Problem Solving, Barriers to

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A problem within a workplace will have a solution. Arriving at the solution might be easy or it might encounter one or more significant barriers from an individual or team which need to be overcome. Some of the typical barriers which a manager may need to consider before the situation arises are:
• Change resistance or Mental set: People will often carry on as before and have a preconceived way of doing things. Change, which is often required to solve a problem will often be resisted, especially in the first instance and even more so where the need for change has not be effectively communicated.
• Emotional state: depending on the emotions of an individual at the time of trying to address a problem, the ease with which it may be solved can vary significantly.
• Prior belief or Confirmation bias: If a way of carrying out a work activity has previously been successful then the belief may be that this is still the best way even though another approach may prove more beneficial.
• Unwanted and irrelevant information: getting immersed and overwhelmed with lots of data will swamp out the relevant information needed to solve a problem. Going off on a tangent and becoming distracted by information that has little value to the problem at hand.
• Environmental surroundings: Some environments can be more welcoming and inviting than others in being able to consider and solve problems. Creating a conducive atmosphere and environment can help facilitate the solving of problems.
• Preventative boundaries or Unnecessary constraints: This limits the opportunity to consider solutions outside of the norm and prevents thinking outside of the box.
• Limited capability and creativity or Functional fixedness: The individual may have a limited view of the capabilities of something, assuming the item has one or a limited purpose: Their creative ideas are limited. This approach can result in individuals being very focused on the task in hand but within imagining other possibilities for an item and therefore restricts opportunities to improve working practices.