5 Steps To Easier And Faster Problem Solving

Published on by Jane Sisam
Problem Solving Isn't A Straight Line

We weren’t taught problem solving at school. Rather we were taught A SYSTEM of arriving at the right answer. How to multiply twelve by thirteen for example.Of course in this case there is only one right answer.

And back then we weren’t encouraged to figure out our own way if the accepted method wasn’t working for us.

On your dairy farm, animal health conditions like ketosis/energy imbalance,poor fertility and mastitis have the potential to affect your profitability. Either by way of lower milk production, feed conversion efficiency, survivability or higher working expenses or both.

The reality is that you’re unlikely to make headway with a single magic potion or product. Of course you knew that already : ) .

Here’s a five step approach that might help you….

So you have a hunch that there is something limiting profitability and you need to take action….say it’s lameness.

  1. Brainstorm with your team all the possible factors that could be going on ….nutrition, cow/genetics, environment and management/people.
  2. Look at the cows in the shed at milking time and walk the race to their paddock. Ask yourself… what is different? what has changed?
  3. Pick three most likely things ..make a start on the easiest and cheapest or the solution that gives you the best return on your money. Perhaps it’s a one hour training session with your team on trimming.Go here to see how an expert does it. Do they have all the tools and gear they need? Stress the need for early intervention.
  4. How will we know if it works? What are the metrics you’ll be choosing? It could be the number of new cases per 100 cows per month [incidence] or the number of lame cows out of the herd today [prevalence].
  5. Make a start ..and note down what you did. If it works and your metrics start decreasing then that is great. If it doesn’t go back to the start again. As a last resort, read the manual or ring up a friend or google it or rant and rave privately until the next step presents itself to you.

Contact me for your free 15 minute problem solving phone consultation.