. It has six zippered pockets, so your things will be safe and sound.

Problem: Breaking Eggs When Storing Them In The Fridge

Cardboard egg cartons are flimsy — stack them in your fridge and chances are you’re probably going to end up breaking an egg or two — which is why these plastic egg cartons are so genius. They’re sturdy and stackable, so you can organize your fridge and protect your eggs. The trays come in a pack of two and hold 12 eggs each.

Problem: You’re Dropping Nails & Screws While Working

If you like to spend time working on DIY projects or doing repairs, then this magnetic wristband will come in handy. The wristband attaches with velcro and is handy for holding screws, nails, or other tools you’re using while working. The wristband is equipped with 10 strong magnets, but it’s still lightweight.

Problem: You’re Spending Too Much On Cold Brew

Save yourself time in the morning and ditch the coffee shop. This cold brew maker has a stainless steel filter and holds up to 12 cups, so you can make cold brew for the whole week. Just put your favorite coffee grounds in the filter, add water, and put it in the fridge to steep. It can also be used for making iced tea. It comes in two sizes — two liters and a gallon.

Problem: You Always Drop Your Soap In The Shower

A bar of soap can be hard to hold onto in the shower, but these soap saver bags are easier to grip. The five-bag set is made from natural sisal plants, which help the soap lather and produce foam. The bags are also ideal for when the bar of soap gets too small, but you’re not ready to throw it out just yet.

Problem: There’s Nowhere To Store Leftover Food

A good set of food containers serve as one of the most useful tools in any kitchen. These glass storage containers come in a set of 24, with a range of sizes to fit everything from leftover salmon to half a lemon. The containers have an airtight seal that is leakproof, so it’s perfect for storing leftovers to take for lunch.

Problem: The Sheets Keep Coming Off The Bed

It’s a pain when your fitted sheets don’t stay fitted. These sheet holder straps clip onto the corner of your sheets, holding them in place so they don’t slip off. The straps have metal clips and elastic bands, which are easy to install. They’re basically like little suspenders for your sheets.

Problem: You Can’t Find Your Shoes

If you have a habit of misplacing your shoes around the house, then this shoe shelf will help keep them organized. Made from sturdy bamboo, the shelf holds three or four pairs of shoes on each tier and is perfect for keeping in the entryway or bedroom. If you need three or more tiers, Amazon offers those options as well.

Problem: Misplacing Your Keys

Attach this Tile Bluetooth tracker to your keyring and you won’t have to dig through all your purses to find your keys. The small, lightweight tracker connects to the Tile app on your phone, so it can help you find your keys in your home, or if you left them in your bag somewhere while out and about. It’s incredible how much time you’ll save (and how many appointments you’ll be on time for.)

Problem: Uneven Winged Eyeliner

Unless you’re a professional makeup artist, getting the perfect winged eyeliner can be tricky. This eyeliner stamp makes it so much easier by literally stamping the shape of the wing on the corner of your eye. Each liner has two ends, one for the stamp and one with a fine point for refining the edges. It’s also waterproof and smudge-proof.

Problem: Forgetting A Good Pillow While Traveling

One of the worst feelings in the world is needing a pillow, but not having a pillow. Luckily, you can prep ahead of time by storing this compressible memory foam pillow in the trunk of your car. It doesn’t take up a lot of room but will offer a ton of comfort in a pinch. It’s also machine washable.

Problem: Getting Sauce On The Counter

The problem with most spoon rests is that they only hold one spoon. This silicone utensil rest has four slots, which is perfect if you’re the kind of cook (like me) who cooks with a spatula and two spoons at the same time. The utensil rest has a large drip pad to catch any sauce or liquid that drips off. The best part is that you can easily throw it in the dishwasher to clean.

Problem: Avocados Going Bad Too Quickly

Avocados are an odd shape, so they don’t always fit in a typical storage container. This avocado saver is designed to preserve the fruit with an indent designed to fit around the pit (leaving the pit in helps it from going brown) The container also has an adjustable strap to keep the avocado in place, like a little seatbelt.

Problem: Having Too Much Produce You Didn’t Finish

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How to Structure Customer Service Calls to Boost Satisfaction and Sales

• Jonah Berger,
• Grant Packard

Researchers found that service agents yield better results when they use warm language to start and end conversations, focusing on problem-solving in the middle.

We all know from our experience as customers that the things that salespeople say in a conversation affects our feelings and choices. A new study showed that the timing of language matters as well. By analyzing tens of thousands of moments or turns in service calls, researchers found that service agents get better customer satisfaction and purchase volume if they use warmer language at the start and finish of their interaction with a customer. Contrary to some common practices where a problem-solving mode is used right away, the results suggest that employees should use words that show competence only in the middle of a customer conversation.

Language plays a key role in almost every marketplace interaction. It’s how salespeople talk to prospects, leaders talk to teams, and customer service agents talk to customers. Recently, firms have been measuring and optimizing their language to manage the customer experience , automate service , and help make business decisions .

• Jonah Berger is a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the author of Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way (Harper Business, 2023).
• Yang Li is an associate professor of marketing at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in Beijing, China.

Grant Packard is an associate professor of marketing at the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto, Canada.

Partner Center

Gun violence an 'urgent' public health crisis; surgeon general wants warnings on firearms

The soaring number of children killed by firearms has created an “urgent public health crisis” worthy of the response the government took to preventing cigarette smoking or car accidents, the nation’s top doctor said in a first-of-its-kind announcement Tuesday.

In an advisory , Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said gun violence demands a public health approach rather than the polarizing political response that has numbed Americans and public officials to enacting change as gun violence became the leading cause of death in children . Public health campaigns have provided a playbook for addressing the uniquely American problem of gun violence that kills nearly 50,000 people a year, he said.

