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Key Activities

If the immediately preceding component of the Business Model Canvas is the Key Resources , which provide the most important inputs to bring your business to life, the Key Activities include the actions that are imperative for a business to work.

Basically, these are the essential tasks that the company must carry out in order to achieve its business purpose, in other words, to meet the Value Proposition , achieve its Customer Segments , sustain a Customer Relationship , and finally create Revenue Streams .

Key Activities vary according to the organization’s Business Model . A product-oriented company, for example, includes research among main activities. A company whose income is based on third-party contracts must prioritize the management of channels.

But how to define the Key Activities of your Business Model Canvas in a functional and successful way?

Categories of Key Activities

• Production : covers all actions related to product development, manufacturing , and delivery. It usually involves significant quantities of a product. This is the preponderant activity in the Business Models focused on manufacturing.
• Problem Solving : it is the core activity of organizations seeking unique solutions to specific problems. Hospitals, consultancies, and most service providers are good examples. These are enterprises that involve a lot of knowledge management, as well as a focus on continuous learning and training.
• Platform/network: Networks, combination platforms, software, and brands can function as platforms. The company develops the platform and works continuously to keep it running, through platform management and promotion, in addition to providing services accordingly.

Typical activities

The focus of the Key Activities block is, in the end, to bridge the Value Propositions with the needs of the Customer Segments.

Note some of the typical key activities practiced by most organizations:

Research and Development

Collaborates with all other areas of the company, from production to sales, through marketing. Among its typical functions are:

• New product research: Before a product enters the production line, it goes through the research and development department, which will evaluate design, costs, and production time.
• New product development : the first phase of research leads to the development of the new product, according to the results achieved in the initial evaluation.
• Updates of existing products: In addition to new products, it is also important to take a look at existing products and how they are aligned with the needs of the market. New demands from the public or changes in the industrial scope may necessitate updating current products. In addition, faults may also appear that need to be resolved.
• Quality checks: The R & D department is also responsible for auditing and quality checking to make sure the product meets the standards set by the company.
• Innovation : Finally, the department is also responsible for observing and understanding innovations and trends in the marketplace, to ensure that the company and the products comply with the scenarios.

It is one of the most comprehensive areas and therefore involves a number of typical activities that may become Key Activities. Such as:

• Product selection and design: to start, you need to choose a product to be marketed, as well as its design. This combination is part of the company’s Value Proposition and may be responsible for the success or failure of the venture.
• Production process selection: Once the product has been decided, it is necessary to choose the production process that the organization will use, including suitable technology, machinery, and systems.
• Correct production capacity : the organization needs to be aware of the expected demand for the product in order to determine the production capacity accordingly. Both the shortage and surplus of the product can cause problems. Break-even analysis is the most popular tool among production managers to predict capacity.
• Production planning : the goal here is to create a healthy, sustainable, and economical flow. Includes a schedule, with a specific calendar of activities, within pre-established hours.
• Production control: it is the responsibility to monitor and control all production processes, correcting eventual deviations to ensure planned production.
• Quality and cost control: involves continually improving the product while trying to reduce costs, to achieve a competitive price in the market.
• Inventory control: inventory control is critical in a production-driven business. The focus is to avoid both overstocking, an excess of materials that will eventually be wasted, as well as understocking, which can delay production and result in late deliveries.
• Machine maintenance and replacement: it includes everything that concerns maintaining equipment and machinery running in perfect conditions so that there are no interruptions in the production chain.

It is the department responsible for the growth and value propositions of the company. Among its functions, which can become Key Activities, are:

• Strategy : includes the design and implementation of marketing strategies based on the goals and missions of the organization.
• Market research : aims to be fully aware of the market as well as strengths and weaknesses of the product, observing target audiences, and potential competitors.
• Product development: here marketing works alongside the development team. In this case, there is the identification of gaps in the market that can be fulfilled with the creation of a new product that meets this need.
• Communications : encompasses all communication about the product on the market, including press releases, advertisements, e-mails, etc.
• Sales support: this is when marketing works closely with the sales team, providing customer leads and promotional materials.
• Events : involves the organization and execution of events, such as seminars, product launches, exhibitions, among others, to which key and/or potential customers are invited.

Sales and Customer Service

Sales and service play a key role in customer experience. They are the main responsible for customer loyalty, who will become a defender and divulger of your brand.

In addition to being the “front” team of the company, they are also the ones who respond to customer complaints and have the power and tools to circumvent the situation and seek client satisfaction.

Also, they can perform some administrative tasks such as registering and controlling client accounts, including new and old ones.

In order to establish the Key Activities of your business, it is important that you take a look at the related components, being able to point out which activities are fundamental to deliver value propositions, to maintain a good relationship with the customer, to take advantage of the distribution and to generate revenue streams.

And, of course, this is a block that needs to be constantly revised, because as the business evolves, there may be a need to include other actions among Key Activities.

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Key Activities in a Business Model Canvas

Businesses are multi-faceted structures embracing a variety of levels. While driven by people at all levels, organizations are primarily what they do. In other words, each type of organization is dedicated to a certain type of activity.

Key Activities make a whole block in a Business Model Canvas describing the main processes, functions, and tasks a company should undertake to develop, stay competitive, and deliver its value proposition.

Normally, these are actions that are an absolute must for successful company operations and growth. So, let’s take a look at how those tasks vary across organizations and how to determine Key Activities for a specific Business Model Canvas to make it a success.

The Place of Key Activities in a Business Model Canvas

Identifying the key activities, problem-solving, platform/network building, sales and marketing.

This module is the seventh out of nine essential elements that make up a Business Model Canvas . Standing in between Key Resources and Key Partners, this module is on the execution side of the template and is a part of the value proposition implementation rather than value creation.

By identifying and prioritizing the most important tasks, organizations can better focus their resources and optimize their operations to achieve both big and small goals. The Key Activities block is crucial for understanding how a venture works and what makes it unique in its niche.

As such, this component is critical for any business model.

While recognizing essential activities seems self-evident, founders continually underestimate exactly how many priorities compete for their attention when starting a company.

Before funneling energy into ancillary responsibilities, leadership first owes disciplined enumeration of core how to start a business operations deterministic of success or failure.

To be more specific, these are the prime tasks an organization should complete to match its value proposition, reach appropriate customer segments, establish long-lasting customer relationships, and generate revenue streams. As such, this module is among the core blocks many other Business Model components rely on.

The main aspect of this module is the value organizations add to the market via their operations. Value analysis and assessment allow for estimating how effective the key activities are as well as for a better understanding of what stands behind company failures and success.

Since the block is directly linked to a number of other modules, to identify your key activities, think about the answers to the following questions:

• What are the key actions to create a product or service?
• What are the channels to distribute that product or service?
• What are the core activity types for building and maintaining customer relationships?
• What jobs will ensure revenue streams?

Notably, the scale of the enterprise also matters in the choice of key activities. Thus, smaller companies and startup projects will have simple lists of actions and tasks.

And big organizations with complex structures embracing multiple processes and a number of affiliates will call for a higher degree of abstraction when determining their key tasks.

While the algorithm for defining key activities stays the same throughout the business cycle, it’s important to approach it from the right angle to work out the scheme that will align with the current development stage of your organization.

Key Activities Classification

A set of core activities that will work for each business model type is different and greatly dependent on the industry or niche a company operates in, as well as on its long-term development goals and overall entrepreneurial environment conditions.

Thus, organizations can change major jobs to respond to changing business tendencies, embrace emerging trends, catch up with new opportunities, and retain or increase the value they offer.

With a plethora of tasks and processes involved in different types of enterprises and organizations, the key activities can be broadly grouped into four major categories described below.

It’s by far the most comprehensive and complex category that covers product development, manufacturing, and delivery. Production is peculiar to manufacturers and companies that create and sell products. Good examples of production-based business models among global brands are Nestle, Tesla, Apple, and SpaceX.

The key activities typical for this category include:

• Design and selection embrace choosing and designing both products and production processes, including technology, machinery, and systems to be used. At this stage, production capacities are also to be determined and planned to satisfy the expected demand to avoid inventory problems;
• Planning is aimed at establishing a healthy and consistent production process covering pre-scheduled tasks and actions;
• Control involves the management and monitoring of all production processes and stages to detect any deviations and correct them. Besides, it covers quality control to ensure a continuously high quality of products delivered. And regular inventory control is required to avoid product shortages or overstocking;
• Delivery refers to product handling, shipping, transportation, and distribution to end users;
• Customer feedback is critical for production-driven companies to introduce any product modifications or refinements to increase value and match customer needs to a tee.

Today, many organizations tend to outsource production jobs to optimize their costs and embrace multiple product types. In this case, outsourcing will be the key activity of the company.

This activity is characteristic of organizations that come up with exclusive solutions for certain problems, issues, situations, or challenges. Most often, these are companies providing different types of services. Hospitals, lawyers, financial and tax consultants, and beauty salons are good examples in this area.

