NAMES ARE DIFFERENT, PURPOSE is ONE

Photo by Olav Ahrens Røtne on Unsplash

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Problem Solving......it has many names.....depends on who you talk to.

• Problem Solving
• Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Critical Problem Solving
• Complex Problem Solving
• Creative Problem Solving
• 8D Problem Solving
• A3 Problem Solving
• KT (Kepner Tregoe) Problem Solving
• Lean Problem Solving

What is common in the names above is the word Problem Solving itself. 
The question that may be asked, is there a difference in the terms ( or lets just call SYSTEM) above...My answer...A BIG NO. All the above system is programmed to do ONE Thing. That one thing is to bridge a gap in performance. Something becomes a problem when there is a gap between what was planned or expected and actual outcome. If there is no gap, then there is really no problem. PERIOD.
No matter which SYSTEM you choose, it all helps you to do what it was intended to do provided you follow the process in letter.How do people end up choosing the SYSTEM? 
The following is my guess....

• Japanese Automotive Related.......A3
• American Automotive........................8D
• Others pursuing lean..........Lean Problem Solving
• Googled.....................................KT/Creative/Complex and Etc.

If you are new to problem solving, where do you start? 
Start by studying and applying PDCA cycle. With good understanding of PDCA, you will notice that most of the system above is aligned to PDCA. And you will be able to better grasp the processes in the system.
Conclusion
All problem solving system is intended to help organizations to improve performance. Choose one system and become good at it and never discriminate other systems. Other systems may contribute additional ideas. BUT, start with PDCA. You will never go wrong.

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