The Birkman: Preferred Work Styles

 

by The Wineinger Company

Management Styles

Management Scores

An important point to remember about the Management Scores is that Birkman does not measure skill or aptitude in any way. This means that a high score on a Management Style does not necessarily mean the person will be a good manager. The results only provide information about the style that will likely be seen by that individual.

Corporate Styles

Social Styles

Intellectual / Problem Solving Styles

The following pairs have scores that add to eleven. So, by definition, if an individual is high on one s/he will be low on the other.

Descriptions of Combinations of Thinking and Problem Solving Preferences

The following is a description of possible combinations of the intellectual/problem solving style scores.

Conceptual-Global

Individuals with high scores on Conceptual and Global are strategic thinkers and are often comfortable with ambiguity. They can be quite patient when reflecting on all of the possibilities – even those that have little chance of actually coming to fruition. Open to new ideas, they prefer to consider all facets of a problem or issue before taking action. Their problem solving approach would often be considered more intuitive than fact-based. They consider it their priority to make sure that the problem has been thoroughly identified and defined. Then they move to take action on solving the problem.

Conceptual-Linear

Individuals with high scores on both Conceptual and Linear will use their imagination to solve problems, yet their imaginative solutions will be pragmatic. They couple a desire to act quickly with an ability to be creative. Their creativity will have an underlying logic to it that they can explain fairly easily. Drawn to complex problems, they are confident enough in their abilities to start work without a clear-cut plan and make adjustments on the fly. Their creativity helps them solve problems quickly, but their tendency to plan on the run makes it difficult for others to follow their leaps of logic.

Concrete-Global

Individuals with high scores on Concrete and Global look to facts and logic to provide them a sense of comfort in their problem solving. Nevertheless, these individuals are ready to take on large problems. Their inclination is to think they can solve big, sweeping problems in a short time. These individuals are good planners who will work hard to make sure their plan is carried through. The plan will need to have practical goals and objective to meet one of the criteria important to this group of people. Often, the objectives will be expressed in a numerical fashion. Time spent on planning is seen as a wise investment. Concrete-Global people are inclined to test their plan more against its underlying logic than against reality.

Concrete-Linear

Individuals scoring high on both Concrete and Linear are practical and action-oriented. Their credo is “Give us the facts and get out of our way!” These individuals see the use of logic and hard analysis as valuable and necessary. On the other hand, they are impatient with the planning process and often question its value. They are at their best when the problem to be fixed can be readily analyzed and contain an element of urgency. Objective and pragmatic, these individuals are not drawn to problems just because they are problems. The problems need to have practical results if solved.

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Problem Solving Methods - Steps, Process, Examples

 

→ A Problem is an undesirable event or In other words, “Any Gap between what is expected and what is obtained”. 

→ Any effort to reduce this gap between what is expected and what is obtained is called “Problem-Solving”

What is the problem-solving approach?

→ The most important two things are related to all problems: 1. Goal and 2. Barriers

[1] Goal:

→ It can be anything that we want to achieve or we want to be.

→ Let's take one example to understand this thing. If I am hungry then my goal is to eat

something.

→ If I am the Managing Director of a company then my target is to increase profit this is the

main goal and further, it is subdivided into many sub-goals to achieve the main target.

[2] Barriers:

→ If there is no barrier to achieving the goal then it is not an issue. The barrier prevents the

achievement of the goal.

→ Let's take the above example to understand this thing. In the first case, my target is to eat

something but I have no food at my home so this is a barrier. To remove this barrier I have

to go to the shop or market to purchase some food hence this is solved.

→ In the second case, There are many barriers that prevent achieving the main goal to

increase profit. So after identify and remove the barrier we can achieve the target.

What is Problem Solving Skills? 

⇢ Creativity ⇢ Team Work

⇢ Risk Management (Risk Based Thinking) 

⇢ Decision Making 

⇢ Active listening 

⇢ Communication 

What are the 5 steps in problem-solving methods?

 

1. Identify 

2. Analyze 

3. Find out the Solution 

4. Implement the Solution 

5. Monitoring, Analysis, and Evaluation of Solution 

Types of Problem Solving: 

1. Correction 

2. Corrective Action 

3. Prevention 

4. Preventive Action 

[1] Correction: 

→ In a simple word "Correction is like first-aid," Correction is the instant action that is taken to correct the nonconformity or to reduce the impact of nonconformity.

[2]. Corrective Action: 

→ Corrective actions are steps that are taken to remove the causes of an existing nonconformity or undesirable situation or event. 

[3]. Prevention: 

→ Prevention is to eliminate the causes of potential nonconformities or potential situations that are responsible for an undesirable situation or event. 

[4]. Preventive Action: 

→ Preventive actions are steps that are taken to remove the causes of potential nonconformities or potential situations that are undesirable. 

Problem Solving Methods: 

1. PDCA - Cycle 

2. DMAIC Method 

3. 8D Method 

4. A3 Method

[1] PDCA - Cycle: 

→ PDCA (plan-do-check-act) cycle is also called the Deming Cycle or Deming Wheel. 

→ While PDSA (plan–do–study–act) is called the Shewhart Cycle. 

→ PDCA (plan-do-check-act) is a repetitive four-stage model for Continuous Improvement in business or process management. 

→ PDCA Cycle is implemented within: 

   ⇢ Product Lifecycle Management, 

   ⇢ Project Management, 

   ⇢ Human Resource Management (HRM), 

   ⇢ Supply Chain Management (SCM) and many other areas of business.