“I want people to know this is a profound public health crisis, but it is a solvable public health crisis,” he told USA TODAY. “As a nation, we are not powerless. We can do something about it.”  

Gun violence: America’s largest mass shooting is the one happening every day. But we know how to stop it

Murthy's approach involves a range of responses, including warning labels on firearms, as with other consumer products, reinstating the ban on assault weapons and laws on safe gun storage to reduce the risk of homicides and suicides . He also emphasized the increased need for mental health resources for victims of gun violence, including trauma-informed health care and school-based services. 

In a statement posted to social media Tuesday morning, a National Rifle Association official called Murthy’s advisory “an extension of the Biden Administration’s war on law-abiding gun owners.”

“The reluctance to prosecute and punish criminals on the part of President Biden and many of his allies is the primary cause of that,” said Randy Kozuch, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, the organization’s lobbying arm.

The U.S. has already seen 235 mass shootings in 2024, according to the Gun Violence Archive , a nonprofit that tracks incidents involving four or more victims. Homicides and suicides, which don't get as much coverage , drive the country’s death toll.

Murthy’s call for an immediate public health response comes after similar calls for intervention from the American Medical Association and the American Public Health Association , which have long identified gun violence as a public health scourge. But Murthy's role as the nation’s top physician during two presidential administrations gives the declaration added weight.

Does it matter if we frame gun violence as a public health issue?

Murthy has issued previous advisories for public health crises, including alerts about the dangers of social media and an epidemic of loneliness. During the Obama administration, Murthy issued a crisis alert about e-cigarettes . Historically, surgeons general have issued warnings about pressing health concerns. Murthy said he believes this advisory can drive broader public awareness about the toll of gun violence in America.

“A public health approach is really fundamentally about ensuring that we are defining clearly a problem and its impact on health,” he said, adding it requires using data to understand the extent of the problem and who is most affected.

What difference does an official warning make?

Murthy’s advisory draws from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s response to violence prevention, which begins with monitoring through data and research, looking at risks and requiring widespread adoption. 

The advisory highlights interventions in communities and schools and mental health support, as well as safe and secure gun storage, background checks and effective gun removal policies. The advisory also explicitly calls for banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines for civilian use, along with restrictions on carrying loaded firearms in public spaces, concealed and open carry, and rules about using firearms in public.

The advisory calls for treating gun regulations like the U.S. does other consumer products, as it does motor vehicle standards, pesticide regulations and Food and Drug Administration approvals. Firearms do not have the same safety testing or safety features, including warning labels, as other products do.

Death rates for young people far surpass other countries

Gun violence has steadily risen in recent years. In 2022, more than 48,000 people died by gun violence, according to the advisory. That’s 16,000 more deaths than in 2010. Firearm-related suicides have increased by 20%, including a “staggering increase” in such deaths among young people, the advisory noted. 

Having guns increases the risk for all household members of dying by homicide and suicide, the advisory said. And keeping firearms unlocked also increases the risk of young people dying by suicide and accidents or suffering unintentional injuries.

In 2020, gun violence overtook car accidents as the leading cause of death among children. Firearm deaths among children and adolescents in the U.S. are six times as prevalent in the U.S. than in Canada and happen at more than 10 times the rate in Switzerland. In the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, the death rate by firearms is nearly 50 times lower than in the U.S.

Gun ownership: Supreme Court upholds law banning domestic abusers from owning guns

“Gun violence has now become a kids' issue,” Murthy said. “In my mind, that elevates the urgency and importance of us addressing this public health crisis.”

People of color are disparately affected by gun violence because they disproportionately live in poverty and in marginalized communities where they face an increased risk of shootings. 

The spillover effects of gun violence are sweeping, and not just for the victims. People who witness a shooting or lose loved ones to gun violence are more likely to experience depression or anxiety, according to the advisory. Victims' family members also face increased mental health struggles. Children whose parents die by homicide or suicide are likelier to experience depression, heart disease or cancer, and these experiences are shown to impact them through life, at school and work, the advisory said .

Mass shootings, which make up a small percentage of U.S. gun deaths, have outsized mental health consequences, causing people to worry about the risks of going to public places and events, the advisory said.

How can public health help solve the problem?

Murthy said he hopes the advisory will increase awareness and prompt health care systems and legislators to prioritize solutions.

In 1964, Luther Terry, the surgeon general for President Lyndon B. Johnson, issued an advisory that tobacco use was hazardous and caused cancer. At that time, Murthy said, cigarette smoking was “deeply embedded in the fabric of America.”

A year later, Congress enacted a law to create a warning label on cigarette products, according to the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress at the University of Delaware. Tobacco use dropped precipitously afterward , with declines in lung cancer and youth smoking, as a federal report showed.

Identifying the public health risks of smoking helped change the culture and make Americans safer. The same can be done with gun violence, Murthy said.

• Introduction
• Conclusions
• Article Information

TMM BirThree indicates Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation.

eTable. Results of the Complete Case Analysis (n = 6656)

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Takahashi I , Obara T , Ishikuro M, et al. Screen Time at Age 1 Year and Communication and Problem-Solving Developmental Delay at 2 and 4 Years. JAMA Pediatr. 2023;177(10):1039–1046. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.3057

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Screen Time at Age 1 Year and Communication and Problem-Solving Developmental Delay at 2 and 4 Years

• 1 Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
• 2 Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
• 3 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
• 4 United Graduate School of Child Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
• 5 Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
• 6 International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan

Question   Is there a dose-response association between screen time for children aged 1 year and functional development at ages 2 and 4 years?

Findings   In this cohort study including 7097 mother-child pairs, a dose-response association was observed between greater screen time at age 1 year and developmental delays in communication and problem-solving at ages 2 and 4 years.

