SOLVING A CASE/PROBLEM WITH THE 7 STEP-FRAMEWORK

As a consultant who has been hired to solve an organization’s problem, what do you think is the first step to take? As an individual who has a challenge/problem to solve in your personal life, what do you think is the best way to do that? 

This blog post provides all the necessary details you need to answer such questions.
I attended ‘eeeBoosted’ where a lecture was given by yours truly ‘180 DC Lund’ on how a case can be solved. The lecture was tagged ‘How To Crack A Case’.

I never had the intention of writing a blog post on this, however, the lecture was so educative that I thought this should also be shared with a wider audience. It was very interesting and educative, I for one, have more understanding of how cases should be solved. The interesting part of it is that these steps apply to consulting cases but are not limited to that. They can as well be adopted in another context as long as you design them to fit well within that context. So in all, it is much more useful for all and sundry.

​This post will give a short but detailed explanation of these 7 Step-Framework for cracking/solving a case. Let me start with a definition of framework. 

What is a framework? In very simple terms, a framework consists of a particular set of ideas, rules, or tools that provides guidelines and processes for dealing with a problem and proffering solutions. 
At 180 DC Lund, we have a 7 Step-Framework we use as a foundation for solving problems and these steps are:

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These 7 steps as shown in the diagram above starts with problem definition and then goes on to end with developing recommendation.

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Having a structure for the problem helps in breaking the problem into small achievable bits. Problems can also be solved without breaking them down, however, every consultant will agree with me that breaking the problem down into bits will make it easier and faster to solve. It will furthermore help sharpen your focus on the problem and possible solutions.

Why is this framework important?
In solving problems, we sometimes mix the whole thing up and proffer the wrong solutions when we are not certain of what the exact problem is. What do we make of solutions that do not address the problem it should solve?

This framework will help guide you in defining the problem as this makes it easier for you to tackle the problem head-on. The problem and how you define it should be Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Relevant and Time-related (SMART).

It prevents you from misinterpreting the problem you are to solve or the client you are working for. It is imperative you confirm the problem and other details with the client before and all through the 7 steps when there is a need for it. Never center your information and work process on assumptions as they can be right as well as wrong. 
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It helps reduce the complexity and ambiguity of what you want to solve and as well prioritize the problems (in a situation where you have more than one problem to solve) since it is very difficult and almost impossible to solve all problems at the same time.

How can it be applied?
The 7 Step-Framework is mainly for consultants to use in solving cases presented to them by organizations, companies, and other institutions. However, I want to give you this tip, you can as well adopt it to solve problems in other contexts as long as it works. 

A big thanks to our consultants for the great lecture given at eeeBoosted on this 7 Step-Framework for Case Solving. If you want to know more about eeeBoosted, check them out here http://eee.lundaekonomerna.se/eeeboosted/ 

I really don’t want to bore you with a long post so I have to end this right here, but I sure hope you got two or more helpful tips from this. 

TITILOPE OLADIRAN

Master student in Media and Communication at Lund University. The author holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication Studies from the University of Ilorin. Titilope is an Editorial Director at 180 Degrees Consulting Lund.