Problem-solving business models rely on works that bring a competitive advantage. Besides, those tasks are usually backed by consistent learning and training. So, the key activities to fit this category are as follows:

• Research to identify market demands and actual needs that will help companies deliver solutions that ignite interest and promise positive change;
• Project management to coordinate and finetune connected processes. This will boost productivity and minimize problems that might impact the value of the services provided;
• Expert advice to improve project planning, balance management efforts, prepare effective operational teams, and develop optimal risk control strategies. All of this is meant to prevent service disruptions;
• Recruitment to find, connect with, and employ experienced professionals;
• Customer service to communicate with clients to build relationships of trust.

Building platforms and networks are about creating a place for people to interact, communicate, transact, and make deals.

The key activities here will be built around platform maintenance and optimization to keep them serviceable, functional, and in line with the latest updates, upgrades, innovations, and trends, not to mention their matching the market demand and target audience needs.

The most vivid examples of platform-based business models are Google and Amazon.

The key activities that help create value in this segment embrace the following:

• Cloud computing to enable off-site data management, easy remote work, and optimize the use of digital resources;
• Financing to ensure organizational development and growth and directly impact the market trends;
• Research and development to ensure access to up-to-date advancements and technology and make the platform or network match the current industry standards and customer interests;
• Delivering fundamental expertise to get participants interested, set up communities, and add value;
• Consistent platform management through client service and technical support;
• Customer management to administer and control services and regulate customer relationships;
• Quality control to make sure platform security and service quality match the standards applied.

It’s worth noting that this category is not limited to the above-mentioned works. There are many other key activities that fall under this category, given the number of network aspects. We’ve mentioned the most common ones.

This category is applicable to a certain extent to nearly any organization, be it a private or governmental structure, a profit or non-profit company. The key activities here are the following:

• Recruiting to employ specialists capable of selling different products and services;
• Promoting to reach and engage the target audience;
• Customer search to determine and hunt for new customers;
• Maintaining to foster and nurture the existing customer base;
• Collaborating to establish the right connections via communication and further build beneficial relationships.

The Key Activities module is a core component of the Business Model Canvas crucial for the value proposition delivery, sustaining great customer relationships, properly aligning distribution channels, and generating revenue streams.

As such, the module is not something you can tailor in a set-and-forget manner. It requires consistent revision and adjustment to stay on top of business changes.

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That actually explain what's on your next test, problem-solving activities, from class:, business model canvas.

Problem-solving activities are specific actions or tasks that a business undertakes to identify and resolve issues that hinder value delivery to customers. These activities are essential for aligning a company's key operations with its value propositions, ensuring that the offerings meet customer needs and address pain points effectively. By focusing on problem-solving, businesses can innovate, adapt, and enhance their service or product quality, leading to improved customer satisfaction and competitive advantage.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

• Problem-solving activities can include market research, customer feedback analysis, and product development iterations.
• These activities help businesses understand customer pain points and develop tailored solutions that enhance customer experience.
• Engaging in problem-solving fosters innovation by encouraging teams to think creatively about overcoming challenges.
• Effective problem-solving can lead to operational efficiencies, reducing costs and increasing the speed of service delivery.
• Aligning problem-solving activities with value propositions ensures that resources are directed toward areas that enhance customer satisfaction.

Review Questions

• Problem-solving activities play a crucial role in refining and enhancing a company's value propositions by ensuring they are directly addressing the needs and challenges faced by customers. By actively engaging in these activities, businesses can gather insights into customer expectations, allowing them to adjust their offerings accordingly. This alignment helps maintain relevancy in the market, ensuring that what is offered truly resonates with target audiences.
• Key activities encompass all critical tasks necessary for delivering a business's value propositions, including problem-solving activities. These problem-solving tasks enable organizations to identify gaps or issues within their current operations or offerings. By integrating these activities into their key operations, companies can continuously improve their services and adapt to changing customer demands, thereby strengthening their overall value delivery.
• Integrating problem-solving activities into a business model significantly enhances competitive advantage by allowing companies to be more responsive to customer needs and market changes. Businesses that prioritize these activities are more likely to innovate successfully and differentiate themselves from competitors. This proactive approach not only leads to improved products and services but also fosters loyalty among customers who feel understood and valued, further solidifying the company's position in the market.

Related terms

Value Proposition : A value proposition is the promise of value to be delivered to customers, explaining how a product or service meets their needs and stands out from the competition.

Key Activities : Key activities are the critical tasks and operations that a business must perform to deliver its value propositions, maintain customer relationships, and generate revenue.

Customer Segments : Customer segments are the distinct groups of people or organizations that a business aims to reach and serve with its products or services.

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Are you looking to enhance your or your team’s problem-solving abilities? Engaging in activities specifically designed to stimulate your and your team’s critical thinking skills can be an excellent way to sharpen your problem-solving prowess. Whether you enjoy puzzles, brain teasers, or interactive challenges, these activities provide an opportunity to overcome obstacles and think creatively.

By immersing yourself in problem-solving activities, you can develop valuable strategies, improve your decision-making abilities, and boost your overall problem-solving IQ.

One key aspect of successful problem-solving is ensuring clear and effective communication, such as when teams use critical tools available online. For example, testing emails for deliverability and using an email spam checker to avoid spam filters can improve team efficiency. Try Maileroo’s free mail tester to validate your email campaigns effectively. Get ready to unlock your full potential and tackle any challenge that comes your way with these exciting activities for problem-solving.

In this article, we will explore activities for problem-solving that can help enhance your team’s problem-solving skills, allowing you to approach challenges with confidence and creativity.

What Are Problem Solving Activities?

Problem-solving activities or problem-solving exercises are interactive games requiring critical thinking to solve puzzles. They enhance teamwork & critical thinking. Examples include building towers, navigating simulated challenges, and fostering creativity and communication.

For instance, imagine a team working together to construct the tallest tower using limited materials. They strategize, communicate ideas, and problem-solve to create the best structure, promoting collaboration and inventive thinking among team members.

Some widely practiced problem-solving activities include:

• A Shrinking Vessel: Teams must fit into a shrinking space, testing their cooperation and adaptability.
• Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower: Participants build a tower using marshmallows and spaghetti, promoting creative engineering.
• Egg Drop: Protecting an egg from a fall challenges problem-solving skills.
• Desert Island Survival: Teams simulate survival scenarios, encouraging creative solutions.
• Rolling Dice: A simple yet effective game involving chance and decision-making.
• Build a Tower: Constructing a stable tower with limited resources fosters teamwork and innovation, etc.

13 Easy Activities For Problem-Solving Ideas to Enhance Team Collaboration

Team building activities offer a great opportunity to test problem-solving abilities and promote effective collaboration within a group to problem solving group activities. By engaging in these activities, teams can break the monotony of the workplace and create a more inclusive and welcoming environment.

Here are nine easy-to-implement activities that can bring substantial change to your team culture and overall workplace dynamics.

#1. Crossword Puzzles

Objective: To enhance problem-solving skills, vocabulary, and cognitive abilities through engaging crossword puzzles. 

Estimated Time: 15-20 Minutes 

Materials Needed:

• Crossword puzzle sheets
• Pens or pencils
• Distribute crossword puzzle sheets and pens/pencils to each participant.
• Explain the rules of crossword puzzles and the goal of completing as many clues as possible within the given time.
• Participants individually or in pairs work on solving the crossword puzzle by filling in the correct words.
• Encourage critical thinking, word association, and collaborative discussions for solving challenging clues.
• At the end of the time limit, review the answers and discuss any interesting or challenging clues as a group.
• Enhanced Problem-Solving: Participants engage in critical thinking while deciphering clues, promoting effective problem-solving skills.
• Vocabulary Expansion: Exposure to new words and phrases within the crossword improves vocabulary and comprehension.
• Cognitive Stimulation: The mental exercise of solving the puzzle stimulates the brain, enhancing cognitive abilities.
• Team Collaboration: If done in pairs, participants practice collaboration and communication to solve clues together.
• Achievement and Motivation: Successfully completing the crossword brings a sense of accomplishment and motivates individuals to explore more puzzles.

Tips for Facilitators:

• Provide varying levels of crossword puzzles to accommodate different skill levels.
• Encourage participants to share strategies for solving challenging clues.
• Emphasize the fun and educational aspects of the activity to keep participants engaged.

#2. A Shrinking Vessel

Estimated Time: 10-15 Minutes

• Materials Needed: A rope and a ball of yarn
• Prepare the Setting: Lay a rope on the floor in a shape that allows all team members to stand comfortably inside it. For larger teams, multiple ropes can be used, dividing them into smaller groups.
• Enter the Circle: Have all team members stand inside the rope, ensuring that nobody steps outside its boundaries.
• Shrinking the Circle: Begin gradually shrinking the rope’s size, reducing the available space inside the circle.
• Adapt and Maintain Balance: As the circle shrinks, team members must make subtle adjustments to maintain their positions and balance within the shrinking area.
• The Challenge: The objective for the team is to collectively brainstorm and find innovative ways to keep every team member inside the circle without anyone stepping outside.
• Collaboration and Communication: The activity promotes teamwork and open communication as participants strategize to stay within the shrinking circle.
• Adaptability: Team members learn to adapt swiftly to changing circumstances, fostering agility and flexibility.
• Creative Problem-Solving: The challenge encourages inventive thinking and brainstorming to find unique solutions.
• Trust Building: By relying on each other’s actions, participants build trust and cohesion among team members.
• Time-Efficient: The short duration makes it an ideal icebreaker or energizer during meetings or workshops.
• Observe and Facilitate: Monitor the team’s dynamics and offer guidance to encourage equal participation and effective problem-solving.
• Encourage Verbalization: Prompt participants to voice their ideas and collaborate vocally, aiding in real-time adjustments.
• Debrief Thoughtfully: Engage the team in a discussion afterward, reflecting on strategies employed and lessons learned.
• Emphasize Adaptability: Highlight the transferable skill of adaptability and its significance in both professional and personal contexts.

