Rapid Problem Solving Research Articles

The impact of team competence on short- and long-term team performance

PurposeDue to the current shortage of skilled employees, there is a growing need to cope with given team settings and to offer appropriate team training. For team training, it is important to know how different competences influence team performance. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of social and cognitive competences on team performance and the relationship of the different competence dimensions to each other.Design/methodology/approachData of 53 student and work teams was collected through a digital simulation laboratory, designed as an escape game. Competences of 228 team members were assessed through questionnaires prior to the simulation. Team performance was measured through short-term performance indicators. Additionally, a postsimulation survey regarding a long-term performance indicator was carried out. Three multiple regression analyses and mediation analyses were conducted.FindingsA tradeoff between cognitive and social competences regarding their impact on short- and long-term team performance is observed. Facets of cognitive competences enhanced short-term performance, whereas facets of social competences reduced short-term performance while enhancing long-term performance. Although cognitive competences show a positive direct effect on short term performance, a negative indirect effect, mediated by social competences, became apparent.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to harmonizing contradictory findings on the impact of high achievers in teams. Although they can have an impact on rapid problem solving, long-term performance depends more on facets of social competences than cognitive competences. Furthermore, social and cognitive competences are positively correlated, showing that teams with higher cognitive competences tend to become stronger in terms of their social competences over time.

A “High-Reliability Organization” Approach to Improve Trauma Imaging Performance

PurposeCT is the gold standard for triaging critically ill patients, including in trauma, and its use has increased over time. CT turnaround times (TATs) are frequently targeted for improvement. As opposed to linear reductionist processes such as Lean and Six Sigma, a high-reliability organization (HRO) approach focuses on culture and teams to enable rapid problem solving. The authors evaluated the HRO model to rapidly generate, trial, select, and implement improvement interventions to improve trauma patient CT performance. MethodsAll trauma patients presenting to a single institution’s emergency department during a 5-month period were included. Project periods included 2-month preintervention, 1-month wash-in, and 2-month postintervention. Each initial trauma CT encounter during the wash-in and postintervention periods created job briefs in which the radiologist ensured that all involved had the pertinent clinical information and agreed on the imaging needed, thereby creating a shared mental model as well as an opportunity to raise concerns and provide ideas for improvement. ResultsA total of 447 patients were included: 145 preintervention, 68 wash-in, and 234 postintervention. The seven selected interventions were trauma text alert; scripted CT technologist-radiologist communication; modification of CT acquisition, processing, sending, and interpretation; and trauma mobile phones. The seven selected interventions reduced trauma patient CT median TATs by 60% (78 vs 31 min, P < .001), demonstrating the effectiveness of an HRO approach to improvement. ConclusionsAn HRO-based approach was rapid in generating, trialing, selecting, and implementing improvement interventions, and the interventions were effective at substantially decreasing trauma patient CT TATs.

“It’s not rocket science” and “It’s not brain surgery”—“It’s a walk in the park”: prospective comparative study

ObjectiveTo compare cognitive testing scores in neurosurgeons and aerospace engineers to help settle the age old argument of which phrase—“It’s not brain surgery” or “It’s not rocket science”—is most deserved.DesignInternational...

Effects of partial sleep deprivation following night shift on cognitive functions of Egyptian anesthesiologists; prospective observational study