Meaning   These findings suggest that domains of developmental delay should be considered separately in future discussions on screen time and child development.

Importance   Whether some domains of child development are specifically associated with screen time and whether the association continues with age remain unknown.

Objective   To examine the association between screen time exposure among children aged 1 year and 5 domains of developmental delay (communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal and social skills) at age 2 and 4 years.

Design, Participants, and Setting   This cohort study was conducted under the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study. Pregnant women at 50 obstetric clinics and hospitals in the Miyagi and Iwate prefectures in Japan were recruited into the study between July 2013 and March 2017. The information was collected prospectively, and 7097 mother-child pairs were included in the analysis. Data analysis was performed on March 20, 2023.

Exposure   Four categories of screen time exposure were identified for children aged 1 year (<1, 1 to <2, 2 to <4, or ≥4 h/d).

Main Outcomes and Measures   Developmental delays in the 5 domains for children aged 2 and 4 years were assessed using the Japanese version of the Ages & Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition. Each domain ranged from 0 to 60 points. Developmental delay was defined if the total score for each domain was less than 2 SDs from its mean score.

Results   Of the 7097 children in this study, 3674 were boys (51.8%) and 3423 were girls (48.2%). With regard to screen time exposure per day, 3440 children (48.5%) had less than 1 hour, 2095 (29.5%) had 1 to less than 2 hours, 1272 (17.9%) had 2 to less than 4 hours, and 290 (4.1%) had 4 or more hours. Children’s screen time was associated with a higher risk of developmental delay at age 2 years in the communication (odds ratio [OR], 1.61 [95% CI, 1.23-2.10] for 1 to <2 h/d; 2.04 [1.52-2.74] for 2 to <4 h/d; 4.78 [3.24-7.06] for ≥4 vs <1 h/d), fine motor (1.74 [1.09-2.79] for ≥4 vs <1 h/d), problem-solving (1.40 [1.02-1.92] for 2 to <4 h/d; 2.67 [1.72-4.14] for ≥4 vs <1 h/d), and personal and social skills (2.10 [1.39-3.18] for ≥4 vs <1 h/d) domains. Regarding risk of developmental delay at age 4 years, associations were identified in the communication (OR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.20-2.25] for 2 to <4 h/d; 2.68 [1.68-4.27] for ≥4 vs <1 h/d) and problem-solving (1.91 [1.17-3.14] for ≥4 vs <1 h/d) domains.

Conclusions and Relevance   In this study, greater screen time for children aged 1 year was associated with developmental delays in communication and problem-solving at ages 2 and 4 years. These findings suggest that domains of developmental delay should be considered separately in future discussions on screen time and child development.

Screen time is the amount of time that individuals spend watching television, playing video games, and using mobile phones, tablets, and other electronic devices. To ensure that children engage in physical activity and obtain adequate sleep for healthy growth and well-being, the World Health Organization 1 and the American Academy of Pediatrics 2 have issued guidelines that recommend limiting screen time for children, including a limit of 1 hour per day for children aged 2 to 5 years. 2 However, a recent meta-analysis reported that only a minority of children meet these guidelines. 3 In addition, children’s screen time has increased in recent years because of the rapid proliferation of digital devices and the COVID-19 pandemic. 4 - 6 Therefore, it is essential to consider how screen time affects child development.

Previous studies have reported associations between screen time and child development outcomes. These outcomes include communication, 7 , 8 daily living skills, 7 socialization, 7 gross and fine motor skills, 8 problem-solving skills, 8 personal and social skills, 8 developmental screening test total scores, 9 cognitive development, 10 , 11 socioemotional development, 9 language development, 11 - 13 attention problems, 14 behavioral problems, 15 , 16 and developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder. 17 , 18

Although several studies have examined the association between screen time and child development outcomes, 2 questions remain. The first is whether screen time is associated with child development domains and, if so, which ones. Because there are several domains of child development, its association with screen time may be domain specific. However, most previous studies examined a single measure as an outcome. 9 - 18 Only 2 studies 7 , 8 focused on multiple child development domains: one that considered several domains was cross-sectional, 8 and the other performed a longitudinal examination. 7 Therefore, further research focusing on several developmental domains is needed to clarify the association between screen time and individual child development domains.

The second question is whether the association between children’s screen time and developmental delay continues with age. To our knowledge, only 2 studies 9 , 16 have examined whether screen time is associated with child development outcomes at several later time points. Both studies used random-intercept cross-lagged panel models: one examined the association between screen time and developmental screening scores at ages 2, 3, and 5 years, 9 and the other examined the association between screen time and externalizing and internalizing behavior at ages 3, 5, 7, and 9 years. 16 The findings of both studies did not support an association between children’s screen time at a single point and child development outcomes at 2 or more later points. 9 , 16 These studies examined developmental and behavioral screening test scores 9 , 16 ; however, there are several phenotypic domains of child development.

Considering these findings, it is essential to examine whether screen time is continuously associated with child development domains at multiple time points and, if so, which ones. Therefore, this study examined the association between screen time exposure at age 1 year and 5 domains of developmental delay (communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal and social skills) at ages 2 and 4 years among participants in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation (TMM BirThree) Cohort Study, a representative population in Japan and one of the largest cohorts for this research area.

Details of the TMM BirThree cohort study are provided elsewhere. 19 - 22 The Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization Institutional Review Board reviewed and approved the study protocol. Pregnant women at 50 obstetric clinics and hospitals in the Miyagi and Iwate prefectures in Japan were recruited into the study between July 2013 and March 2017. 19 , 20 Trained genomic medical research coordinators explained the study details to all potential participants and obtained signed consent. 19 , 20 The study followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology ( STROBE ) reporting guideline.