#3. Human Knots

• Objective: Improving Collaboration & enhancing Communication Skills

Estimated Time: 15-20 minutes

• Materials: None required

Procedure: 

• Organize your team into a compact circle. For more sizable teams, subdivide them into smaller clusters, with each cluster forming its own circle. 
• Direct each individual to grasp the hands of two other people in the circle, with the exception of those positioned directly adjacent to them. This action will result in the formation of a complex “human knot” within the circle. 
• Present the challenge to the group: to unravel themselves from this entanglement while maintaining their hold on each other’s hands. If preferred, you can establish a specific time limit. 
• Observe the team members collaborating to unravel the knot, witnessing their collective effort to devise solutions and free themselves from the intricate puzzle.
• Team Cohesion: The activity encourages team members to interact closely, promoting bonding and understanding among participants.
• Effective Communication: Participants practice clear and concise communication as they coordinate movements to untangle the knot.
• Problem-Solving: The challenge stimulates creative thinking and problem-solving skills as individuals work collectively to find the optimal path for untangling.
• Adaptability: Participants learn to adapt their actions based on the evolving dynamics of the human knot, fostering adaptability.
• Trust Building: As individuals rely on each other to navigate the intricate knot, trust and cooperation naturally develop.
• Set a Positive Tone: Create an inclusive and supportive atmosphere, emphasizing that the focus is on collaboration rather than competition.
• Encourage Verbalization: Urge participants to articulate their intentions and listen to others’ suggestions, promoting effective teamwork.
• Observe Group Dynamics: Monitor interactions and step in if needed to ensure everyone is actively engaged and included.
• Reflect and Share: Conclude the activity with a debriefing session, allowing participants to share their experiences, strategies, and key takeaways.
• Vary Grouping: Change group compositions for subsequent rounds to enhance interactions among different team members.

#4. Egg Drop

Helps With: Decision Making, Collaboration

• A carton of eggs
• Construction materials (balloons, rubber bands, straws, tape, plastic wrap, etc.)
• A suitable location for the activity
• Assign each team a single egg and random construction materials.
• Teams must create a carrier to protect the egg from breaking.
• Drop the carriers one by one and increase the height if necessary to determine the most durable carrier.
• The winning team is the one with the carrier that survives the highest drop.
• Decision Making: Participants engage in critical decision-making processes as they select construction materials and determine carrier designs.
• Collaboration: The activity necessitates collaboration and coordination among team members to construct an effective carrier.
• Problem-Solving: Teams apply creative problem-solving skills to devise innovative methods for safeguarding the egg.
• Risk Management: Participants learn to assess potential risks and consequences while making design choices to prevent egg breakage.
• Celebrating Success: The victorious team experiences a sense of accomplishment, boosting morale and promoting a positive team spirit.
• Provide Diverse Materials: Offer a wide range of construction materials to stimulate creativity and allow teams to explore various design options.
• Set Safety Guidelines: Prioritize safety by specifying a safe drop height and ensuring participants follow safety protocols during construction.
• Encourage Brainstorming: Prompt teams to brainstorm multiple carrier ideas before finalizing their designs, fostering diverse perspectives.
• Facilitate Reflection: After the activity, lead a discussion where teams share their design strategies, challenges faced, and lessons learned.
• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize the significance of teamwork in achieving success, acknowledging effective communication and cooperation.

As a teamwork activity, Egg Drop can help team members solve problems through collaboration and communication.

Each team can design and customize their own balloons and can display their team logo, slogan, or elements related to team culture through custom balloons . Awards can also be set up, such as the most creative balloon design, the strongest frangipani structure, etc., to increase the motivation for competition and participation. 

After the activity, team sharing and feedback can be conducted to allow everyone to share their learning experience and feelings about teamwork.

This combination allows team members to experience the importance of teamwork in creativity and practice, and strengthen team cohesion by completing challenges and sharing experiences.

#5. Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower

Helps With: Collaboration

Estimated Time: 20-30 Minutes

Materials Needed (per team):

• Raw spaghetti: 20 sticks
• Marshmallow: 1
• String: 1 yard
• Masking tape: 1 roll
• Tower Construction: Instruct teams to collaborate and utilize the provided materials to construct the tallest tower possible within a designated time frame.
• Marshmallow Support: Emphasize that the tower must be capable of standing independently and supporting a marshmallow at its highest point.
• Prototype and Iterate: Encourage teams to engage in prototyping and iteration, testing different design approaches and refining their tower structures.
• T eamwork and Communication: Promote effective teamwork and communication as team members coordinate their efforts to build a stable and tall tower.
• Evaluation Criteria: Evaluate each tower based on its height, stability, and the successful placement of the marshmallow at the top.
• Collaboration: Participants collaborate closely, sharing ideas and working together to design and construct the tower.
• Innovative Thinking: The activity encourages innovative thinking as teams experiment with different strategies to build a stable tower.
• Time Management: Teams practice time management skills as they work within a specified time limit to complete the task.
• Problem-Solving: Participants engage in creative problem-solving to address challenges such as balancing the marshmallow and constructing a sturdy tower.
• Adaptability: Teams adapt their approaches based on trial and error, learning from each iteration to improve their tower designs.
• Set Clear Guidelines: Clearly explain the materials, objectives, and evaluation criteria to ensure teams understand the task.
• Foster Creativity: Encourage teams to think outside the box and explore unconventional methods for constructing their towers.
• Emphasize Collaboration: Highlight the importance of effective communication and teamwork to accomplish the task successfully.
• Time Management: Remind teams of the time limit and encourage them to allocate their time wisely between planning and construction.
• Reflect and Share: Facilitate a discussion after the activity, allowing teams to share their design choices, challenges faced, and lessons learned.

Objective: To engage participants in the strategic and analytical world of Sudoku, enhancing logical thinking and problem-solving abilities. 

Estimated Time: 20-25 Minutes 

• Sudoku puzzle sheets
• Pencils with erasers
• Distribute Sudoku puzzle sheets and pencils to each participant.
• Familiarize participants with the rules and mechanics of Sudoku puzzles.
• Explain the goal: to fill in the empty cells with numbers from 1 to 9 while adhering to the rules of no repetition in rows, columns, or subgrids.
• Encourage participants to analyze the puzzle’s layout, identify potential numbers, and strategically fill in cells.
• Emphasize the importance of logical deduction and step-by-step approach in solving the puzzle.
• Provide hints or guidance if needed, ensuring participants remain engaged and challenged.
• Logical Thinking: Sudoku challenges participants’ logical and deductive reasoning, fostering analytical skills.
• Problem-Solving: The intricate interplay of numbers and constraints hones problem-solving abilities.
• Focus and Patience: Participants practice patience and attention to detail while gradually unveiling the solution.
• Pattern Recognition: Identifying number patterns and possibilities contributes to enhanced pattern recognition skills.
• Personal Achievement: Successfully completing a Sudoku puzzle provides a sense of accomplishment and boosts confidence.
• Offer varying levels of Sudoku puzzles to cater to different skill levels.
• Encourage participants to share strategies and techniques for solving specific challenges.
• Highlight the mental workout Sudoku provides and its transferable skills to real-life problem-solving.

Helps With: Communication, Problem-solving, & Management

• A lockable room
• 5-10 puzzles or clues
• Hide the key and a set of clues around the room.
• Lock the room and provide team members with a specific time limit to find the key and escape.
• Instruct the team to work together, solving the puzzles and deciphering the clues to locate the key.
• Encourage efficient communication and effective problem-solving under time pressure.
• Communication Skills: Participants enhance their communication abilities by sharing observations, ideas, and findings to collectively solve puzzles.
• Problem-solving Proficiency: The activity challenges teams to think critically, apply logical reasoning, and collaboratively tackle intricate challenges.
• Team Management: The experience promotes effective team management as members assign tasks, prioritize efforts, and coordinate actions.
• Time Management: The imposed time limit sharpens time management skills as teams strategize and allocate time wisely.
• Adaptability: Teams learn to adapt and adjust strategies based on progress, evolving clues, and time constraints.
• Clear Introduction: Provide a concise overview of the activity, emphasizing the importance of communication, problem-solving, and time management.
• Diverse Challenges: Offer a mix of puzzles and clues to engage various problem-solving skills, catering to different team strengths.
• Supportive Role: Act as a facilitator, offering subtle guidance if needed while allowing teams to independently explore and solve challenges.
• Debriefing Session: Organize a debriefing session afterward to discuss the experience, highlight successful strategies, and identify areas for improvement.
• Encourage Reflection: Encourage participants to reflect on their teamwork, communication effectiveness, and problem-solving approach.