ABSTRACT Background Anesthesiologists in Egypt as a representative of developing countries with large populations and shortage of trained personnel and extended working hours that may reach 30 continuous hours are susceptible victims of fatigue and sleep deprivation. Objectives To evaluate and compare differences in cognitive function of anesthesia residents before and after the 24 hours work shift. Methods Prospective, observational, cohort study that was conducted in tertiary care hospital (Kasr El-Aini Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University). Fifty anesthesia residents with 24 hours working shift participated in the study. The cognitive function was assessed before and after the shift using Psychomotor Vigilance Task, Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Trail Making Test before and after the shift. Results Psychomotor Vigilance Task mean reaction time before and after shift was 302.1 ± 35.2 ms and 371.9 ± 55.4 ms, respectively (P value < 0.001). Karolinska Sleepiness Scale mean before and after shift was 3.34 ± 1.189 and 6.24 ± 1.589, respectively (P value < 0.001). Epworth Sleepiness Scale mean before and after shift was 6.68 ± 2.759 and 14.86 ± 3.423, respectively (P value < 0.001). Trail Making Test mean times in both parts A and B, before shifts were 38.82 ± 8.458 and 63.16 ± 11.557 s, respectively. While, post shifts mean times were 44.86 ± 9.370 and 72.60 ± 12.294 s, respectively (P value < 0.001 for both parts). Conclusions Sleep deprivation in night shifts increases the day-time sleepiness and affects the anesthesiologist’ cognitive processes, such as reaction time, alertness, rapid problem solving, psychomotor skills, attention, mental flexibility, and executive functions. Clinical trial registration ID clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03784560.

Prioritize Front-Loading Factors Analysis for New Product Development : Focus on Automobile Parts Design Stage

The purpose of this study is to provide the priority of the front-loading factors in the design stage of the automotive parts development process in order to efficiently and effectively respond to the demands of the car maker (customer). Front-loading is defined as a strategy in order to improve development performance by shifting the identification and solving of design problems to earlier phases of a product development process. Two approaches of the front-loading are project-to-project knowledge transfer and rapid problem solving. For the study, a survey was conducted on the R&D department in the automobile parts company and analyzed by AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method. The result of the survey shows the cost savings is the highest weight in terms of front-loading effect and in terms of front-loading factors, it gives priorities as “the problems of past project” first, “Design Review” second, “CAE (Computer Aided Engineering)” third, “FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)” fourth, “benchmarking” and SR (Sourcing of Requirements). The results of the study will be helpful to provide practical value for improving product design of component development.

Management of Errors and Development Cooperation

The precautionary principle is widely accepted in international law to guide decisions about proposed interventions. The principle is therefore relevant for interventions promoted as part of development cooperation. Disasters such the arsenic problem in Bangladesh and elsewhere in South and Southeast Asia demonstrate that development interventions are not always guided by the precautionary principle. In Bangladesh, well-intentioned efforts to address a specific problem ended up creating a new problem, i.e., the worst mass poisoning in human history. The arsenic problem in Bangladesh is an example of failures to appreciate and manage complex systems. Concentrating on rapid problem solving can be highly effective on the short run, but reliable sustainability depends on understanding the dynamics of complex and interrelated systems.

Climate resilience strategies of Beijing and Copenhagen and their links to sustainability

Abstract Like numerous other cities, Beijing and Copenhagen are experiencing more frequent urban flooding due to increased impervious cover and climate change. Consequently, huge investments are foreseen to maintain resilience. Analyses of planning documents and interviews with key stakeholders reveal that in their climate resilience strategies both cities do employ alternative approaches based on on-site retention-detention of stormwater runoff. However, when there is an emergency situation with heavy downpours, both cities rely heavily on conventional concepts involving deep tunnels for rapid discharge. The applied alternative solutions tend to be more engineering-based, like underground tanks in Beijing and detention-discharge plazas in Copenhagen. More nature-based solutions lag behind. Both cities are simultaneously targeting specific additional sustainability goals. Nevertheless, other potential goals seem to be neglected, like livability improvements in Beijing and biodiversity support and water footprint reduction in Copenhagen. The main barriers for implementing more nature-based solutions with greater sustainability potentials were a combination of time constraints caused by external political pressures for rapid problem solving, lack of routines for the innovation and documentation of solutions for dense urban areas, and insufficient multi-sectorial collaboration. These factors limit the propagation of alternative solutions and tip the balance of current investments towards a conventional approach.

