Introduction

In the regulative cycle, the ‘analysis and diagnosis’ step is followed by the ‘plan of action’ step, which involves solution design (discussed in this chapter) and change plan design (addressed in the next chapter). For the student, solution design is often the most difficult part, even if the problem statement and the diagnosis step give a firm starting point. For various reasons there are far fewer systematic approaches available in the literature for design than for analysis. Nevertheless the present chapter will give some ideas for solution design, and the next one will give some ideas for the design of the change process, to be used for the realization of the solution.

The deliverables of the business problem-solving project

A business problem-solving (BPS) project is only complete when the designed solution has been realized and the intended performance improvement has been achieved (at least to a satisfactory degree). The ultimate deliverable of the project is the intended performance improvement of the business system in question.

If problem-solvers are part of the business system to be changed (in a managerial or professional role), they will usually participate in the change process and support the quest for performance improvement. However, if the project is a consultancy project for a student, it is usually agreed that the student will not participate in the change and realization phase. In that case the deliverables of the project are (as stated in chapter 2.1) the following:

1. – a problem definition;

2. – a problem analysis and a diagnosis of the major causes and consequences of the problem;

3. […]