#8. Frostbite for Group Problem Solving Activities

Helps With: Decision Making, Trust, Leadership

• An electric fan
• Construction materials (toothpicks, cardstock, rubber bands, sticky notes, etc.)
• Divide the team into groups of 4-5 people, each with a designated leader.
• Blindfold team members and prohibit leaders from using their hands.
• Provide teams with construction materials and challenge them to build a tent within 30 minutes.
• Test the tents using the fan to see which can withstand high winds.
• Decision-Making Proficiency: Participants are exposed to critical decision-making situations under constraints, allowing them to practice effective and efficient decision-making.
• Trust Development: Blindfolding team members and relying on the designated leaders fosters trust and collaboration among team members.
• Leadership Skills: Designated leaders navigate the challenge without hands-on involvement, enhancing their leadership and communication skills.
• Creative Problem Solving: Teams employ creative thinking and resourcefulness to construct stable tents with limited sensory input.
• Team Cohesion: The shared task and unique constraints promote team cohesion and mutual understanding.
• Role of the Facilitator: Act as an observer, allowing teams to navigate the challenge with minimal intervention. Offer assistance only when necessary.
• Clarity in Instructions: Provide clear instructions regarding blindfolding, leader restrictions, and time limits to ensure a consistent experience.
• Debriefing Session: After the activity, conduct a debriefing session to discuss team dynamics, leadership approaches, and decision-making strategies.
• Encourage Communication: Emphasize the importance of effective communication within teams to ensure smooth coordination and successful tent construction.
• Acknowledge Creativity: Celebrate creative solutions and innovative approaches exhibited by teams during the tent-building process.

#9. Dumbest Idea First

Helps With: Critical Thinking & Creative Problem Solving Activity

Estimated Time: 15-20 Minutes

Materials Needed: A piece of paper, pen, and pencil

• Problem Presentation: Introduce a specific problem to the team, either a real-world challenge or a hypothetical scenario that requires a solution.
• Brainstorming Dumb Ideas: Instruct team members to quickly generate and jot down the most unconventional and seemingly “dumb” ideas they can think of to address the problem.
• Idea Sharing: Encourage each participant to share their generated ideas with the group, fostering a relaxed and open atmosphere for creative expression.
• Viability Assessment: As a team, review and evaluate each idea, considering potential benefits and drawbacks. Emphasize the goal of identifying unconventional approaches.
• Selecting Promising Solutions: Identify which seemingly “dumb” ideas could hold hidden potential or innovative insights. Discuss how these ideas could be adapted into workable solutions.
• Divergent Thinking: Participants engage in divergent thinking, pushing beyond conventional boundaries to explore unconventional solutions.
• Creative Exploration: The activity sparks creative exploration by encouraging participants to let go of inhibitions and embrace imaginative thinking.
• Critical Analysis: Through evaluating each idea, participants practice critical analysis and learn to identify unique angles and aspects of potential solutions.
• Open Communication: The lighthearted approach of sharing “dumb” ideas fosters open communication, reducing fear of judgment and promoting active participation.
• Solution Adaptation: Identifying elements of seemingly “dumb” ideas that have merit encourages participants to adapt and refine their approaches creatively.
• Safe Environment: Foster a safe and non-judgmental environment where participants feel comfortable sharing unconventional ideas.
• Time Management: Set clear time limits for idea generation and sharing to maintain the activity’s energetic pace.
• Encourage Wild Ideas: Emphasize that the goal is to explore the unconventional, urging participants to push the boundaries of creativity.
• Facilitator Participation: Participate in idea generation to demonstrate an open-minded approach and encourage involvement.
• Debriefing Discussion: After the activity, facilitate a discussion on how seemingly “dumb” ideas can inspire innovative solutions and stimulate fresh thinking.

This activity encourages out-of-the-box thinking and creative problem-solving. It allows teams to explore unconventional ideas that may lead to unexpected, yet effective, solutions.

#10: Legoman

Helps With: Foster teamwork, communication, and creativity through a collaborative Lego-building activity.

Estimated Time: 20-30 minutes

• Lego bricks
• Lego instruction manuals

Procedure :

• Divide participants into small teams of 3-5 members.
• Provide each team with an equal set of Lego bricks and a Lego instruction manual.
• Explain that the goal is for teams to work together to construct the Lego model shown in the manual.
• Set a time limit for the building activity based on model complexity.
• Allow teams to self-organize, build, and collaborate to complete the model within the time limit.
• Evaluate each team’s final model compared to the manual’s original design.
• Enhanced Communication: Participants must communicate clearly and listen actively to collaborate effectively.
• Strengthened Teamwork: Combining efforts toward a shared goal promotes camaraderie and team cohesion.
• Creative Problem-Solving: Teams must creatively problem-solve if pieces are missing or instructions unclear.
• Planning and Resource Allocation: Following instructions fosters planning skills and efficient use of resources.
• Sense of Achievement: Completing a challenging build provides a sense of collective accomplishment.
• Encourage Participation: Urge quieter members to contribute ideas and take an active role.
• Highlight Teamwork: Emphasize how cooperation and task coordination are key to success.
• Ensure Equal Engagement: Monitor group dynamics to ensure all members are engaged.
• Allow Creativity: Permit modifications if teams lack exact pieces or wish to get creative.
• Focus on Enjoyment: Create a lively atmosphere so the activity remains energizing and fun.

#11: Minefield

Helps With: Trust, Communication, Patience

Materials Needed: Open space, blindfolds

• Mark a “minefield” on the ground using ropes, cones, or tape. Add toy mines or paper cups.
• Pair up participants and blindfold one partner.
• Position blindfolded partners at the start of the minefield. Direct seeing partners to verbally guide them through to the other side without hitting “mines.”
• Partners switch roles once finished and repeat.
• Time partnerships and provide prizes for the fastest safe crossing.
• Trust Building: Blindfolded partners must trust their partner’s instructions.
• Effective Communication: Giving clear, specific directions is essential for navigating the minefield.
• Active Listening: Partners must listen closely and follow directions precisely.
• Patience & Support: The exercise requires patience and encouraging guidance between partners.
• Team Coordination: Partners must work in sync, coordinating movements and communication.
• Test Boundaries: Ensure the minefield’s size accommodates safe movement and communication.
• Monitor Interactions: Watch for dominant guidance and ensure both partners participate fully.
• Time Strategically: Adjust time limits based on the minefield size and difficulty.
• Add Obstacles: Introduce additional non-mine objects to increase challenge and communication needs.
• Foster Discussion: Debrief afterward to discuss communication approaches and trust-building takeaways.

#12: Reverse Pyramid

Helps With: Teamwork, Communication, Creativity

Materials Needed: 36 cups per group, tables

• Form small groups of 5-7 participants.
• Provide each group with a stack of 36 cups and a designated building area.
• Explain the objective: Build the tallest pyramid starting with just one cup on top.
• Place the first cup on the table, and anyone in the group can add two cups beneath it to form the second row.
• From this point, only the bottom row can be lifted to add the next row underneath.
• Cups in the pyramid can only be touched or supported by index fingers.
• If the structure falls, start over from one cup.
• Offer more cups if a group uses all provided.
• Allow 15 minutes for building.

Teamwork: Collaborate to construct the pyramid.

Communication: Discuss and execute the building strategy.

Creativity: Find innovative ways to build a tall, stable pyramid.

Clarify Expectations: Emphasize the definition of a pyramid with each row having one less cup.

Encourage Perseverance: Motivate groups to continue despite challenges.

Promote Consensus: Encourage groups to work together and help each other.

Reflect on Failure: Use collapses as a metaphor for overcoming obstacles and improving.

Consider Competitions: Modify the activity for competitive teams and scoring.

#13: Stranded

Helps With: Decision-making, Prioritization, Teamwork

Materials Needed: List of salvaged items, paper, pens

• Present a scenario where teams are stranded and must prioritize items salvaged from a plane crash.
• Provide teams with the same list of ~15 salvaged items.
• Instruct teams to agree on an item ranking with #1 being the most important for survival.
• Teams share and compare their prioritized lists. Identify differences in approach.
• Discuss what factors influenced decisions and how teams worked together to agree on priorities.
• Critical Thinking: Weighing item importance requires analytical thinking and discussion.
• Team Decision-Making: Coming to a consensus fosters team decision-making capabilities.
• Prioritization Skills: Ranking items strengthen prioritization and justification abilities.
• Perspective-Taking: Understanding different prioritizations builds perspective-taking skills.
• Team Cohesion: Collaborating toward a shared goal brings teams closer together.
• Encourage Discussion: Urge teams to discuss all ideas rather than allow single members to dominate.
• Be Engaged: Circulate to listen in on team discussions and pose thought-provoking questions.
• Add Complexity: Introduce scenarios with additional constraints to expand critical thinking.
• Highlight Disagreements: When priorities differ, facilitate constructive discussions on influencing factors.
• Recognize Collaboration: Acknowledge teams that demonstrate exceptional teamwork and communication.

Now let’s look at some common types of problem-solving activities.

Types of Problem-Solving Activities

The most common types of problem-solving activities/exercises are:

• Creative problem-solving activities
• Group problem-solving activities
• Individual problem-solving activities
• Fun problem-solving activities, etc.

In the next segments, we’ll be discussing these types of problem-solving activities in detail. So, keep reading!

