When performing creative work, you need a dependable framework to gather, analyze, explore, and link ideas. The complex problems that arrive during this creative work should be solved systematically to ease your process.
One of the most common problem-solving approaches is to start with the linear note-taking method. Forming alliances linearly might be difficult as human cognizance works intuitively.
Mind mapping is a note-taking technique to form a map-like structure that helps you process your thoughts at each step. This article provides a broader view of the concept and how you can implement it to solve your problems.
Part 1: What is Problem-solving?
The ability to solve problems is at the heart of human development. Problem-solving is the process of devising ways to overcome an impediment to accomplishing a long-term objective. It is the foundation for lifelong learning, communication, and progress. New technologies, social and cultural progress, and market-driven economies are founded on problem resolution.
1.1 What is Problem-solving, and Why it is Important?
Problem-solving is a way to determine something wrong in the environment, explore the reasons behind that problem, find approaches that help improve or solve the problem, make decisions based on the guidelines, and explore how these changes may affect the environment and the situation in the long run.
In the journey to success, problem-solving becomes an essential skill. Problems or barriers arise often, and you must be able to respond quickly and creatively to them. Problem-solving ability is one of the most sought-after qualities by colleges and businesses since it involves both logical and creative thinking.
Part 2: What is Mind Mapping in Problem-solving?
Mind mapping is a tried-and-true strategy for getting over the mental clutter when an issue arises. Using a mind map to visualize your objectives, challenges, ideas, and potential action points can help you understand the broad picture and create connections between particular components that you would otherwise overlook.
2.1 The Benefits of Using A Mind Map to Solve A Problem
The mind mapping technology allows you to use different colors, figures, shapes, and scripts or writing styles while making a mind map. Through these, you can form connections between your thoughts or separate those that conflict.
Here are some of the prominent benefits of mind mapping:
- Mind mapping can help you identify effective solutions relatively fast.
- Mind mapping aids in the retention of knowledge.
- Collaboration is more successful when mind mapping is used.
- Mind mapping helps you be more productive.
2.2 How Do You Create A Mind Map for Problem-solving - GROW Model
The GROW (Grow, Reality, Options, Way forward) model is suitable for creating goals and solving problems. It was made in the UK and widely utilized in corporate coaching since the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The model follows a sequential process including four steps where the person passes the problem through each step and reflects the conclusions. The secret ingredient that makes this system effective is asking questions at each stage. Answers to these questions lead through a seamless path toward the solution.
The Grow Model can be applied to individuals, teams, or organizations/management. Whether an individual goal or a shared goal, the problem is sure to reach its solution in the best possible way with the Grow Model approach.
Please import this file into the PDNob Mind Map, then you can edit the content.
Download this ExampleDefine the Goal
According to experts, most people solve a problem with a specific objective. It is the most significant part of the process. When you see a particular situation, you may ask the following questions:
- What is the exact aim you are attempting to achieve?
- What do you expect the outcome to be?
For example, you have to manage your tasks at your job. The goal set by your boss is for you to complete 15 targets. You can label your goal as "To complete 15 targets in one month." Make your goals specific and to the point. If the goal is meaningful, you will quickly work towards achieving it.
The current reality
After you've set a goal, you should assess their existing situation. Accept the point you stand currently at and how far it is from your goal. You don't want to disregard any facts that might affect or limit your options. You may ask the following questions to explore the reality of your situation:
- How close are you to achieving your goal?
- Do you have the requisite talents, capital, and other resources to attain your goal?
For example, you know you have to complete 15 targets by the end of the month. The next step is to explore the situation, such as the targets you have already met or the days you have left to achieve your set goal.
What are the obstacles
Begin looking for possibilities once you've identified the reality. This is the step where you start to brainstorm to discover ways to achieve your goal. You can start with one option at a time and implement it to see what works best with your problem. You may ask yourself the following questions:
- What are the difficulties you are encountering？
- What might you do to solve the problems?
This step can become complex with all the creative ideas pitching in. You can use the PDNob Mind Map to make things simpler and organized.
For example, now that you are aware of your goal to reach 15 targets by the end of the month and the current position where you stand, you can start looking for ideas that will help you achieve each target faster and within time. Create a roadmap of your strategies like the one displayed above.
Plan the way forward.
After listing all possible solutions, ask them to choose a couple of the ones you believe are the best route ahead. Make sure you select the easily reachable and reasonable one’s for you. Ask yourself the following questions:
- How devoted are you to achieve your objective? (You can rate it on a scale of 10)
- What will be the point that determines you have reached your objective?
- What do you require in terms of people, resources, or anything else?
Continuing the above example, you should proceed with those strategies that you believe you can easily do and have a more significant probability of achieving the goal. For example, you planned to give the clients a visual presentation to achieve the targets.
Conclusion
Problems, whether bigger or smaller, are a part of life. To solve these efficiently, the problem-solving mind map technique is used. It helps transform the problem-solving process in a more elaborated and systematic way so that you can understand the thoughts and connections between them better.
The Grow Model makes the problem-solving process go through a four-step approach where each step simplifies the problem to help you achieve your objectives faster. Incorporating the Grow Model and the problem and solution map is an intelligent way toward problem-solving. It will also help you approach future problems in a more productive, efficient, quick, and effective manner.
A Pioneering Mind Map Tool
PDNob Mind Map
A full-featured mind mapping and brainstorming tool to help generate ideas visually.