Of the 23 130 mother-child pairs in the TMM BirThree cohort, 16 033 were excluded as follows: 505 withdrew informed consent, 875 participated in the study survey more than once, 8820 were missing information on screen time at age 1 year, and 2512 and 3321 were missing information on development outcomes at ages 2 and 4 years, respectively. Therefore, 7097 mother-child pairs were included in the analysis ( Figure ).

Children’s screen time at age 1 year was assessed using a questionnaire in which participants were asked the following: “On a typical day, how many hours do you allow your children to watch TV, DVDs, video games, internet games (including mobile phones and tablets), etc?” There were 5 response categories: none, less than 1, 1 to less than 2, 2 to less than 4, or 4 or more hours per day. We merged 2 categories (none and <1), resulting in 4 categories of screen time exposure (<1, 1 to <2, 2 to <4, or ≥4 h/d).

To assess developmental delay among children, we used the Ages & Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3). 23 , 24 The ASQ-3 assesses child development from ages 1 to 66 months. In this study, parents responded to questions in the Japanese version of the ASQ-3 regarding their children aged 2 and 4 years. 24 The ASQ-3 comprised 6 questions divided into the following 5 domains: communication (babbling, vocalizing, and understanding), gross motor (arm, body, and leg movement), fine motor (hand and finger movement), problem-solving (learning and playing with toys), and personal and social skills (solitary social play and playing with toys and other children). The response options included “yes,” “sometimes,” or “not yet” (10, 5, or 0 points, respectively), and each domain was scored with a range of 0 to 60 points. 23 , 24 If 1 or 2 of the 6 questions were missed, the remaining total score was multiplied by 1.2 or 1.5, adjusted from 0 to 60, respectively. 23 , 24 One question in the gross motor domain for children aged 2 years asked about a possible behavior that they may have had previously but no longer did because they acquired more advanced skills. If parents answered “not yet” or “sometimes” on the easier item and “yes” on the more advanced item, the response on the earlier item was changed to “yes.” 23 , 24 A total score of each domain that was less than −2 SDs relative to the mean in reference indicated developmental delay and the need for further assessment. 23 , 24 A previous study showed that this cutoff point had moderate sensitivity and specificity to estimate any delay, severe delay, motor delay, and cognitive delay, 25 and it has also been used widely in the screening of Japanese children. 26 , 27

We selected covariates that may affect the association between children’s screen time and developmental delay based on previous studies. 7 - 18 Children’s sex was garnered from birth records. Information about maternal age at delivery and parity (nulliparous, or primiparous or multiparous) was gathered from medical records. We divided maternal age into 4 categories (<25, 25-29, 30-35, or >35 years). Information on annual household income (<¥4 000 000 [US <$28 400], ¥4 000 000-5 999 999 [US $28 400-$42 599], or ≥¥6 000 000 [US ≥$42 600]) was gathered from the midpregnancy questionnaire. Data on maternal educational attainment (high school graduate or less, junior college or vocational college graduate, university graduate or above, or other), child living with grandparents or other adults (yes or no), and maternal postpartum depression and maternal bonding disorder were gathered using the questionnaire at 1 year post partum. Maternal postpartum depression was assessed using the Japanese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). 28 - 30 In Japan, an EPDS score of 9 or higher is widely used as the cutoff point for screening of postpartum depression, with previous studies reporting sensitivity of 75% and 82% and specificity of 93% and 95% at 1 month post partum. 29 , 30 Maternal bonding disorder was assessed using the Japanese version of the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale 31 - 33 (MIBS-J), and the cutoff point was set at 5. A previous study of Japanese mothers with 1-month-old infants showed that an MIBS-J cutoff point of 4 or 5 correctly classified approximately 90% of pathological maternal bonding disorders. 33

Participant characteristics were described according to the 4 categories of child screen time at age 1 year (<1, 1 to <2, 2 to <4, or ≥4 h/d). Characteristics are presented as frequencies with percentages and as medians with IQRs. Associations between the 4 screen time categories at 1 year and the 5 ASQ-3 domains of developmental delay in children at 2 and 4 years were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs (with <1 h/d as the reference). Missing covariates were imputed through multiple imputations by chained equations using the exposure, outcome, and covariates in the main analysis. 34 Twenty sets of quasi-complete data were analyzed in the multivariable analyses independently and the estimates were integrated. 34 In addition, as a supplemental analysis, a complete case analysis was performed in which participants with at least 1 missing covariate were excluded. All statistical analyses were performed using R, version 4.0.2 (R Project for Statistical Computing), and 95% CIs not crossing 1.00 were considered statistically significant. Data analysis was performed on March 20, 2023.

Of the 7097 children included this study, 3674 were boys (51.8%) and 3423 were girls (48.2%). Table 1 presents participant characteristics according to the 4 categories of children’s screen time. In terms of screen time exposure per day, 3440 children (48.5%) had less than 1 hour, 2095 (29.5%) had 1 to less than 2 hours, 1272 (17.9%) had 2 to less than 4 hours, and 290 (4.1%) had 4 or more hours. At age 2 years, developmental delays were observed in the communication (361 [5.1%]), gross motor (400 [5.6%]), fine motor (329 [4.6%]), problem-solving (301 [4.2%]), and personal and social skills (387 [5.5%]) domains. At age 4 years, developmental delays were also observed in the communication (283 [4.0%]), gross motor (303 [4.3%]), fine motor (349 [4.9%]), problem-solving (269 [3.8%]), and personal and social skills (328 [4.6%]) domains. Mothers of children with high levels of screen time were characterized as being younger, having never given birth, and having a lower household income, lower maternal education level, and having postpartum depression.