Creative Problem-Solving Activities

Creative problem solving (CPS) means using creativity to find new solutions. It involves thinking creatively at first and then evaluating ideas later. For example, think of it like brainstorming fun game ideas, discussing them, and then picking the best one to play.

Some of the most common creative problem-solving activities include:

• Legoman: Building creative structures with LEGO.
• Escape: Solving puzzles to escape a room.
• Frostbite: Finding solutions in challenging situations.
• Minefield: Navigating a field of obstacles.

Group Problem-Solving Activities

Group problem-solving activities are challenges that make teams work together to solve puzzles or overcome obstacles. They enhance teamwork and critical thinking.

For instance, think of a puzzle-solving game where a group must find hidden clues to escape a locked room.

Here are the most common group problem-solving activities you can try in groups:

• A Shrinking Vessel
• Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower
• Cardboard Boat Building Challenge
• Clue Murder Mystery
• Escape Room: Jewel Heist
• Escape Room: Virtual Team Building
• Scavenger Hunt
• Dumbest Idea First

Individual Problem-Solving Activities

As the name suggests, individual problem-solving activities are the tasks that you need to play alone to boost your critical thinking ability. They help you solve problems and stay calm while facing challenges in real life. Like puzzles, they make your brain sharper. Imagine it’s like training your brain muscles to handle tricky situations.

Here are some of the most common individual problem-solving activities:

• Puzzles (jigsaw, crossword, sudoku, etc.)
• Brain teasers
• Logic problems
• Optical illusions
• “Escape room” style games

Fun Problem-Solving Activities

Fun problem-solving activities are enjoyable games that sharpen your critical thinking skills while having a blast. Think of activities like the Legoman challenge, escape rooms, or rolling dice games – they make problem-solving exciting and engaging!

And to be frank, all of the mentioned problem-solving activities are fun if you know how to play and enjoy them as all of them are game-like activities.

Team Problems You Can Address Through Problem Solving Activities

Fun problem-solving activities serve as dynamic tools to address a range of challenges that teams often encounter. These engaging activities foster an environment of collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, enabling teams to tackle various problems head-on. Here are some common team problems that can be effectively addressed through these activities:

• Communication Breakdowns:  

Activities like “Escape,” “A Shrinking Vessel,” and “Human Knots” emphasize the importance of clear and effective communication. They require teams to work together, exchange ideas, and devise strategies to accomplish a shared goal. By engaging in these activities, team members learn to communicate more efficiently, enhancing overall team communication in real-world situations.

• Lack of Trust and Cohesion:  

Problem-solving activities promote trust and cohesiveness within teams. For instance, “Frostbite” and “Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower” require teams to collaborate closely, trust each other’s ideas, and rely on each member’s strengths. These activities build a sense of unity and trust, which can translate into improved teamwork and collaboration.

• Innovative Thinking:  

“Dumbest Idea First” and “Egg Drop” encourage teams to think outside the box and explore unconventional solutions. These activities challenge teams to be creative and innovative in their problem-solving approaches, fostering a culture of thinking beyond traditional boundaries when faced with complex issues.

• Decision-Making Challenges:  

Activities like “Onethread” facilitate group decision-making by providing a platform for open discussions and collaborative choices. Problem-solving activities require teams to make decisions collectively, teaching them to weigh options, consider different viewpoints, and arrive at informed conclusions—a skill that is transferable to real-world decision-making scenarios.

• Leadership and Role Clarification:  

Activities such as “Frostbite” and “Egg Drop” designate team leaders and roles within groups. This provides an opportunity for team members to practice leadership, delegation, and role-specific tasks. By experiencing leadership dynamics in a controlled setting, teams can improve their leadership skills and better understand their roles in actual projects.

• Problem-Solving Strategies:  

All of the problem-solving activities involve the application of different strategies. Teams learn to analyze problems, break them down into manageable components, and develop systematic approaches for resolution. These strategies can be adapted to real-world challenges, enabling teams to approach complex issues with confidence.

• Team Morale and Engagement:  

Participating in engaging and enjoyable activities boosts team morale and engagement. These activities provide a break from routine tasks, energize team members, and create a positive and fun atmosphere. Elevated team morale can lead to increased motivation and productivity.

The incentives of event prizes can further stimulate the enthusiasm and participation of team members. The choice of prizes is crucial, as it can directly affect the attractiveness and participation of the event. Among them, Medals are essential prizes.

Medals are symbols of honor awarded to winners and represent the value and achievement of an event.

Medals also have a motivational effect, they encourage team members to pursue higher achievements and progress.

Medals are artistic and aesthetic. They are usually designed by designers according to different occasions and themes and have high collection value.

By incorporating these fun problem-solving activities, teams can address a variety of challenges, foster skill development, and build a more cohesive and effective working environment. As teams learn to collaborate, communicate, innovate, and make decisions collectively, they are better equipped to overcome obstacles and achieve shared goals.

The Benefits of Problem Solving Activities for Your Team

#1 Better Thinking

Problem-solving activities bring out the best in team members by encouraging them to contribute their unique ideas. This stimulates better thinking as team managers evaluate different solutions and choose the most suitable ones.

For example, a remote team struggling with communication benefited from quick thinking and the sharing of ideas, leading to the adoption of various communication modes for improved collaboration.

#2 Better Risk Handling

Team building problem solving activities condition individuals to handle risks more effectively. By engaging in challenging situations and finding solutions, team members develop the ability to respond better to stressful circumstances.

#3 Better Communication

Regular communication among team members is crucial for efficient problem-solving. Engaging in problem-solving activities fosters cooperation and communication within the team, resulting in better understanding and collaboration. Using tools like OneThread can further enhance team communication and accountability.

#4 Improved Productivity Output

When teams work cohesively, overall productivity improves, leading to enhanced profit margins for the company or organization. Involving managers and team members in problem-solving activities can positively impact the company’s growth and profitability.

How Onethread Enhances the Effect of Problem Solving Activities

Problem-solving activities within teams thrive on collaborative efforts and shared perspectives. Onethread emerges as a potent facilitator, enabling teams to collectively tackle challenges and harness diverse viewpoints with precision. Here’s a comprehensive view of how Onethread amplifies team collaboration in problem-solving initiatives:

Open Channels for Discussion:

Onethread’s real-time messaging feature serves as a dedicated hub for open and seamless discussions. Teams can engage in brainstorming sessions, share insightful observations, and propose innovative solutions within a flexible environment. Asynchronous communication empowers members to contribute their insights at their convenience, fostering comprehensive problem analysis with ample deliberation.

Centralized Sharing of Resources:

Effective problem-solving often hinges on access to pertinent resources. Onethread’s document sharing functionality ensures that critical information, references, and research findings are centralized and readily accessible. This eradicates the need for cumbersome email attachments and enables team members to collaborate with precise and up-to-date data.

Efficient Task Allocation and Monitoring:

Problem-solving journeys comprise a series of tasks and actions. Onethread’s task management capability streamlines the delegation of specific responsibilities to team members. Assign tasks related to research, data analysis, or solution implementation and monitor progress in real time. This cultivates a sense of accountability and guarantees comprehensive coverage of every facet of the problem-solving process.

Facilitated Collaborative Decision-Making: Navigating intricate problems often demands collective decision-making. Onethread’s collaborative ecosystem empowers teams to deliberate over potential solutions, assess pros and cons, and make well-informed choices. Transparent discussions ensure that decisions are comprehensively comprehended and supported by the entire team.

Seamless Documentation and Insights Sharing:

As the problem-solving journey unfolds, the accumulation of insights and conclusions becomes pivotal. Onethread’s collaborative document editing feature empowers teams to document their discoveries, chronicle the steps undertaken, and showcase successful solutions. This shared repository of documentation serves as a valuable resource for future reference and continuous learning.

With Onethread orchestrating the backdrop, team collaboration during problem-solving activities transforms into a harmonious fusion of insights, ideas, and actionable steps.

What are the 5 problem-solving skills?

The top 5 problem-solving skills in 2023 are critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and data literacy. Most employers seek these skills in their workforce.

What are the steps of problem-solving?

Problem-solving steps are as follows: 1. Define the problem clearly. 2. Analyze the issue in detail. 3. Generate potential solutions. 4. Evaluate these options. 5. Choose the best solution. 6. Put the chosen solution into action. 7. Measure the outcomes to assess effectiveness and improvements made. These sequential steps assist in efficient and effective problem resolution.

How do you teach problem-solving skills?

Teaching problem-solving involves modelling effective methods within a context, helping students grasp the problem, dedicating ample time, asking guiding questions, and giving suggestions. Connect errors to misconceptions to enhance understanding, fostering a straightforward approach to building problem-solving skills.

So here is all about “activities for problem solving”.No matter which activity you choose, engaging in problem-solving activities not only provides entertainment but also helps enhance cognitive abilities such as critical thinking, decision making, and creativity. So why not make problem solving a regular part of your routine?

Take some time each day or week to engage in these activities and watch as your problem-solving skills grow stronger. Plus, it’s an enjoyable way to pass the time and challenge yourself mentally.

So go ahead, grab a puzzle or gather some friends for a game night – get ready to have fun while sharpening your problem-solving skills!