Development of “SWARM” as a Model for High Reliability, Rapid Problem Solving, and Institutional Learning

Development of “SWARM” as a Model for High Reliability, Rapid Problem Solving, and Institutional Learning

The effects of life stress and neural learning signals on fluid intelligence.

Fluid intelligence (fluid IQ), defined as the capacity for rapid problem solving and behavioral adaptation, is known to be modulated by learning and experience. Both stressful life events (SLES) and neural correlates of learning [specifically, a key mediator of adaptive learning in the brain, namely the ventral striatal representation of prediction errors (PE)] have been shown to be associated with individual differences in fluid IQ. Here, we examine the interaction between adaptive learning signals (using a well-characterized probabilistic reversal learning task in combination with fMRI) and SLES on fluid IQ measures. We find that the correlation between ventral striatal BOLD PE and fluid IQ, which we have previously reported, is quantitatively modulated by the amount of reported SLES. Thus, after experiencing adversity, basic neuronal learning signatures appear to align more closely with a general measure of flexible learning (fluid IQ), a finding complementing studies on the effects of acute stress on learning. The results suggest that an understanding of the neurobiological correlates of trait variables like fluid IQ needs to take socioemotional influences such as chronic stress into account.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00406-014-0519-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A influência das práticas de produção enxuta nos atributos qualificadores das células de manufatura

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar como as práticas de Produção Enxuta (PE) influenciam no desempenho da célula de manufatura (CM), baseado no estudo teórico sobre os atributos que qualificam uma CM. Para isto, foi necessário desenvolver um conceito de CM que atenda a perspectiva do sistema sócio-técnico, incorporando um atributo técnico e outro social, e também a presença dos elementos de tempo, espaço e informação, que definem uma “célula real”. Como resultado, se evidencia que a maioria das práticas de PE tem como objetivo aumentar a presença dos elementos de tempo e informação nas CM. Seja pela detecção rápida de problemas, na atuação na solução de problemas ou no uso de uma quantidade de estoques mínima entre as atividades da célula, a PE busca formar uma unidade gerencial que simultaneamente reduza o tempo de processamento e informe constantemente sobre a situação de todos os recursos. Apesar de influenciar em um menor grau, o atributo organizacional e o elemento espaço também são influenciados positivamente pela aplicação das práticas de PE.

Driving improvement in patient care: lessons from Toyota.

Nurses today are attempting to do more with less while grappling with faulty error-prone systems that do not focus on patients at the point of care. This struggle occurs against a backdrop of rising national concern over the incidence of medical errors in healthcare. In an effort to create greater value with scarce resources and fix broken systems that compromise quality care, UPMC Health System is beginning to master and implement the Toyota Production System (TPS)--a method of managing people engaged in work that emphasizes frequent rapid problem solving and work redesign that has become the global archetype for productivity and performance. The authors discuss the rationale for applying TPS to healthcare and implementation of the system through the development of "learning unit" model lines and initial outcomes, such as dramatic reductions in the number of missing medications and thousands of hours and dollars saved as a result of TPS-driven changes. Tracking data further suggest that TPS, with sufficient staff preparation and involvement, has the potential for continuous, lasting, and accelerated improvement in patient care.

