Complex Problem Solving Skills for Industry 4.0

Complex Problem Solving- Skills To Shine in Industry 4.0

"Engineers Like to Solve Problems as its Chance to Give Their Best."

Do you face problems Every day?

Did you find a solution for that? If yes, then you are moving towards your success step by step. As in Industry 4.0 there will be connecting the physical world to the internet, the manpower having the mindset of solving technical as well as social problems will be in demand. 

World Economic Forum rated Complex Problem Solving as a main skill for future jobs. According to world Economic forum report problem solving is defined as capacity needed to solve new poorly defined problems in complex situations.  In future one third jobs in the market requires Complex Problem Solving as their main skill while recruitment of employees. But many students who pursuing education are not aware of the problem solving is one of the top rated skill for future jobs. To shine in the corporate market, you must be creative, innovative and problem solver.

Things to know for Complex Problem Solving

To solve any technical, corporate, industrial or social problem you must be aware of following things.

1. Sound Technical knowledge 

    Industry 4.0 is about to connect physical things to the internet, you must have very strong technical knowledge. Technical knowledge of your stream serves as the foundation for problem solving. According to the current scenario of industry you must have basic knowledge of all and master of your stream.

2. What is the Problem?

    Before solving, you must know what problem is actually? You must think "What is current situation" and "What shall be final Situation". The difference between this is called as your problem statement. For example, if you observed 'oil pump of hydraulic system is not working properly as it gets clogged' is current situation and 'Smooth working of oil pump so there is sufficient supply of oil' is final situation. 

3. Focus on Problem not on its symptoms.

    Always try to solve the problem from its root cause. While solving the problem does not focus on symptoms instead focus on the real root cause. For example, if any mechanical component not machined properly by operator so you may change a tool or may change the machine setting. But the real problem may be operator not fully trained to do that operation. So always try to focus on the real problem, not on symptoms.

Steps to Solve the Problem

1. Define the Problem

    The first step is to define the problem. It means giving a statement about what situation you want change or what condition exactly you want. Once you have found   problem give it a statement. for example, Pump stopped the coolant flow for machining operation.

2. Find Root cause of the Problem

    Once you given a statement to your problem now work to find its root cause. Here in above statement coolant flow stopped is symptoms not a cause. There must be something which causes the flow of coolant to stop. Many methods adopted to find root cause, but here we will discuss about "5 why" analysis method to find the root cause.

    5 Why Analysis 

It is a famous Japanese tool to find out the root cause of the problem. In this method we have to ask Why for 5 times to detect root cause. The answer of first step is itself a question in the next step. Ask continuously Why and get to the root cause. 

When you face problem do not start directly to ask questions. First, take some action to solve the problem, then ask Why questions. For Example, If the bike is not starting check for fault occurred. Like No petrol in tank or Spark plug shot or battery dead or any other reason. If you found a spark plug shot, then first change it and start the vehicle. Then start 5 Why to find root cause of Why spark plug shot?  Its technique to find the root cause not symptoms.

You will get the root cause of the problem generally in 5 times, but it’s not necessary all times. You may get the root cause after 3, times or may required to ask questions 8 to 10 times. Remember 5 is just a number. 

There are three parts in 5 Why analysis that 1. Why 2. Answer 3. Action.

3. Brainstorm alternatives   

    One of the most important stage of problem solving. Once you have found the root cause its time to brainstorm possible alternatives. This can be done in a team or individually. This stage requires skills like prediction, forecasting, creative and logical thinking. Once you point out number of alternatives compare all and analyse them. 

4. Choose Best 

    Choose the best solutions from the set of alternative solutions. While selecting best alternative keeps in mind that

 The Solution should be positive 

It should be easy to implement

It should create an impact

It should be cost effective.

5. Implement and Evaluate Solution 

    Once best solution selected, it must be implemented. After implementation, evaluate how fast your machine working. so you can evaluate the problem solved or not.

    

Simple Ways to Improve Problem Solving Skills for students

1. Work out your brain with logic puzzles and games. 

  Solve logical puzzles or games available on the internet. It will make your brain think and will make mental exercise.

2. change your mindset

    When you view the problem as a burden you try to avoid it. You have to change your mindset that solving problem is an opportunity to grow. So try to solve some simple and complex problems from your day to day life. 

3. Try to solve simple problems faced in day to day life in a logical manner. It will improve your skill. For example, in morning your bike does not start, then you think negatively like I will be late for college or office instead you can think why bike not started? and try to get to the root cause of the problem.

4. While studying get your concepts cleared it will improve your technical knowledge which is base of problem solving.

You will be always in demand when you think outside of the box and present new solution.  As a human being we are born  problem solver. Some people may be better than others, but every student who pursuing engineering must learn   this skill and continue to practice it.

“We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them”
                          ― Albert Einstein

Mr. Suraj Pangarkar
Lecturer

# This article written for Diploma Engineering students to aware them about Skills required to strive in Industry 4.0.

# Source- World Economic Forum Report