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Key Activities – Be Unique In What You Do

In this section of the business model canvas building blocks, you’ll learn how to combine your key activities to be unique. Discover what are key activities and how to decide which activities provide the best solution.

Table of Contents

Key Activities Overview

Not every activity in the business delivers value even though it may be important. The key activities section focuses on the tasks that need to be done to deliver the value proposition and achieve the overall purpose of the business.

As Simon Sinek lays out in his book Start with Why , a company needs to define its overall long term value and purpose. Key activities depend on the overall business model of the company, its market, customer segments and value proposition.

When looking at different companies it is often easy to understand the core activities that help to sustain and grow their business model. As an example, when analysing Microsoft it is easy to see that they are in the software business and therefore software development is a core activity. Likewise, a car company like BMW needs to be excellent at engineering and production.

What are key activities in a business model canvas?

Overall, key activities are those processes, tasks and activities that clients will identify with your product or service. They will ideally be hard to imitate and for competitors to replicate.

When assessing your business through the Key Activities building block it is important to take an overall view of the business and link to other building blocks such as Key Partners. It might be a good choice at times to use Key Partners to do some of the activities rather than your business. As an example, some activities might take need a heavy investment in infrastructure if they were key activities and therefore would ideally be better as partners.

Questions To Consider

Some of the considerations for key activities are:

• What Key Activities do our value proposition require?
• What Key Activities are needed for our Distribution Channels?
• What Key Activities do we need to deliver our Customer Relationships?
• What Key Activities relate to our Revenue Streams?

1. What key activities do our value propositions require?

If your value proposition is to deliver a high-quality service then a key activity will be the support services you put in place to deliver that promise of value.

If on the other hand you you offered value for money and positioned yourself as no-frills, then you would need to eliminate all activities that were not essential and just focus on those that help to keep costs low. As an example, Aldi has a no-frills retail environment and offers alternatives to branded products.

If you are Apple then design, engineering and branding form the core activities.

2. What core activities are needed for our distribution channels?

Imagine that your core business will be to produce naturally sourced non-leather shoes that are produced from organic materials and you are eco-friendly and carbon neutral. You could sell your shoes through Amazon, on your own website or potentially through retail stores.

If you only sell online then a core activity will be the activities related to online marketing and eCommerce. If you sell through physical stores then you need to have activities related to running stores, training staff…

3. What Key Activities do we need to deliver our Customer Relationships?

The key activities that relate to customer relationships involve activities such as sales, marketing and of course customer service. You need to evaluate what are the activities that you need to deliver against the customer relationships you defined earlier. Of course, any activities you define will have associated costs to them.

A consultancy needs to generate customers and therefore requires business development, lead generation activities.

4. What Key Activities Relate To Our Revenue Streams?

If within your business model you offer subscription services then you need to be able to bill customers on a regular basis and provide the necessary support.

Business Model Key Activities

The Value Proposition determines the types of key activities that will be critical to the business. At the early stages of developing a business, it is important to remember that the business model needs to reach a point where it can be tested. In other words, if the value proposition fits the market. If in designing the process too many activities are added to this block it can delay the overall testing of the value proposition and run the risk of the key activities not necessarily all being needed. This is often referred to as bloat.

Examples of Core Business Activities

These are some of the key activities that fit different types of business models:

1. Production

Production consists of many different activities.

For example, Fashion companies like Zara specialize in spotting trends and being first to market with them. This is because Zara Business Model focuses on a highly efficient process for moving from design to production to merchandising the products in-store.

Here are a few for you to consider as you develop your business model:

• Selection of product and design:  the first step is to design the for the product or services. While product design is more tangible services design can be more complex. In many cases because of the need for digital services both are complementary processes. Choosing the right combination of features for a product and functions is how you match your product to the value proposition. Value engineering and value analysis are parts of this activity.
• Selection of Production Process:  this stage consists of deciding what production process the company requires. Key considerations are how and what blend of technologies are right needed, e.g. machines, inventory management system, etc.
• Production Capacity:  The production management must have full knowledge of the expected demand for the product and also be able to have room to meet future demand. Break-even analysis is the most popular methods are often used by production managers to predict capacity.
• Production Planning:  Production planning is usually based on forecasted sales and predictions. For established products forecasting can often be extremely accurate. However, for new product launches and instances where demand can fluctuate e.g. seasonal demand, forecasting and production planning becomes more difficult. As an example, Toys can be both seasonal and volatile, often the popularity of a toy can outstrip forecasts and/or production capacity. Hence sometimes toys become unavailable over Christmas.
• Production Control:  The production manager is also responsible for monitoring and controlling the production process. This is done by comparing planned production with actual production, exploring deviations if any and ultimately correcting these deviations to meet planned production.
• Quality and Cost Control:  Customers want the maximum quality for the cheapest price. Moreover, customer expectations of service levels and communications are continually shifting. In essence, customers are becoming more demanding. Quality and costs have to be controlled and new ways of improving quality while lowering costs are constant business pressure.
• Inventory Control:  Inventory Control is fundamental a production-driven part of the business which aims to meet demand in the market. Understocking causes lost sales, disappointed customers and leads to poor customer experience. On the other hand, too much stock means that cash is tied up in the business that could be used to generate sales instead.
• Maintenance and Replacement of Machines:  The production manager must be on top of the condition of the machines under his function by constantly monitoring them and scheduling regular maintenance like oiling, replacing worn parts, cleaning, etc. This function ensures that there are no unexpected breaks in production.

2. Marketing

Marketing is a core activity for many businesses. In fact, some business outsources production and many other parts of the business leaving sales and marketing as sales and marketing. Some of the activities associated with are:

• Strategy:  Marketing strategy involves selecting what resources are needed to grow the business in which markets based on the products and services the business creates. As an example, Apple will develop a strategy have chosen to enter a new market with Apple music and to compete with Spotify, likewise, it chose to enter the video streaming business to compete with Netflix. Are these their core activities or do they support the sales of their hardware?
• Market Research:  Market research focuses on understanding customers and shift in customer behaviour.
• Product Development:  Marketing teams are often the custodians of the customer data, analytics and the overall customer relationship. As a result, marketing teams work closely with R&D and product development teams.
• Communications:  The marketing team is responsible for all communication and maintaining consistency with the overall brand. Marketing is thus charged with delivering the overall growth within a business.
• Sales Support:  Your business model may rely on Business to Business ( B2B ) or business to consumer (B2C) relationships. Sales teams are more dominant in B2B companies that usually are selling higher-value products and services.
• Events:  Marketing is also responsible for organizing and executing events such as seminars, product launches, exhibitions, etc. they will typically call key or prospective customers to such events as well.

Types Of Key Activities Used In the Business Model

In the business model three types of activities are highlighted:

• Problem-solving
• Platform/Network

These activities are generally a characteristic of manufacturing firms and entail the design, creation and delivery of products. However, with the development of sensors and also digital systems products are becoming entwined with services. Car manufacturers, consumer electronics and drug companies are just a few examples of companies that rely on production as a key activity.

2. Problem Solving

Consultancies, hospitals, wellness clinics, spas and many other service companies typically aim to solve customer problems uniquely. These organizations are characterized by knowledge management, continuous learning and reliance on people with the necessary talent. In the digital era systems are learning to capture knowledge and use it to diagnose problems and present solutions. Though far from perfect this is an ongoing era of development with AI.

3. Platform/Network

Have you noticed how many of the top valued businesses rely on a platform business model? Facebook, Alibaba, eBay and many other billion-dollar companies are platforms. But platforms also offer Software as a Service such as Salesforce .

Essentially, platforms and networks are easy to scale because of low or zero marginal costs.

Example of a Platform Business Model

Auction house D.Art  (“platform business”)  organises its yearly modern art-painting auction in Zürich. The auction  (“infrastructure”)  is a well-known event that will help to make the paintings of young talented artists  (“producers”)  and art collectors  (“consumers”)  more accessible to each on an as-need basis. Experts  (“agents”)  are present to advise groups of collectors on relevant artists  (“trust”) .

As D.Art does not own the paintings, it simply lays out the rules of interactions  (“eliminate friction”)  to enable the information exchanges  (“value creation”)  between the artists and collectors followed by compensation through money, goods and/or services, and fees for D.Art  (“monetising strategy”) .

NEXT SECTION

In the next section, you will learn all about Key Partnerships and how to choose the best partnerships for your business model.

13 Best Problem Solving Games, Activities & Exercises for the Workplace

8 mins read

by Pete Ford

Updated On Jun 21, 2024

In today's rapidly evolving business world, the ability to solve problems effectively and efficiently is paramount. While it is crucial to understand the problem thoroughly, it is equally important not to overanalyze it to the point of inaction. Instead, the focus should be on identifying actionable solutions quickly and implementing them efficiently. Effective problem solving capabilities enable teams to identify root causes, develop innovative solutions, and implement changes that drive business success. Tackling significant challenges head-on, even when the odds are not favorable, is essential for transformative results.

Moreover, cultivating a culture of problem solving fosters a sense of autonomy and empowerment among employees. As games improve problem solving skills, teams become more independent, reducing the need for constant supervision. In addition, when individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together to tackle challenges, the synergy created can lead to groundbreaking solutions and significant advancements for the organizations. 