The effect of “front-loading” problem-solving on product development performance

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the link between problem-solving capabilities and product development performance. In this article, the authors apply a problem-solving perspective to the management of product development and suggest how shifting the identification and solving of problems—a concept that they define as front-loading—can reduce development time and cost and thus free up resources to be more innovative in the marketplace. The authors develop a framework of front-loading problem-solving and present related examples and case evidence from development practice. These examples include Boeing’s and Chrysler’s experience with the use of “digital mock-ups” to identify interference problems that are very costly to solve if identified further downstream—sometimes as late as during or—after first full-scale assembly. In the article, the authors propose that front-loading can be achieved using a number of different approaches, two of which are discussed in detail: (1) project-to-project knowledge transfer—leverage previous projects by transferring problem and solution-specific information to new projects; and (2) rapid problem-solving—leverage advanced technologies and methods to increase the overall rate at which development problems are identified and solved. Methods for improving project-to-project knowledge transfer include the effective use of “postmortems,” which are records of post-project learning and thus can be instrumental in carrying forward the knowledge from current and past projects. As the article suggests, rapid problem-solving can be achieved by optimally combining new technologies (such as computer simulation) that allow for faster problem-solving cycles with traditional technologies (such as late stage prototypes), which usually provide higher fidelity. A field study of front-loading at Toyota Motor Corporation shows how a systematic effort to front-load its development process has, in effect, shifted problem-identification and problem-solving to earlier stages of product development. They conclude the article with a discussion of other approaches to front-load problem-solving in product development and propose how a problem-solving perspective can help managers to build capabilities for higher development performance.

Cognitive Strategies in Mathematics, Part II: teaching a more advanced addition strategy to an eight‐year‐old girl with learning difficulties

This article focuses on computational problems in simple addition and on interventions aimed at ameliorating such problems. TM, an eight‐years‐and‐two‐months‐old girl with mathematical difficulties was taught a more advanced addition strategy through multicompo‐nent self‐regulation training utilizing the self‐instructional paradigm. The subject's shift to the new addition strategy on both stimulus problems and generalization problems after training was accompanied by more rapid problem solving and fewer errors. Both the completion time and the error rate continued to improve during a four‐weeks follow‐up period. During the follow‐up period, the subject spontaneously started to use even more advanced addition strategies than the one she had learned during the intervention.

Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging with neuropsychological testing in multiple sclerosis.

Previous research has suggested that cerebral lesions observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of MS patients are clinically "silent." We examined the validity of this assertion by correlating neuropsychological test performance with MRI findings in 53 MS patients. We used a semiautomated quantitation system to measure three MRI variables: total lesion area (TLA), ventricular-brain ratio (VBR), and size of the corpus callosum (SCC). Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that TLA was a robust predictor of cognitive dysfunction, particularly for measures of recent memory, abstract/conceptual reasoning, language, and visuospatial problem solving. SCC predicted test performance on measures on mental processing speed and rapid problem solving, while VBR did not independently predict cognitive test findings. These findings suggest that cerebral lesions in MS produce cognitive dysfunction and that MRI may be a useful predictor of cognitive dysfunction.

Enhancing Self-Efficacy and Achievement Through Rewards and Goals: Motivational and Informational Effects

This experiment compared the effects of performance-contingent rewards and proximal goals on children's task motivation, self-efficacy, and skillful performance. Children deficient in division skills received division instruction and solved problems. Some children were offered rewards based on their actual performances (rewards only); others pursued proximal performance goals (goals only); and children in a third condition received rewards and goals (rewards + goals). Although the three experimental treatments led to equally rapid problem solving during training, combining rewards with goals resulted in the highest self-efficacy and division performance. Future research should investigate whether proximal goals and performance-contingent rewards enhance self-efficacy through a common informational process. Implications for teaching are discussed.

Reward contingencies and the development of children's skills and self-efficacy.

This experiment tested the hypothesis that rewards offered for performance attainments during competency development promote children's arithmetic skills and percepts of self-efficacy. Children received didactic instruction in division operations and were offered rewards contingent on their actual performance, rewards for simply participating, or no rewards. Results showed that performance-contingent rewards led to the highest levels of division skill and self-efficacy, as well as the most rapid problem solving during the training program. In contrast, offering rewards for participation resulted in no benefits compared with offering no rewards. The findings suggest caution in how rewards are distributed in educational contexts.

Approach to rapid problem solving in clinical medicine.

Problem-orientated flow charts have been developed to teach paramedical workers the skills of making diagnoses in outpatient clinics in Tanzania. The charts give high levels of repeatability, accuracy, and rapidity and their use may lead to improved standards of medical care.