Has anyone else noticed a deterioration of Problem Solving skills within the military?

2016-06-03T03:05:33-04:00

I see two categories forming. One group which finds problems but never brings a solution to the table, and on the other side a group which finds Solutions to given problems but never actually addresses the problem.

Is it worse the find a solution to a problem and leave it alone after that accomplishment feels like enough or to identify a problem and do nothing about it?

What are some approaches to create a symbiotic relationship between Problem Solvers and those at the source identifying issues.

Each Service Member or Civilian has the ability to address problems within their control but how to we increase communication to fix problems spanning multiple lanes.

The irony is not lost on me that I am addressing a problem without presenting a valid solution. But I am hoping that the RallyPoint community can help me out.

P.S. Creating an LPD Class on Problem Solving and communication techniques. Hoping this will help me to incorporate some creative ideas.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 4:15 AM

2016-06-03T04:15:06-04:00

I think the trend towards micromanagement serves as the chief disincentive to innovation. I often say we have to give people freedom to fail AND the opportunity to succeed. With the current crop, I find it necessary to explain the what and why...and then try to sit on my hands and them find the how.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 3 at 2016 6:49 AM

2016-06-03T06:49:59-04:00

Sir,
I'll counter with a follow-on question. Do we "incentivize" problem-solving skills? Or would you say it's more accurate that we reward other skill sets more than that particular skillset?

This is a subject that I have long argued, however, when I point out what "I believe" is the root cause, it becomes a sacred cow issue.

CC MAJ Private RallyPoint Member

Edit: Removed a word

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 10:21 AM

2016-06-03T10:21:37-04:00

This is the core of why I left TPU-land and went into the IRR as of 1 January of this year. I'm a Chief Warrant Officer, and therefore a problem solver in my field. If you won't allow me to solve problems, you don't need me.

One of my now-former unit's "missions" for lack of a better word was this: You get a range of numbers from the mission coordinator. You go to a SharePoint site within DISA. You check list A for that number and take down all the information you find there, including a short service name. You check list B for that short service name and take down all the information you find there. You then fill all that information into a Word template that's provided, go to Folder List A, and look for the short service name. If a folder is not there with that name, create it, drop the Word document in there, and do a search within DISA's web site for a certain subset of documents relating to that short service name.

Except for the document search, EVERYTHING can be automated. You can have a special page to enter your range, and have it do this automatically, and then only have to do the document searches...that would increase productivity exponentially.

When I tried to push to make this happen, the detachment commander said "That's not our job". I'm sorry, but I'm a Chief Warrant Officer in the Signal Corps, I'm not a damn clerk typist.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jun 3 at 2016 10:45 AM

2016-06-03T10:45:05-04:00

I would guess that a portion of the problem solving issues you are currently seeing relates to the draw downs and people not wanting to stand out and get their career cut out from under them. It could also be another sign of our fractured (I would call it a two level) education system. We have a International Baccalaureate/College Prep track and a babysitter track. Gone are days of teaching kids productive skills like woodworking, welding, mechanical drawing, and auto shop. All of which required highly developed problem solving and reasoning skills. A fair portion of society would no longer even dream of trying to fix things on their own when they break. It's either throw it away and get a new one or bring in an "expert" to fix it.

I've also noticed that quite a few of my neighbors (many of whom are active duty airmen and soldiers) can't figure out how to start a lawnmower, pick weeds, use the turn signals on their cars, and pick-up the trash, that they themselves, just dropped on the ground. But that's whole other social issue.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 9:55 PM

2016-06-03T21:55:09-04:00

When standards are lower to get in, when ASVAB results are ignored, when promotions are based upon just about everything BUT knowledge and capability...well, you buy K-Mart, you get K-Mart. This issue is not new, and neither is it limited to any one branch.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2016 1:25 PM

2016-06-11T13:25:59-04:00

Lean Six Sigma and other problem solving methods are attempting to make people think. The Air Force has embraced AFSO, which includes 8 specific steps to solve problems. Also it's natural with rank to believe in your intuition, after all 30 years of experience should have encountered similar problems.

The fact is that would be narrow minded and it's critical to bring together a cross functional team (5 to 9 people) to define problem, measure current state, analyze potential solutions, implement countermeasures and finally sustain the improvement through control phase.

Most importantly is engagement of the civilians or Armed Service members on the front lines. Far to often I witness Arm chair leaders, who think they know the solutions after 10 minutes of executive discussion. That is a losing proposition!

So learn a proven problem solving ideology, engage the masses and solve problems.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 17 at 2019 7:22 PM

2019-02-17T19:22:05-05:00

The military has some amazing training on problem solving. I fact they have a developmental strategy that evolves form program to program. The problem I would argue has more to do with the application of problem solving tools/models. Recreating the wheel is not the issue, it is ensuring that leaders check the tire pressure now and again ensuring that what we are taught is applied. Thank you for your service.