Digital Library: Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

The ability to adopt a systematic approach towards identifying and then solving a problem or issue at hand is referred to as one is troubleshooting skills. In simple words, troubleshooting skills are the problem solving abilities of a person.

Troubleshooting can be defined as the analyses and solving of serious problems for a company or other organization.

Troubleshooting is the process of solving problems. Ideal problem solving skills mean that one should start by gathering as much information as possible in order to define the actual problem, and provide the best possible solution, generating and evaluating all possible solutions. Then, it is important to follow up and check whether or not the problem is actually solved.

Depending on the level of development of troubleshooting skills, the success in preventing problems from occurring is higher. “Problem seekers are usually more creative than problem avoiders”.

Troubleshooting skills are important in any organization due to the need to:

• identify problems;
• build a common solution (if possible build it in teams) and;
• make a better future a possibility.

In summary, troubleshooting is “Identifying and prioritizing problems; sort out the many facets of a problem; proactively contribute with ideas/answers regarding the problem while considering respective consequences; ability to solve novel and ill-defined problems in complex and real-world settings.”

Significance in Times of Crisis (e.g. pandemic)

Troubleshooting in also being able to identify the impact of a crisis in solving problems. It is a process which starts by identifying the elements of a problem (existing situation, desired outcomes, stakeholders,…). It is necessary to use specific tools to solve complex problems, and also to use group problem solving techniques. Therefore, one of the most important skills of client-centered help and support on social level is a sufficiently high level of troubleshooting.