Last week, we shared about automatic processing and conscious processing and how both methods of thinking play a role in critical thinking. This week, we would be looking at the definition of framing, the and the steps to be taken when framing problems.
In any business, there are problems and/or opportunities which would arise from time to time. How we choose to frame these problems and/or opportunities would go a long way in determining the kind of results the organization achieves.
According to Herbert A. Simon, a Nobel Prize-winning economist, “Frames are conceptual frameworks or mental models that individuals use to simplify complex problems and make decisions. They are cognitive shortcuts that allow people to process information efficiently and make sense of the world.” There are three steps to consider when framing problems. Also, a cognitive scientist, George Lakoff, defined frames as “… mental structures that shape how people perceive, interpret, and respond to information and events. They are like mental filters that influence our understanding of reality and guide our actions in problem-solving.”
Problem framing takes the following steps;
- Give the Problem Meaning: This is the process of assigning significance to the problem at hand. It involves understanding the problem in a broader context and considering its implications, relevance, and significance to the stakeholders involved. Giving a problem a meaning entails analyzing its greater ramifications, effects, and relevance to the larger context in which it exists in addition to just looking at the problem in isolation. It entails comprehending how the issue might affect numerous stakeholders, what the issues underlying causes and ramifications are, and what the possible repercussions of various remedies or results might be.
- Suggest Possible Causes: This simply means identifying possible causes or underlying factors that contribute to the problem. For example, some things to consider include the root causes, systemic factors, historical factors, human factors, contributory factors amongst others. In order to create efficient solutions that address the underlying causes and produce durable results, it is crucial to carefully study and identify the factors that are pertinent to the current situation.
- Point in the Direction of Potential Remedies: This means giving consideration to potential remedies or solutions that can address the identified problem. Some examples of such remedies may include, but is not limited to best practices in similar contexts or industries, existing solutions to previously identified problems, evidence based approaches, stakeholders’ involvement. It’s crucial to thoroughly consider and choose potential treatments based on their viability, efficacy, and compatibility with the particular condition and its context.
A more deliberate approach which should be adopted by Managers when framing problems, includes asking themselves the following questions; How am I approaching this problem? How can I approach it differently to increase my chances of success? What in my experience shapes my assumptions? Where are my assumptions adequate or inadequate? However, after asking these questions, it is insufficient that a Manager sees a problem in a particular way. A manager should go above and beyond by learning how effective the frame must be in use or in low cost assessments of the underlying assumptions. So, a Manager must consider several frames before choosing the one that best fits the problem.
In conclusion, framing a problem is a mental activity which seeks to shape how people perceive, interpret, and respond to information and events. Problem framing has three steps; giving the problem a meaning, pointing, suggesting possible causes and providing potential remedies. It is also expedient for a Manager to not just frame a problem in a particular but to go the extra mile by considering more than one frame and evaluating the effectiveness of the frames while they are in action.
