Organisations are so dynamic nowadays; the modern manager is expected to be flexible and adaptable to whatever new situation arises. This means they need to possess the skills to handle any number of a wide variety of problems that are thrown at them.

Part of what separates a good manager from a great one is his or her ability to efficiently and effectively manage problems as and when they arise. This explains the upsurge in management training courses undertaken, as they equip the manager with tools and techniques to break down issues and solve them quickly.

It’s important to understand that all problems are simply indicators of something not happening as we’d like or expect. Finding or analysing the causes that have lead to this undesired outcome will make it much easier to rectify it. Ask yourself the five golden open words; Who, What, Where, How and When:

Who does this problem involve? Who is equipped with the greatest knowledge of its issues?

What actually is happening? What are the implications of it? What has changed to make this the case?

Where within or outside the organisation is this problem manifesting itself?

When does it happen?

How does it manifest itself? How does it happen?