Table 2 presents the association between the 4 screen time categories at age 1 year and each domain of developmental delay at ages 2 and 4 years through multivariable logistic regression (with <1 h/d as the reference). After adjusting for covariates, we observed an association between screen time at age 1 year and a higher risk of developmental delay at age 2 years in the communication (OR, 1.61 [95% CI, 1.23-2.10] for 1 to <2 h/d; 2.04 [1.52-2.74] for 2 to <4 h/d; 4.78 [3.24-7.06] for ≥4 vs <1 h/d), fine motor (1.74 [1.09-2.79] for ≥4 vs <1 h/d), problem-solving (1.40 [1.02-1.92] for 2 to <4 h/d; 2.67 [1.72-4.14] for ≥4 vs <1 h/d), and personal and social skills (2.10 [1.39-3.18] for ≥4 vs <1 h/d) domains. We also observed an association between screen time at age 1 year and developmental delay at age 4 years in the communication (OR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.20-2.25] for 2 to <4 h/d; 2.68 [1.68-4.27] for ≥4 vs <1 h/d) and problem-solving (1.91 [1.17-3.14] for ≥4 vs <1 h/d) domains.

We conducted a supplemental analysis that excluded 19 children whose parents self-reported that their child had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy by age 4 years as a factor in the association between screen time and developmental delay. We observed that the estimates did not show any meaningful departure from the main results.

The eTable in Supplement 1 presents the results of the complete case analysis. No significant difference in interpretation due to the use of multiple imputations was observed.

The findings of this study support previous research showing an association between screen time among young children and subsequent developmental outcomes. 7 - 18 These results also suggest that there was a dose-response association between longer screen time at age 1 year and developmental delays in communication and problem-solving at ages 2 and 4 years. In particular, more than 4 hours of screen time per day was associated with developmental delays in communication and problem-solving across ages 2 and 4 years.

The association observed between screen time and developmental delay among young children was domain specific. For example, the associations between screen time of children aged 1 year and the communication and problem-solving domains were consistent across ages, although no association was observed in the gross motor domain at ages 2 and 4 years. Sugiyama et al 7 examined the association between screen time at age 2 years and 3 domains (communication skills, daily living skills, and social skills) at age 4 years. They found that screen time was associated with poorer communication and daily living skills and was not associated with social skills. 7 In terms of domain-specific associations, their results are consistent with ours. Here, associations were consistently observed in the communication and problem-solving domains for children aged 2 and 4 years and not in the personal and social skills domain at age 4 years. In addition, a meta-analysis 12 reported an association between screen time and language development, and a cross-sectional study 8 examining the association between screen time and the 5 domains of the ASQ-3 found associations in the domains of communication, problem-solving, and personal and social skills. The results of these previous studies and our study suggested an association between screen time and communication and problem-solving domains in young children, while results for personal and social skills were inconsistent across studies. Based on 2 longitudinal time points of outcomes for each developmental domain, this study emphasized that screen time was not associated with all developmental domains.

We observed that screen time for children aged 1 year was associated with the fine motor and personal and social skills domains at age 2 years; however, this association was not confirmed at age 4 years. There are 2 possible hypotheses for this finding. One hypothesis is that the developmental delay of fine motor and personal and social skills for children aged 2 years caught up with them at age 4 years. Further follow-up studies would be needed to verify whether this phenomenon is specific to the fine motor and personal and social skills domains or whether the association is not confirmed with age even in the communication and problem-solving domains. Another hypothesis is that reverse causation occurs, in which a developmental delay of fine motor or personal and social skills lengthens screen time. Previous studies have examined the association between screen time and the personal and social skills domain; although a cross-sectional study reported an association, 8 a prospective study found no association. 7 Application of the reverse causality described earlier would explain why the association was confirmed in the cross-sectional study and not in the prospective study. However, our prospective study confirmed an association between screen time at age 1 year and developmental delay of personal and social skills at age 2 years. Although this phenomenon is unknown, applying the reverse causality hypothesis may explain the confirmed association at age 2 years in our study by assuming that developmental delay in the personal and social skills domain at age 1 year leads to longer screen time at age 1 year, and developmental delay in the personal-social domain at age 1 year is reflected in the developmental delay in that domain at age 2 years.

Although screen time has been associated with developmental delay, it may have an educational aspect depending on the programs watched on electronic devices. In fact, a meta-analysis showed that greater screen use was associated with decreased language skills, whereas screen time spent on educational programs was associated with increased language skills. 12 In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that high-quality (eg, educational) programs should be selected when introducing digital media to children aged 18 to 24 months. 2 Because it is difficult to limit screen time in general in today’s world of electronic devices, it may be beneficial to identify and limit the screen time aspects that are associated with developmental delays while taking advantage of the educational aspects.

This study has 2 strengths. First, developmental delay was measured using the ASQ-3, which has been validated worldwide and used in a variety of studies. 9 , 35 - 37 Although the ASQ-3 is not a diagnostic tool, it is an appropriate screening tool for examining developmental delays according to several developmental domains. Second, the analysis was conducted with one of the largest prospective cohorts of any study examining the association between screen time and child development outcomes.

A limitation is that the information we collected did not allow us to separate educational screen time from other types of screen time. Doing so may have helped us in examining the association between screen time and child development while considering both positive and negative aspects of screen time.

In this cohort study, greater screen time at age 1 year was associated in a dose-response manner with developmental delays in communication and problem-solving at ages 2 and 4 years. These findings suggest that domains of developmental delay should be considered separately in future discussions on screen time and child development.

Accepted for Publication: June 22, 2023.

Published Online: August 21, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.3057

Open Access: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC-BY License . © 2023 Takahashi I et al. JAMA Pediatrics .

Corresponding Author: Taku Obara, PhD, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8573, Japan ( [email protected] ).

