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
