ABSTRACT
Chapter 11 provides seven process tools for systems engineers and project managers. In the systems approach, the generic problem-solving process is seen as a Causal Loop in which the solution is evolved, and the traditional linear problem-solving process is but one iteration of that loop. The chapter then discusses the Cataract Methodology and its advantages and continues by discussing PDCA and pointing to some examples of PDCA in use. The process for creating technical and other project documents discussed next minimizes waste in document production, as well as saves time. This chapter fills two gaps in the current paradigm. The first gap is that, while there is a focus on process in the current non-systems approach to project management and systems engineering, there is no guidance or process for tackling a problem or starting a project. This chapter discusses one. The second gap is that while there is a lot of encouragement to think out-of-the-box, there’s very little information on how to actually do it. This chapter provides a systemic and systematic approach to finding out-of-the-box solutions and concludes with a process from working backwards from the solution which saves time and minimizes errors in problem-solving.
