8-Steps to Solving Problems

  • Published
  • By Edward Constantine
  • 354th Fighter Wing AFSO21 Process Manga
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The Air Force has embarked on a journey to eliminate problems from recurring using the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century program. 

The Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force both endorsed the 8-Step Problem Solving Model as the wave of the future for the Air Force in their June 2009 Joint memo. 

The memo stated, "We must take advantage of every opportunity to use AFSO21 principles to improve processes we perform. We can start by attending training on the 8-Step Problem Solving Model and ensuring alignment of our efforts with Air Force priorities. We then need to focus our people on improving mission performance and standardizing successful changes." 

By now you should be asking, "What is this 8-Step Problem Solving model"?
The process is explained below: 

Step 1 - Define the problem; make sure you clearly state the problem and state how it ties to your unit mission. 

Step 2 - Breakdown the problem, identify performance gap; what is the current performance compared to desired performance. 

Step 3 - Set improvement target; what level of performance is desired and by when. 

Step 4 - Determine root causes; get to the level of cause that will ensure the problem does not recur. 

Step 5 - Develop countermeasures; identify what specific actions need to be taken to counter the root cause of the problem. 

Step 6 - See countermeasures through; follow-up and verify countermeasures are being applied. 

Step 7 - Confirm results and process; make sure the countermeasures are providing the results predicted and desired. 

Step 8 - Standardize results; share your successes with functionals and the Air Force, make the changes permanent either through an OI, TO change, or some other method to ensure future compliance with the changes. 

Successful companies across the globe use these 8-Steps and continuously improve their operations and performance. The Air Force's senior leaders believe Airmen and Department of Defense civilians alike can learn from them and improve mission capability and effectiveness through these 8-Steps. 

To learn more about the 8-Step Problem Solving Model, contact the Wing AFSO21 Process Manager at 377-1695 or by email at edward.constantine@eielson.af.mil.