Workplace Problem Solving Games and Activities:

Just as you can't learn to write a novel solely by reading about it, or to swim merely by observing others, true mastery of problem solving skills requires more than just theory. It demands immersion and action. That's why, when fostering problem solving abilities in your employees, it's essential to engage them in practical exercises that simulate real-world challenges. Through engaging in challenging fun problem solving games for adults, teams develop the skills and confidence to effectively navigate real-world challenges. 

According to a report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) , problem solving skills are listed among the top skills required in the workplace by 2025. The large group problem solving activities for employees mentioned below are designed to enhance the critical thinking skills , creativity, and collaborative capabilities of your teams. These activities are not just problem solving exercises for teams, they are strategic investments in building a workforce that can navigate complexities, innovate solutions, and drive the organization towards its goals. 

By engaging in structured problem solving group activities, teams learn to tackle challenges methodically and develop a proactive mindset essential for overcoming obstacles in today’s dynamic business environment.

We have carefully divided workplace problem solving activities into 3 distinct categories that cater to different aspects of problem solving skills:

• Team-Based Problem Solving Activities
• Creative Problem-Solving Activities
• Quick and Easy Problem-Solving Activities

Team-Based Problem Solving Activities:

Team-Based Problem Solving Activities form the foundation for effective problem solving within a team, emphasizing crucial elements like communication, trust, and collaboration. As Vusi Thembekwayo once remarked, “To achieve anything in business, you need relationships based on trust.” This quote underscores the significance of fostering a trusting environment where team members feel comfortable working together, leveraging each other's strengths to tackle challenges with greater efficiency and creativity.

Via Edstellar

1. A Shrinking Vessel Training Activity:

“A Shrinking Vessel” is one of the dynamic and simple problem solving exercises for team building that challenges participants to adapt quickly to changing conditions.

This is one of the team-problem solving activities that involves employees standing within a defined space that gradually shrinks, requiring them to strategize and cooperate to stay within the boundaries.

How to Conduct the “A Shrinking Vessel” Activity:

• This is one of the hands-on problem solving activities (adults can engage in) that requires a large, open area that can be marked with boundaries.
• Use tape or rope to create a large initial boundary that all employees can comfortably stand within.
• Gather all workers within the boundary.
• Explain that the boundary will gradually shrink, and that workers must remain within the shrinking area.
• Begin this problem solving activity by gradually reducing the size of the boundary every 2-3 minutes.
• Use a predetermined signal (like a whistle) to indicate when the boundary is shrinking.
• Continue to reduce the boundary until it becomes challenging for employees to stay within the area.
• End the activity when it becomes impossible for them to stay within the boundary.

Key Takeaways

Employees learn to adapt quickly to changing constraints, enhancing their ability to communicate and collaborate effectively under pressure. These problem solving, team building games fosters creativity by requiring teams to develop strategies to navigate the shrinking space, encouraging flexibility and teamwork in dynamic environments.

Video:- Shrinking Vessel

2. Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower Training Activity:

“Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower” is one of the creative, engaging  and complex problem solving activities for adults where teams use spaghetti, tape, and string to build the tallest possible structure that can support a marshmallow on top.

How to Conduct the “Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower” Activity:

• To play one of these teamwork problem solving activities, you have to gather the employees and divide them into teams.
• Provide each team with 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow.
• Ensure each team has a flat surface to work on.
• Explain that teams have 18 minutes to build the tallest free-standing structure using the materials provided, with a marshmallow on top.
• Start the timer and let teams begin constructing their towers.
• Encourage teams to experiment with different designs and structural concepts.
• Once the time is up, measure the height of each structure from the base to the top of the marshmallow.
• Announce the winning team with the tallest structure.
• Discuss the different strategies used by each of the teams and what they learned from engaging in these kinds of business problem solving exercises for adults.

Key Takeaways:

Through these creative problem solving exercises, employees enhance their skills by brainstorming and constructing innovative designs with limited resources. These problem solving exercises for groups emphasize the importance of planning, adaptability, and teamwork, as the workforce must work together to build the tallest possible tower. Through trial and error, they learn to manage constraints and effectively communicate their ideas, fostering a collaborative approach to achieving shared goals.

3. Egg Drop Challenge Training Activity:

The “Egg Drop Challenge” is an exciting problem solving activity where teams design and build a structure to protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a height.

How to Conduct the “Egg Drop Challenge” Activity:

• Divide the employees into teams and provide each team with materials such as straws, tape, newspaper, rubber bands, and plastic bags.
• Ensure each team has an egg and a designated drop zone.
• Explain that the teams have 30 minutes to design and construct a protective device for their egg using the provided materials.
• Start the timer and let the teams begin constructing their protective devices.
• Encourage teams to think creatively and test their designs.
• Drop each egg from a predetermined height (e.g., 10 feet) onto a hard surface.
• Check if the egg survives the drop without breaking.
• Discuss which designs were successful and why, focusing on the problem solving processes used.

Employees develop innovative thinking and problem solving skills by designing and building a structure to protect an egg from breaking when dropped. This activity highlights the importance of resource management, creative engineering, and teamwork as they must brainstorm, test, and iterate their designs. By analyzing the effectiveness of their structures and learning from failures, employees enhance their ability to tackle complex challenges and improve their collaborative problem solving capabilities.

4. Stranded Training Activity:

“Stranded”, similar to “Lost at Sea” problem solving activity, is a strategic survival simulation where teams must plan and prioritize essential actions and resources to ensure their survival on a deserted island.

How to Conduct the “Stranded” Activity:

• Divide the Employees into teams and provide each team with a list of hypothetical resources available on the island (e.g., rope, tarp, matches, water).
• Explain a scenario that the teams are stranded on a deserted island and must decide how to use the available resources to survive.
• Give teams 30 minutes to discuss and prioritize their actions and resource use.
• Encourage them to consider factors like shelter, water, food, and signaling for rescue.
• Have each team present their survival plan to all the teams participating in the activity.
• Encourage the teams to ask questions and discuss each plan.
• Discuss the strategies used by each team and what the teams learned about problem solving and resource management.

By indulging in critical thinking, problem solving exercises, employees enhance their strategic problem solving skills by planning survival strategies in a simulated deserted island scenario. This activity emphasizes the importance of prioritization, resource management, and adaptability in high-pressure situations. By collaborating on survival plans, employees learn to analyze available resources, make quick decisions, and work as a cohesive team to overcome complex challenges.

Creative Problem-Solving Activities:

Creative problem solving activities for adults encourage employees to think outside the box and explore innovative solutions to challenges. These team building, problem solving exercises for employees would help them to break free from conventional thinking patterns and develop a more flexible, imaginative approach to problem solving.

By fostering creativity, these team building, problem solving activities can lead to more effective and unique solutions.

5. Legoman Training Activity:

“Legoman” is a communication-focused activity where one participant describes a pre-built Lego structure, and the rest of the team attempts to recreate it based on the verbal instructions alone. This is one the creative problem solving games that emphasizes the importance of clear and effective communication.

How to Conduct the “Legoman” Activity:

• Pre-build a Lego structure and keep it hidden from the employees.
• Divide the workers into teams and provide each team with the same set of Lego pieces.
• Select one team member from each team to view the pre-built structure and describe it to their team without using their hands or showing the structure.
• Start the timer and have the describer begin giving instructions to their team.
• The rest of the teams should build the structure based solely on the verbal instructions given by their team members.
• Once the time is up, compare each team’s structure with the original.
• Discuss any discrepancies and the communication challenges faced by each team.
• Discuss what worked well and what could be improved in the communication process.

From the “Legoman” activity, employees develop their communication and collaborative problem solving skills by reconstructing a hidden Lego structure based solely on verbal descriptions. This exercise highlights the importance of precise communication, active listening, and teamwork. It also demonstrates how effective problem solving relies on clear instructions and the ability to interpret and act on those instructions accurately. By engaging in this activity, teams learn to coordinate their efforts and improve their ability to tackle complex tasks collectively.

6. Escape Room Training Activity:

“Escape Room” is an immersive team adventure that requires participants to solve a series of puzzles and find clues within a set time to "escape" from a themed room.

How to Conduct the “Escape Room” Activity:

• Create puzzles and hide clues within a designated room.
• Set up a theme and backstory to make the activity engaging.
• Divide employees into small teams.
• Explain the objective that the teams should solve all the puzzles and escape the room within a set time (e.g., 60 minutes).
• Start the timer and let teams begin solving the puzzles.
• Monitor the teams, offering hints if they get stuck.
• End the activity when a team escapes the room or when the time runs out.
• Discuss the strategies used by the teams and the importance of teamwork and critical thinking.

The “Escape Room” is one of the critical thinking and problem solving exercises that emphasizes teamwork and creative problem solving as the workforce work together to solve puzzles and find clues within a set time limit. This activity demonstrates the importance of collaboration, strategic thinking, and effective communication in overcoming challenges. Employees learn to leverage each other's strengths, think under pressure, and develop a unified approach to problem solving, making it a powerful tool for enhancing the teams’ dynamics and problem solving capabilities in the workplace.