Author Contributions: Mr Takahashi and Dr Obara had full access to all of the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Concept and design: Takahashi, Obara, Tsuchiya.

Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: All authors.

Drafting of the manuscript: Takahashi, Obara, Tsuchiya.

Critical review of the manuscript for important intellectual content: All authors.

Obtained funding: Obara, Kuriyama.

Administrative, technical, or material support: Takahashi, Obara, Kuriyama.

Supervision: Kuriyama.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Kuriyama reported receiving grants from the Japanese government during the conduct of the study. No other disclosures were reported.

Funding/Support: The Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation (TMM BirThree) Cohort Study was supported by grants JP17km0105001, JP21tm0124005, and JP19gk0110039 from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development.

Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The funder had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Data Sharing Statement: See Supplement 2 .

Additional Contributions: We thank the participants in the TMM BirThree Cohort Study and the staff members of the Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization. The list of members is available at https://www.megabank.tohoku.ac.jp/english/a220901/ .

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The Supreme Court Is Not Done Remaking America

Some of the rulings that came before the justices’ decision on presidential immunity could prove to have just as big an impact..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

From “The New York Times,” I’m Michael Barbaro. This is “The Daily.”

When the Supreme Court wrapped up its term last week, much of the focus was on the ruling that gave Donald Trump sweeping immunity from criminal prosecution. But as my colleague Adam Liptak explains, a set of rulings that generated far less attention could have just as big an impact on American government and society.

It’s Monday, July 8.

Adam, welcome back. It hasn’t been very long, but we want to talk to you about the rest of the Supreme Court’s decisions that happened over the past few weeks, the rest meaning the non-Trump decisions. There were a lot of other cases, many of which we covered on the show over the past year, but we haven’t yet talked about where the justices landed as they issued their rulings on these cases over the past few weeks. So I wonder if you can walk us through some of the bigger decisions and what, taken as a whole, this entire term really means. So where should we start?

Well, this term had so many major cases, Michael, on so many important issues touching all aspects of American politics and society, that it’s a little hard to know where to start. But I think one way to think about the term is to ask, how much is this a 6-3 court? There are six conservatives in the majority, the three liberal justices in dissent. Are we going to get that kind of classic lineup time after time after time?

And one way to start answering that question is to look at two areas which are kind of part of the court’s greatest hits, areas where they’ve done a lot of work in the last few terms — guns and abortion.

OK, let’s start with guns.

The court had two big guns cases. One of them involved the Second Amendment and broke 8 to 1 against Second Amendment rights. Only Justice Clarence Thomas, the most avid supporter of gun rights, was in dissent. So let me tell you just a little bit about this case.

There’s a federal law that says people subject to domestic violence restraining orders, it’s a crime for them to have guns. A guy named Zackey Rahimi was subject to such a domestic violence restraining order, but he goes to court and says, this law violates my Second Amendment rights. The Second Amendment protects me and allows me to have a gun even if I’m in this status.

And that goes to the Supreme Court. And the way the Supreme Court analyzes this question is it looks to a test that it established only a couple of years ago, in 2022, which said you judge the constitutionality of gun control laws using history. You kind of go back in time and you see whether the community and the founding era disarmed people in the same way that the current law disarms people.

And you might think that actually, back in the 1700s, there were no such things as domestic violence restraining orders. So you might think that the answer is, this contemporary law is unconstitutional. But Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for an eight-justice majority, says, no, that’s not quite right. We’re going to kind of roll back the specificity of the test and look at very general principles. Can you disarm dangerous people back then? And if you can do that, then you can disarm Rahimi, even under this law that the founding generation could not have contemplated.

That’s really interesting. So the court, its conservative majority especially, seems to be saying that our last big decision made it too hard to regulate guns. We need to fix that. So we’re going to search really hard for a way to make sure that somebody with a restraining order for domestic abuse can’t legally have a gun.

Right. On the other hand, there was a second guns case, not involving the Second Amendment, but posing an important issue. The question in the case was whether the Trump administration was allowed to enact a gun control regulation in 2017 after the Las Vegas shooting in which, at an outdoor music festival, a gunman killed 58 people, wounded 500 more.

And the Trump administration, prompted by this massacre, they issue a regulation that tries to outlaw bump stocks. What are bump stocks? They’re devices that turn semi-automatic weapons into weapons that can fire at rates approaching a machine gun. And drawing on the authority of a 1934 law which bans, for the most part, civilian ownership of machine guns, it said bump stocks are basically the same thing, and we will, by regulation, outlaw them.

And the question for the court was, did the 1934 law authorize that? And here — and this is a typical split on this kind of stuff — the majority, the conservative majority, takes a textualist approach. It bears down on the particular words of the statute. And Justice Thomas looks at the words that Congress said a machine gun is one where a single function of the trigger causes all of these bullets to fly. And a bump stock, he said, is not precisely that. Therefore, we’re going to strike down this regulation.

So how do you reconcile these two divergent gun rulings, one where the court works really hard to allow for gun restrictions in the case of domestic abusers, and another where they seem to have no compunction about allowing for a bump stock that I think most of us, practically speaking, understand as making a semiautomatic weapon automatic in the real world?

I think the court draws a real distinction between two kinds of cases. One is about interpreting the Constitution, interpreting the Second Amendment. And in that area, it is plowing new ground. It has issued maybe four major Second Amendment cases, and it’s trying to figure out how that works and what the limits are. And the Rahimi case shows you that they’re still finding their way. They’re trying to find the right balance in that constitutional realm where they are the last word.

The bump stocks case doesn’t involve the Constitution. It involves an interpretation of a statute enacted by Congress. And the majority, in those kinds of cases, tends to read statutes narrowly. And they would say that that’s acceptable because unlike in a constitutional case, if it’s about a congressional statute, Congress can go back and fix it. Congress can say whatever it likes.

