Who is involved?

Whenever there is a perception that people should be doing something better a first reaction is to think that the people involved will have to learn something. Hwever, this is not always the case: performance is influenced by a number of factors, not all of which are influenced by learning.

There are several different techniques you can use to find solutions to performance problems. You can use these techniques individually or collectively to find solutions. Each of them has its advantages, and you will find which method works best for you by practice.

Brainstorming

This is a simple and familiar process for potentially generating a large number of potential solutions of varying practicability.

It has the benefit of needing the involvement of a number of people, helping with gaining acceptance by the target groups, but can be unpredictable and being unsystematic can leave gaps.

There are guidelines for brainstorming that can improve its effectiveness.

Multiple cause diagrams

Multiple cause diagrams start with a statement of the problem in the middle of a sheet of paper and grow by the analyst asking "Why?" questions over and over, building up a chain of cause and effect.

The performance flowchart

Based on the work of Mager and Pipe, this is a flowchart that systematically leads you through questions that identify the causes(s) of inadequate performance.

Soft systems methodology

This is a process that helps you to define activities going on as a systematic process. From this you can consider inputs, outputs and changes happening so that you can identify problems.

What is desired performance?

Planning the overall design