Consulting Approach to Problem Solving

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/consulting-problem-solving

Introduction

### Course Review: Consulting Approach to Problem Solving on Coursera **Course Overview** The *Consulting Approach to Problem Solving* is the third course in the comprehensive specialization on management consulting offered by Coursera. It is designed for individuals seeking to enhance their problem-solving capabilities through the lens of consulting practices. This course delves deep into the methodologies that professional consultants employ to dissect complex business challenges and formulate effective strategies. It aims to equip learners with a systematic approach to problem-solving that they can apply in real-world scenarios. **Key Highlights** - **Structured Learning**: The course is structured around essential concepts such as problem definition, data analysis, and hypothesis testing, making it easy for participants to follow along and build their competencies progressively. - **Practical Applications**: The simulation of a consulting environment enables learners to engage with the material in a manner that mirrors actual consulting scenarios. - **Expert Instruction**: The course is led by industry professionals with extensive experience in management consulting, providing students with valuable insights and real-world knowledge. ### Detailed Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Problem Definition and Scoping**: The cornerstone of effective consulting is articulating the problem accurately. This module emphasizes the importance of identifying the correct problem before devising solutions. Participants learn to keep their minds open and consider various aspects of a situation, much like a detective piecing together clues at a crime scene. 2. **Frameworks and Logical Structuring**: Here, learners are introduced to the concept of utilizing business frameworks to simplify complex issues. By employing strategies such as the 80/20 Pareto principle, students can organize their approach, facilitating effective teamwork and productivity. 3. **Hypothesis-Based Consulting**: This section emphasizes the skill of formulating hypotheses as educated guesses about potential solutions. In the fast-paced consulting environment, being able to make strategic assumptions and test them rigorously is crucial. 4. **Consultants Love Data**: The course highlights the significance of data in validating recommendations. Learners explore methods for identifying and collecting relevant data, an essential step in any consulting project. 5. **Data Request and Data Cleansing**: Once the needed data is identified, students must learn how to effectively gather and prepare this information for analysis. This module provides vital strategies for ensuring data quality and relevance. 6. **Get the "Right Data" for the Project**: Finally, learners are guided through a structured approach to data analysis and project planning. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of a well-defined project plan to ensure that efforts are directed towards actionable insights. ### Recommendations I highly recommend the *Consulting Approach to Problem Solving* course for anyone interested in developing a strong foundation in consulting practices. The course's practical applications, along with its well-structured syllabi, make it suitable for both beginners and seasoned professionals looking to refine their problem-solving skills. *Reasons to Enroll*: - **Skill Development**: Acquire practical skills that are highly sought after in the business world. - **Insightful Learnings**: Gain insights from experienced consultants and learn through case studies and real-life examples. - **Flexible Learning**: Available online, allowing you to study at your own pace, making it easier to fit into your schedule. In conclusion, this course is a must for anyone aspiring to understand the consulting approach to problem-solving. With the skills learned, participants will be well-equipped to tackle complex business issues in their respective fields. Whether you’re a student, a career changer, or an established professional, the *Consulting Approach to Problem Solving* on Coursera will significantly enhance your analytical and strategic thinking abilities.

Syllabus

Problem Definition and Scoping

Problem definition may sound abstract or boring, but it's incredibly important to solve the RIGHT PROBLEM. Like a detective at a crime scene, a consultant needs to stay open-minded; think broadly about the problem and "look around" for obvious (and missing) clues. In practical terms, a clear problem statement helps the consulting manager keep the scope broad enough for flexibility and creativity, while narrow enough that the work can get done within the project time-frame.

Using the analogy of a jigsaw puzzle, the prior step of "problem definition" was looking at the picture on the box and defining the edges of the puzzle. This step of "problem break down" is sorting the puzzle pieces into different colors: red, yellow, blue, green. Different business frameworks help to simplify complex problems and identify the key drivers (e.g., 80/20 pareto principle). It also offers the opportunity to get early client feedback and form early hypotheses on what the answer(s) could be. Finally, it helps to organize the work so the team can divide up the work effectively.

Unless you are a scientist, the word "hypothesis" will likely seem a little strange. It's the idea that you are making an "educated guess" on what the solutions could be. It's a statement (not a question) that you work to prove through testing. How is this related to consulting? Consultants are often hired to solve the toughest problems in a short amount of time. The only way to accomplish that is by being smart and selective in what they do. This is the secret to how consultants successfully "crack the case" on their clients' problems.

Yes, consultants LOVE data. It is the raw ingredients in the cooking of useful recommendations. Too often, the data is messy, biased, old, fragmented, or missing. As a result, one of the first tasks in a consulting project is to identify and collect usable data sets. It's an enormous task - often unglamorous - but also the only way you can test your hypotheses and develop recommendations. Data lends credibility to consultants' recommendations.

Once you've identified the data you need, the journey has just begun. Using a cooking analogy, you've only put together the shopping list. You still need to get the ingredients, check for freshness, get enough, wash / peel / cut them before you can do the cooking. The same applies for data. It takes effort, client engagement, and some wisdom to request data efficiently.

There is too much data out there to analyze it all; you need to be selective. One way to do that is to follow a structured process or methodology. It doesn't have to be fancy or proprietary. It just needs to outline for yourself and the client, what you are going to do when. This project plan is at a high-level and helps you to reorient your efforts to the right data, right analysis, and right timing. The following DMAIC framework is used frequently in performance improvement projects.