coming up with solutions to solve a problem

Stuck on a tough issue? Master the art of coming up with solutions to solve a problem with our 7-step framework. Learn proven techniques like SCAMPER and how to use AI to brainstorm better ideas, faster.

Key Takeaways

Reframe issues early to uncover roots five times faster than guessing.
Blend AI with human judgment to slash ideation time by 40 percent.
Track one simple metric upfront to dodge over half of failed fixes.

What Is Problem-Solving? Core Definition

The challenge of coming up with solutions to solve a problem hits everyone. You spot a gap—current reality versus your goal—and close it with clear steps. It blends sharp thinking, bold ideas, and firm choices. This plays out in fixing team rifts, tightening budgets, or dodging roadblocks.

At its core, it means questioning habits and running quick tests. Strong solvers gather facts, welcome new angles, and grow from each round. The result? Fewer headaches and more breakthroughs.

Why Most People Get Stuck Early

People freeze before the first move. A small rut or wrong lens turns a simple fix into a grind.

Mental Sets & Functional Fixedness

Your brain sticks to old paths like glue. It skips swaps, such as using a hairpin to reset a gadget. This “functional fixedness” hides easy wins.

Cognitive studies show it blocks fresh uses of everyday items. Loosen it: Look around and list three odd jobs for a paperclip. That stretch opens doors.

Analysis Paralysis Trap

Too many paths lead to none. You spin on ifs until time runs out. Organizational research finds most workers lock up when pressure peaks.

Break free: Set a 10-minute clock. Grab one action or top pick. Motion trumps waiting.

The Blame vs. Ownership Mindset

Finger-pointing saps power and slows teams. Winners focus on their own controls. This shift sparks faster, cleaner paths.

Actionable Exercise: The Circle of Influence

Draw two nested circles on paper.
Inner (Influence): List what you shape—your work, words, tests.
Outer (Concern): Note worries outside your grip, like trends or moods.

Pour effort inward. Ideas flow clearer.

7-Step Framework to Generate Solutions

This roadmap handles any hurdle, big or small. Treat it as your go-to guide for coming up with solutions.

Name the true issue – One crisp line, past the surface.
Dig with five whys – Layer questions to the root.
Map empathy – Note what others see, feel, say, do.
List ten raw ideas – Volume first, polish later.
Tap AI for angles – Feed for patterns or flips.
Test micro – One hour or dollar max.
Review and refine – Keep hits, drop flops.

A sales crew used step two on a 30 percent drop. Whys exposed bad leads, not weak reps. A data scrub turned it around.

Your Core Toolkit for Coming Up with Solutions (The Ideation Engine)

Generating options is the heartbeat of problem-solving. Skip random scribbles. Combine proven methods into a system that breaks blocks and builds volume. This engine turns “stuck” into a stack of choices.

The Dynamic Duo: SCAMPER & AI Fastest route to fresh ideas? Pair SCAMPER’s prompts with AI’s speed.

Choose a SCAMPER verb—like “Combine” or “Adapt.”
Prompt AI: “Using ‘Combine’ from SCAMPER, list 10 ways to merge our weekly status email with project tools for better flow.”
Scan output, pick three, discuss as a team.

This duo crushes fixed views and halves brainstorm time. Use it when improving what exists.

For Group Knots: Six Thinking Hats Teams tangle in debates? Edward de Bono’s hats force full views. “Many highly intelligent people… use their thinking only to support their prejudices,” he noted. Hats prevent that.

When: Arguments, idea reviews, risk checks.
Try: “Yellow Hat only—five minutes on upsides.”

Root Hunter: Five Whys Right solutions need right problems. Whys strip symptoms.

When: Repeat issues or vague starts, like “sales lag.”
Tip: Stop at process gaps, not people.

Specialized Picks

TRIZ: Tech trade-offs; ask “What clash holds us?”
Backcasting: Future visions; trace steps backward.

Mix as needed. The engine runs on your pick.

How AI Boosts Solution Generation

AI tackles the heavy lift in coming up with solutions. It scans links and spins twists fast.

When stuck, prompt smart: “Act as a supply expert. List top five causes for shipment delays in mid-size retail, plus one fix each.” Pick and probe. A 2025 study shows human-AI pairs hit ideas 40 percent quicker.

Keep control: Check facts, skip secrets. Public tools lack locks. Use output to spark, not settle.

Real-World Case Studies

Results speak loudest. These show the engine firing.

Tech Startup’s Bug Hunt Situation: App crashes stole debug weeks. Application: Steps 1-3 pinned bad APIs. Ideation Engine (SCAMPER + AI) spat 12 patches. Micro-test picked the fix. Result: 80 percent drop in errors, 20 percent faster loads.

Remote Marketing Clash Situation: Ad team split on voice, delaying launch. Application: Empathy maps surfaced quiet voices. Six Hats aired sides. Quick tone polls tested. Result: Unity fast; lead conversions up 25 percent.

Auto Parts Factory Slump Situation: Night shift in Michigan plant cut widget output 15 percent. Application: Backcasting traced tired breaks. Five Whys confirmed overlaps. Trial rotation tested. Result: Full lines back, overtime down 12 percent.

Frame plus engine equals repeat wins.

How to Measure Solution Success

Guesswork fails. Set markers early.

Pick one to three: “Focus minutes hourly” or “Weekly leads.”

Score with RICE: Reach x Impact x Confidence / Effort. Highs go first. Decision studies show over half flop without early gauges.

Build Problem-Solving Habits Daily

Skill builds in small doses.

Mornings: Five-minute “what if” on one itch. Jot three zaps.

Fridays: Retro trio—wins, flops, next.

Weekly: Teach a trick. It sticks for you.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Sidestep these drags.

Skip roots for quick patches. Whys every time.

Ignore vibes for silent pushback. Check feels soon.

Miss ground-level input. Frontline sees shortcuts.

End at one test. Plan tweaks pre-launch.

The power to start coming up with solutions to solve a problem grows with use. Grab your toughest snag, fire the Ideation Engine with SCAMPER plus AI. Note the root, test tiny, track one number. Your next win starts now.

What are the 7 steps in Problem-Solving?

Spot core gap, drill whys, map views, ideate wild, AI angles, micro-test, refine data.

How do you come up with creative solutions?

SCAMPER flips or Hats shifts, AI for volume. “What if” over safe.

What blocks people from solving problems?

Ruts, loops, blame, root skips halt flow.

Can AI help solve complex problems?

Yes—prompts cut patterns 40 percent faster, vet always.

How do you measure if a solution works?

One metric upfront, daily log. Adjust stalls, cheer climbs.

What is functional fixedness?

Item locked to “normal,” miss hacks like band as holder.