How to Best Resolve Complex and Cross-Functional Problems?

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦-𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭. In a complicated environment, where cause and effect are linear, tools like Six Sigma, Lean, or the 5 WHYs help. Experts analyse the issue and take unilateral control to fix it—an engineering approach.

But in a 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, where factors are entangled and solutions are not straightforward, a different mindset is needed. Here, 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠—creating the right conditions, enabling collaboration, and applying a sense-and-respond approach with experiments, multiple perspectives, and mutual learning.

As a Six Sigma Black Belt, I realized that traditional problem-solving methods fail in complex environments. That’s why at HELIBLICK GmbH, we focus with our „𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭“ on a collaborative approach designed for cross-functional problem-solving.

Over the last two weeks, we have trained 100+ people across two companies using our HELIBLICK Solution Statement approach—one in an IBP transformation, the other at a global conference. The 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 were remarkable.

The approach follows three key steps:
🔍 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽?) – Focus on observations and facts, not opinions. Define scope clearly.
🧩 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞-𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝓢𝓸 𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽?) – Understand the impact on the organization, stakeholders, and teams and the functional and personal needs before jumping to solutions.
🎯 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝓝𝓸𝔀 𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽?) – Clarify accountability, define key actions, and ensure the right people are involved.

If you want to 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐚𝐲, let’s exchange insights and explore how HELIBLICK can support you!