Overview
This session provides participants with a constructive way to frame problems to gain greater insights and tools to facilitate generating greater quantity and quality of potential solutions.
Participants are encouraged to come to the session with real world problems they would like to solve or gain insights into.
Why you should Attend
Think of the last time you confronted a professional or personal problem that was gnarly. Did you have tools to help you clearly define the problem and generate possible solutions? What would it have been worth to you to find a few more viable options? What would it have been worth to you to identify your candidate solutions a little faster?
Areas Covered in the Session
- What is a "Problem" and what does it mean to "Solve" one? - Participants are shown new perspectives on problem solving and explore ways to augment natural creative ability
- Tools and tactics for problem definition/verification - Whether defining a "problem" or an "opportunity", problem solvers must understand fundamental parameters and assumptions about the situation. This section explores ways to quickly gather and document relevant information about the problem
- Tools and tactics for alternative generation - Introduces participants to 10 techniques for generating a wider range of solutions. These tools improve both the quality and quantity of alternatives available to the problem solver
Who Will Benefit
- Managers
- Executives
- Engineers
- Creatives
- Analysts and Administrators
Speaker Profile
Payson Hall is a former U.S. Army Ranger and consulting project manager for Catalysis Group, Inc. in Sacramento. Formally trained as a software engineer, Payson’s early career included software development, hardware/software system integration, and Independent Verification & Validation. As his career progressed, his role shifted to include increasing project management responsibilities, with a focus on technology projects.
Today Payson coaches project managers, teaches project management skills, consults, and performs project reviews in a variety of fields, including transportation, communication, software development, education, financial services, and healthcare.
Payson has consulted on projects in both the public and private sectors throughout North America and Europe during his 40-year career. He has published over 250 project management articles, developed numerous project management and problem-solving classes, written a book on project sponsorship, and is a sought-after conference speaker who specializes in demystifying project management topics and communicating important ideas while entertaining audiences.
Instructor
Payson Hall