Blog Post #78 - Bright Spot Analysis - Solution Based Problem Solving

The book that I am immersed currently is Switch -Chip Heath, Dan Heath
and the other book Decisive from the same author talks about this concept.

What is the big idea?

From highland.gov

The Basic Assumptions of a Solution Focused Approach.

• It is not necessary to emphasize and explore the causes of problems in order to develop solutions.
• There are always exceptions to the problem – times when things are better.
• A small change can lead to bigger changes. 
• Everyone has skills and competencies, and can contribute – all views are of equal value.
• Once you know what works – do more of it.

When you want to complain about something not working look for what is already working in your system.

If you are a project manager and people are not submitting timesheets on time check why the other people are submitting timesheet on time. 
Why does someone who never submits timesheet on time starts submitting early on some weeks?

For a given problem - you can zoom out and look to other people or systems where it works or look inside your own system where it might be working from time to time on specific days for specific people!

When you want to solve a problem you need to answer the miracle question.

Before I talk about miracle question I want to paraphrase Prof Srikumar Rao and his derived philospohy of you must be happy all the time.
Here is the question

What do you need to be happy?


Money or Title or children or spouse? 
Once you get that x (x is always the unknown) and when x is taken away you must be sad!!!

You get money = happy
you lose money = unhappy

It is tricky to associate your happiness to the external factor which can be given and taken at will(Not sure whose will? - God?)

Solution based problem solving has 2 components

1. Since nobody is perfect and no situation is perfect there will be bright spots 
2. Answer the miracle question - Assume you sleep and a miracle happens and the problem is gone. What are some signs that will tell you it is solved?

Let's solve a problem using this framework

My son never eats and your daughter never does her homework( implying my son studies well and your daughter is eating all the time- ha ha!) 

Does my son ever eat by himself? 
Does your daughter ever do her homework? 

Being imperfect means - when complaining about your spouse,your work or even your own workout or eating habits 
you might notice bright spots on - times your spouse is nice, your boss is fine and you workout atleast 3 times a week or eat healthy.

This puts history to rest - even though I like talking/reading history sometimes you need to ignore history otherwise it will repeat itself!!

This helps find the bright spots and we need to shine out spotlight on them!

So what was different on that day when your daughter did her home work well? 
What can you do to repeat this? 
Do you see a pattern ?

Now to miracle! I like them and so should you!!

At 1:30am when tooth fairy walked and gave $1.25 for my son's tooth and you were sleeping your problem was solved - the miracle happened.

What are some of the signs you will observe that will show things have changed?

Start looking for these signs and this helps catching up with positive things than negative things.

Try it.

If you have become a health freak by tomorrow morning the signs might be - you will eat that apple,put down the donought and smile happily!

Have you allowed the miracle to happen yet?

Keep Learning
Sivakumar Manikanteswaran