→ PDCA Cycle refers to : 

  ⇢ P = Plan = Make Plan for any Project 

  ⇢ D = Do = Carry out the Plan 

  ⇢ C = Check = Summarize the Result 

  ⇢ A = Act = Determine what changes are to be made 

[2] DMAIC Method: 

→ DMAIC Methodology is a quality strategy used to improve processes. 

→ In general, DMAIC can be implemented as a standalone Quality Improvement procedure or as part of other process improvements. 

→ It is an integral part of a Six Sigma Initiative.

 

→ DMAIC Methodology refers to : 

⇢ D = Define 

⇢ M = Measure 

⇢ A = Analyse 

⇢ I = Improve 

⇢ C = Control 

[3] 8D Method: 

→ 8D Methodology is widely used by Ford Motors and its suppliers. 

→ This methodology was developed by ford motors and widely used by many manufacturing industries.

→ Eight Steps or 8 Disciplines of 8D Methodology are mentioned below. 

1. Create a Team & Collect Information 

2. Describe the_Problem 

3. Interim Containment Actions 

4. Root Cause Analysis 

5. Define the possible corrective actions 

6. Implement corrective actions 

7. Define actions to avoid recurrence 

8. Congratulate the Team 

[4] A3 Method: 

→ It is widely used by Toyota Motors and its suppliers. 

→ Eight Steps of the A3 Methodology are mentioned below. 

   1. Clarify the issue 

   2. Break down the issue 

   3. Set the Target 

   4. Analyze the root cause 

   5. Develop countermeasure 

   6. See Countermeasure 

   7. Evaluate results & Processes 

   8. Standardize Success 

Comparison of Various Methods:

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Opportunity Solution Tree Template

 

About the Opportunity Solution Tree template

The Opportunity Solution Tree template helps product teams to improve the way they solve problems and reach their desired outcomes. Designed by Teresa Torres, a product discovery coach, this tree aims to methodically move teams through the steps needed to reach a final solution. Teresa Torres's opportunity solution tree breaks down a desired outcome into opportunities for the product to meet user needs and then suggests potential solutions to meet these needs.

Why use an opportunity solution tree?

Product teams may find this template useful if they are able to produce a lot of ideas, but can’t prioritize which ideas are actually of quality. An opportunity solution tree is a tool that product teams can use to assess if they are considering all potential solutions to reach their desired end. It then provides clear solutions at the end of the exercise that can be compared and contrasted for most value.  

What is an opportunity in the opportunity solution tree?

Brainstorms tend to lead to a lot of solutions off the bat without any clear logic to whether the solution is a valuable one. Opportunities are a way for product teams to add in the layer of customer needs in order to better connect solutions to what will really help a user. By adding in the step of identifying opportunities, the ideas your team generates will be based on identified needs rather than an arbitrary solution. 

What is product discovery?

Product discovery is a framework to help teams create useful, usable products that don’t overlook true user need. Using the Opportunity Solution Tree template is one way to start improving your product discovery.

How do I build an Opportunity Solution Tree?

Step 1: Define your outcome or measurable result

Simply put, what does success look like? If you use OKRs, then you can use one of your Key Results to answer this question. If you don’t, then you’ll need to pick a metric that you’d like to improve. Of course, many teams are striving to achieve many goals each quarter, but it helps to create a separate tree for each goal.

It’s important for your team to agree on this goal before you proceed to the next step. If you’re misaligned from the beginning, then it’s going to be harder to build the rest of the tree.

Step 2: Identify possible opportunities

For goal-oriented people, the temptation to jump from “problem” to “solution” is sizable. But resist that temptation. Instead, it’s time to pause and do some research.

Building an Opportunity Solution Tree is all about identifying key opportunities in your market. That means learning: about customers, about what they need, about the problems that they are trying to solve. Focus on answering these questions before you fill out this portion of the tree. 

Armed with insights about your customers, you can begin to find opportunities. Use your research to fill out this second branch of the tree. Don’t be fooled: although this branch isn’t about your solutions, it’s still vitally important. Each branch of the tree builds on the previous, so if your research isn’t robust, your opportunities and solutions won’t be robust either.

Step 3: Generate solutions

Now it’s time to think of solutions. This is where the Opportunity Solution Tree template really comes to life for your team. When you go around the room to share ideas during a meeting, myriad dynamics are in play. People might be more or less likely to share based on their rank, role, or who’s in the room. The Opportunity Solutions Tree is an unbiased, agreed-upon source of truth that everyone can own and contribute to.

Invite cross-functional partners to contribute to this part of the tree. Let the ideas flow! However, be wary of including anything that doesn’t fit in the tree. It’s important to stay focused so you don’t end up with more ideas than resources. Write down those extraneous ideas and save them for later. If your team gets lost or stuck, return to the tree to ground you.

Step 4: Iterate and experiment

Choose one solution and once you have some ideas, you can start testing them out. Build a row on the tree specifically for experiments. Start brainstorming experiments that will enable you to test the chosen solution.

FAQ about the Opportunity Solution Tree template

How do you use a solution tree?

The opportunity solution tree helps you to visualize the best path to your desired outcome. Use the solution tree to map out the possible opportunities to solve your problem and keep track of the actionable experiments that will lead to your desired outcome.

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Problem Solving. Part 2

•  Excel Power

• Market Analysis

• Financila Analysis and Accounting

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Problem Solving. Part 1

Structured problem solving - using the 7 step methology

•  Conducting analysis

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