A firm is concerned with improving productivity in the office. Illustrate how two different problem redefinition methods can help bring about new perspective on such a problem. 

Problem redefinition methods to improve productivity

The following two different problem redefinition methods can help bring about new perspectives.

Goal Orientation

The firm can use these five steps to bring about new perspectives:

1. General statement of the problem: Improve productivity in the office.
2. The Goal: The office staff and other resources must perform to the best possible level.
3. Obstacle: Identify the obstacles. It could be the lack of training of the staff or non- availability of resources (e.g. latest technology).
4. Constraints: There could be financial or a number of other constraints. They need to be identified.
5. New Problem Statement: It could be “How to improve the productivity of the office by training the staff and making use of the latest business software.”

‘Why’ Method

The firm can use the following method to bring about new perspectives:

Question: Why do we want to improve the productivity of the office?

Answer: To bring the office running costs down.

Redefinition: What actions are needed to decrease the running costs of the office?

Question: What resources need to improve to decrease the running costs?

Answer: Technical resources need an upgrade. Human resource needs training.

At this point we might have a redefinition: How to improve the human and technical resources to improve productivity?