Justice Samuel Alito said, in the bump stocks case, this massacre was terrible, and it’s a pity Congress didn’t act. But if Congress doesn’t act, a regulator can’t step in and do what Congress didn’t do.

That’s interesting, because it suggests a surprising level of open-mindedness among even the court’s most conservative justices to an interpretation of the Constitution that may allow for a greater level of gun regulation than perhaps we think of them as being interested in.

Yeah. When we’re talking about the Constitution, they do seem more open to regulating guns than you might have thought.

OK. You also mentioned, Adam, abortion. Let’s talk about those decisions from this court.

So the Court, in 2022, as everyone knows, overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminated the constitutional right to abortion. But in two cases this term, they effectively enhanced the availability of abortion.

One of them involves emergency rooms. There’s a federal statute that says that emergency rooms that receive federal money have to treat patients and give them stabilizing care if they arrive in the emergency room. That seems to conflict with a strict Idaho law that prohibits abortions except to save the life of the mother.

The court agrees to hear the case, it hears arguments, and then it dismisses the case. It dismisses it as improvidently granted, which is judicial speak for “never mind.” But it’s very tentative. The court merely dismissed the case. It said it was too early to hear it. They’re going to look at it later. So it’s a very tentative sliver of a victory for abortion rights.

But nonetheless, the effect of this is to suspend the Idaho law, at least to the extent it conflicts with the federal law. And it lets emergency abortions continue. Women in Idaho have more access to emergency abortions as a consequence of this decision than if the court had gone the other way.

And of course, the other abortion case centered on the abortion pill, mifepristone.

Right. And that pill is used in a majority of abortions. And the availability of that pill is crucial to what remains of abortion rights in the United States. Lower courts had said that the Food and Drug Administration exceeded its authority in approving these abortion pills. And the case comes to the Supreme Court.

And here, again, they rule in favor of abortion rights. They maintain the availability of these pills, but they do so, again, in a kind of technical way that does not assure that the pills will forever remain available. What the court says, merely — and unanimously — is that the particular plaintiffs who challenged the law, doctors and medical groups who oppose abortion, didn’t have standing, hadn’t suffered the sort of direct injury, that gave them the right to sue.

And it got rid of the case on standing grounds. But that’s not a permanent decision. Other people, other groups can sue, have sued. And the court didn’t decide whether the FDA approval was proper or not, only that the lawsuit couldn’t go forward. And here, too, this case is a victory for abortion rights, but maybe an ephemeral one, and may well return to the court, which has not given an indication of how it will turn out if they actually address the merits.

Got it. So this is a court, the one you’re describing in these rulings, acting with some nuance and some restraint?

Yeah, this picture is complicated.

This is not the court that we’re used to thinking about. There are a lot of crosscurrents. There are a lot of surprises. And that was true, in those cases, on big issues, on guns and abortion. But in another set of cases, the court moved aggressively to the right and really took on the very power and structure of the federal government.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

We’ll be right back.

So Adam, tell us about these cases where the court was less nuanced, less, perhaps, judicious, and really tried to move aggressively to the right and take on the power of government?

So it’s been a long-term goal of the conservative legal movement to weaken the power of regulators, of taking on what they call the administrative state. And this term, the court really vindicated that decades-old project primarily by overruling the foundational precedent in this area, a precedent that gave expert agencies the power to interpret federal laws and enact regulations to protect consumers, investors, all manner of people.

And the court overruled that decision called Chevron. It was as important as the court, two years ago, overruling the right to abortion, one year ago, overruling affirmative action in higher education. This decision will reshape the way the federal government does its work.

Right. And Adam, as I recall, because we did a whole episode about this with you, Chevron created a framework whereby if a law has any ambiguity about how it’s supposed to play out, that the experts within the federal government, within the EPA or the FDA, you name the agency, that we collectively defer to them and their wisdom, and that that becomes the basis for how these laws get interpreted and carried out.

That’s right. And if you think about it, Michael, Congress can’t anticipate every circumstance. Congress will, on purpose sometimes, and inevitably at other times, leave gaps in the law. And those gaps need to be filled by someone. And the choice that the Chevron decision made was to say, we’re going to let the expert regulator fill in those gaps. If there are ambiguities in statutes, the reasonable interpretation of the regulator will get deference from courts.

Experts, not judges, will decide this matter, is what Chevron said 40 years ago. And it’s really hard to overstate the consequences of overruling Chevron. It will open countless, countless regulations to judicial challenge. It may actually kind of swamp the courts. The courts have relied very heavily on Chevron to make difficult decisions about complicated stuff, questions about the environment, and food safety, and drugs, and securities, questions that really often require quite technical expertise.

So what was the court’s rationale for changing that Chevron framework that’s been in place for so long?

What the six-justice majority opinion written by Chief Justice Roberts says is that Chevron was a wrong turn from the outset, that unelected bureaucrats should not be empowered to say what the law means, that that’s the job of judges. So it moves from the expert agency to federal judges the determination of all sorts of important issues. And it probably has the effect of deregulating much of American society.

I mean, in the old world, the regulator had a thumb on the scale. The regulator’s interpretation of an ambiguous statute was the one that counted. And now, the judge will have a fresh look at it. That doesn’t mean that, in every case, the challenger wins, and in every case, the regulator loses. But it shifts the balance and it makes challenges more likely to succeed.

Where else did we see this instinct by the court to challenge the government’s authority in this term?

So right after the court overturns Chevron, it issues a second decision that really amplifies the power of that decision, because it says that challenges can be brought not only in the usual six-year statute of limitations from when a regulation is issued, but six years from when it first affects a company.

And bear with me, because that’s a big difference. If I start a company tomorrow, I have six years to sue over a regulation that affects it, even though that regulation may have been in place for 30 years. So it restarts the clock on challenges, and that one-two punch, both of them decided by 6-3 majorities, go even further in reshaping the ability of the federal government to regulate.

I just want to be sure I understand something. So in the past, let’s say the Clean Water Act was passed in the 1970s. Under the old statute of limitations, a company could sue and say that regulation is a problem for six years. But you’re saying a new company formed right now could go back and sue over something in a 30 - or 40-year-old law and how it’s being interpreted. In other words, this ruling means there really isn’t a statute of limitations on challenging these regulations any longer.

That’s right. And it’s not as though you can’t form a company just for the purpose of litigation. I mean, it completely opens up the ability of industries, trade groups just to set up a trivial nothing company that will then be said to be affected by the regulation and then can sue from now until the end of time.

And the liberal justices sure understood what was happening here, that this one-two punch, as Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote in dissent, was a catastrophe for regulators. She wrote, “At the end of a momentous term, this much is clear — that tsunami of lawsuits against agencies that the court’s holdings in this case have authorized has the potential to devastate the functioning of the federal government.”

It’s a pretty searing warning.

Yeah. I mean, talking about regulations and administrative law might put some people to sleep, but this is a really big deal, Michael. And as if those two cases were not a substantial enough attack on the federal government’s regulatory authority, the court also issues a third 6-3 decision undoing one of the main ways that regulators file enforcement actions against people who they say have violated the law.

They don’t always go to court. Sometimes, they go to administrative tribunals within the agency. The court says, no, that’s no good. Only courts can adjudicate these matters. So it’s just another instance of the court being consistently hostile to the administrative state.

Adam, all three of these decisions might sound pretty dangerous if you have a lot of confidence in the federal government and in the judgments of regulators and bureaucrats to interpret things. But if you’re one of the many Americans who doesn’t have a whole lot of faith in the federal government, I have to imagine all of these rulings might seem pretty constructive.

That’s an excellent point. Lots of people are skeptical of regulators, are skeptical of what they would call the deep state, of unelected bureaucrats, of even the idea of expertise. And so for those people, this is a step in the right direction. It’s taking power away from bureaucrats and handing it to what we would hope are independent, fair-minded judges.

What does seem clear, Adam, is that even though this episode was supposed to be about the rest of the Supreme Court’s rulings this year, the less sexy-sounding decisions than Trump and immunity and how much power and protection all future presidents have, the rulings that you’re describing around the government’s administrative power, they seem like they’re going to have the greatest long-term impact on how our government functions, and in a sense, what our society looks like.

Well, the biggest case of the term is obviously the Trump immunity case. That’s a decision for the ages. But close behind these decisions, reshaping the administrative state and vindicating a long-held goal of the conservative legal movement going back to the Reagan administration, that the Federalist Society, the conservative legal group, has been pushing for decades, and really unraveling a conception of what the federal government does that’s been in place since the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his New Deal.

So as much as we’ve been talking about other cases where the court was tentative, surprising, nuanced in the biggest cases of the term, all delivered by six to three votes, all controlled by the conservative supermajority, the court was not nuanced. It was straightforward, and it reshaped American government.

In the end, a hard right court is going to, no matter how much it might deviate, operate like a hard right court.

Yes, Michael. It’s possible to look at the balance of the decisions and draw all kinds of complicated conclusions about the court. But when you look at the biggest cases, the picture you see is a conservative court moving the law to the right.

Well, Adam, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

Thank you, Michael.

Here’s what else you need to know today. “The Times” reports that four senior Democratic house members have told colleagues that President Biden must step aside as the party’s nominee over fears that he is no longer capable of winning. They include the top Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee, the Armed Services Committee, and the Veterans Affairs Committee.

Those top Democrats joined five rank and file House Democrats who have publicly called for Biden to step down. The latest of those was representative Angie Craig of Minnesota, who represents a swing district in the state. In a statement, Craig said that after watching Biden in the first debate, quote, “I do not believe that the president can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump.” Senate Democrats remain largely quiet on the question of Biden’s future.

Now, you probably heard, I had a little debate last week. I can’t say it was my best performance.

In several appearances over the weekend, Biden acknowledged the growing skepticism of his candidacy —

Well, ever since then, there’s been a lot of speculation. What’s Joe going to do?

— but emphatically rejected the calls to step aside.

Well, let me say this clearly as I can. I’m staying in the race.

And in a surprise electoral upset, France’s political left was projected to win the largest number of seats in the National Assembly after the latest round of voting. The anti-immigrant far right had been expected to make history by winning the most seats, but a last-minute scramble by left wing parties averted that result.

Today’s episode was produced by Rikki Novetsky, Shannon Lin, and Rob Szypko. It was edited by Devon Taylor and Lisa Chow. Contains original music by Dan Powell and Sophia Lanman, and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow.

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When the Supreme Court wrapped up its term last week, much of the focus was on the ruling that gave former President Donald J. Trump sweeping immunity from criminal prosecution. But another set of rulings that generated less attention could have just as big an impact on American government and society.

Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court for The Times, explains.

On today’s episode

Adam Liptak , who covers the Supreme Court for The New York Times and writes Sidebar, a column on legal developments.

Background reading

In a volatile term, a fractured Supreme Court remade America .

Here’s a guide to the major Supreme Court decisions in 2024 .

In video: How a fractured Supreme Court ruled this term .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson, Nina Lassam and Nick Pitman.

Adam Liptak covers the Supreme Court and writes Sidebar, a column on legal developments. A graduate of Yale Law School, he practiced law for 14 years before joining The Times in 2002. More about Adam Liptak

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