7. Frostbite Training Activity:

“Frostbite” is a survival-themed activity where teams are tasked with building a shelter in extreme conditions, simulating a scenario where one member is incapacitated. This exercise tests the team's ability to strategize and cooperate under pressure.

How to Conduct the “Frostbite” Activity:

• Provide materials such as cardboard, tape, and blankets.
• Divide the employees into teams and assign one team member of each team the role of having "frostbite," meaning they cannot use their hands.
• Explain the scenario that teams must build a shelter that can hold all team members within a time limit.
• Start the timer and let teams begin constructing their shelters.
• Encourage teams to strategize and work around the constraint of the incapacitated member.
• Evaluate the shelters based on stability and effectiveness.
• Discuss the problem solving techniques used under pressure and the importance of teamwork.

In the “Frostbite” activity, employees have to strategize and communicate effectively to build a shelter while managing the handicap of "frostbite," a condition that limits their hands' use. These exercises to improve problem solving skills teaches employees about adaptability, resourcefulness, and teamwork under constraints.

In addition, it also teaches the value of resilience, creative problem solving, and the ability to function efficiently despite physical or situational limitations. The experience underscores how overcoming obstacles through innovative thinking and teamwork can lead to successful outcomes in challenging environments.

8. Blind Formation Training Activity:

“Blind Formation” is a team-building exercise where participants are blindfolded and must form specific shapes or patterns based on verbal instructions from their teammates. This activity focuses on enhancing communication, trust, and coordination among team members.

How to Conduct the “Blind Formation” Activity:

• Choose a large, open space where the workforce can move freely.
• Prepare blindfolds for each employee.
• Divide the employees into teams and explain to them that the objective is to form a specific shape or pattern while being blindfolded.
• Assign one or more team members from each team as guides who will provide verbal instructions to their blindfolded teams.
• Blindfold all the team members except the designated guides.
• Ensure that the blindfolds are secure and that employees cannot see.
• Start the activity by instructing the guides to direct their teammates to form the desired shape (e.g., a square, a triangle, or a circle).
• Allow 10-15 minutes for the formation process.
• Once the time is up or the shape is formed, remove the blindfolds and evaluate the accuracy of the formation.
• Discuss the challenges that the teams faced during the activity and the effectiveness of the communication strategies used.

The “Blind Formation” activity emphasizes the importance of non-verbal communication, trust, and team coordination as the employees must rely on their senses and the guidance of their teammates to form shapes or patterns while blindfolded. This exercise teaches the value of clear instructions, active listening, and the ability to adapt quickly to feedback. It highlights how effective teamwork and trust can overcome communication barriers and achieve complex tasks, fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment.

Quick and Easy Problem-Solving Activities:

Quick and easy problem solving games offer teams an efficient way to enhance their problem solving skills without requiring a significant time investment. These team-problem solving games and activities are designed to be brief yet effective, promoting quick thinking, collaboration, and efficient problem resolution.

Engaging in quick group problem solving exercises for adults would help employees to cultivate the ability to think on their feet and make swift decisions. This rapid decision-making capability is essential for driving innovation and growth, as it enables teams to iterate quickly and adapt to changing circumstances.

9. Line Up Blind Training Activity:

“Line Up Blind” is one of the simple, yet challenging and fun problem solving activities where blindfolded participants must line up in a specific order (e.g., by height, age, or alphabetical order) without verbal communication. This is one of the best problem solving games that emphasizes non-verbal communication and cooperation.

How to Conduct the “Line Up Blind” Activity:

• These cooperative problem solving activities require a large, open space.
• Explain the objective that the workers must line up in a specific order while blindfolded.
• Clarify that height is the order criteria to be followed for the activity.
• Blindfold all workers and ensure they cannot see.
• Start the activity and allow employees to communicate non-verbally to find their position in the line.
• Once the time is up, have the employees remove their blindfolds and check the accuracy of the line-up.
• Discuss the strategies used by the workers for non-verbal communication and the challenges they faced during these easy problem solving activities.

The “Line Up Blind” activity focuses on enhancing non-verbal communication, trust, and problem solving under constraints as employees must rely on alternative forms of communication and collaboration to line up by height while blindfolded. This exercise highlights the importance of clear, non-verbal cues and teamwork in solving problems when traditional communication methods are unavailable. It also emphasizes the value of trust among team members and the ability to adapt to unexpected challenges, fostering a supportive and innovative work environment.

10. Reverse Pyramid Training Activity:

“Reverse Pyramid” is a strategic activity where teams must invert a pyramid of cups following specific rules. This is one of the activities for problem solving that encourages strategic planning, teamwork, and attention to detail.

How to Conduct the “Reverse Pyramid” Activity:

• Divide the employees in teams and provide each team with a stack of cups arranged in a pyramid (base of four cups, then three, two, and one on top).
• Explain to the teams that the objective is to invert the pyramid by following specific rules (e.g., only moving one cup at a time).
• Start the timer and allow teams to begin inverting the pyramid.
• Monitor the teams to ensure they follow the rules.
• The activity ends when the pyramid is successfully inverted or the time runs out.
• Discuss the strategies used by the teams and the challenges they faced.

The “Reverse Pyramid” activity focuses on strategic thinking, collaboration, and innovative problem solving as employees work together to invert a pyramid of cups by following specific rules, requiring careful planning and coordination. This exercise demonstrates the importance of strategic planning, effective communication, and teamwork in achieving complex goals. By overcoming the challenges of the activity, workers learn to approach problems methodically, think creatively, and collaborate effectively, reinforcing the skills necessary for addressing real-world organizational challenges.

11. Move It! Training Activity:

“Move It!” is an engaging activity where teams must move an object from point A to point B using limited resources. This exercise promotes resourcefulness, teamwork, and creative problem solving.

How to Conduct the “Move It!” Activity:

• Select an object and designate a starting point (A) and an endpoint (B).
• Divide employees into teams and provide teams with limited resources (e.g., ropes, planks, cardboard).
• Explain the objective is to move the object from point A to point B using only the provided resources.
• Give teams 10 minutes to plan their strategy.
• Start the timer and allow teams to begin moving the object.
• Monitor the teams to ensure they use only the provided resources.
• The activity ends when the object reaches point B or the time runs out.
• Discuss the strategies used by each team and the problem solving processes that they followed.

As employees move an object from point A to point B using limited resources, the "Move It!" activity emphasizes the importance of resourcefulness, creativity, and collaborative problem solving. This activity promotes innovative thinking and efficient resource management by encouraging employees to think creatively. This activity helps teams develop the ability to adapt quickly, think outside the box, and effectively coordinate their efforts to overcome challenges. By engaging in this exercise, employees enhance their problem solving skills and learn to optimize the use of available resources to achieve common goals.

12. Human Knot Training Activity:

“Human Knot” is a classic team-building activity where participants form a human knot by holding hands with two different people across the circle.

How to Conduct the “Human Knot” Activity:

• Have employees stand in a circle and extend their right hand to someone across the circle.
• Repeat with the left hand, ensuring they hold hands with different people.
• Explain the objective is to untangle the human knot without letting go of hands.
• Start the timer and allow workers to begin untangling the knot.
• Monitor the workers and provide encouragement.
• The activity ends when the knot is untangled, or employees return to a single circle.
• Discuss the communication and problem solving strategies used by the employees.

The "Human Knot" activity fosters team collaboration and problem solving skills by encouraging employees to communicate effectively and work together to untangle themselves. It highlights the importance of patience, strategic thinking, and collective effort in achieving a common goal. This exercise also builds trust and strengthens interpersonal relationships within the team, essential for seamless teamwork in a professional setting.

13. Dumbest Idea Ever Training Activity:

“Dumbest Idea First” is a brainstorming activity where employees initially suggest the worst possible ideas for problem solving. Activities such as this emphasize on unconventional thinking or “out-of-the-box” thinking, that would help employees to solve complex problems in an efficient manner.

How to Conduct the “Dumbest Idea First” Activity:

• Choose a problem or challenge for the brainstorming session.
• Provide each worker with a pen and paper.
• Explain the objective is to come up with the worst possible ideas to solve the problem.
• Start the timer and allow employees to write down their dumbest ideas.
• Encourage creativity and humor.
• After 10 minutes, have the employee share their ideas with the rest of the group participating in the activity.
• Discuss why the ideas are impractical and how they can be improved.
• Encourage employees to refine the worst ideas into workable solutions.
• Discuss the creative process and the benefits of starting with the worst ideas.

The "Dumbest Idea First" activity encourages creative thinking and open-mindedness by allowing employees to voice unconventional ideas without fear of judgment. It demonstrates the value of a safe and inclusive environment where all suggestions are welcomed, fostering innovation and out-of-the-box solutions. This exercise highlights the importance of embracing diverse perspectives to drive collective problem solving and enhance team creativity.

How Problem Solving Skills Apply to Various Job Functions

1. problem solving skills for marketing teams: .

Marketing teams rely extensively on problem solving skills to navigate critical challenges. One of their primary challenges would be to enhance lead conversions, where strategic analysis of funnel metrics and identification of bottlenecks are of utmost importance. Problem-solving skills enables them to devise tailored campaigns and initiatives that address specific barriers to conversion, thereby optimizing marketing efforts for measurable business impact.

Budget limitations often restrict marketing initiatives and resource allocation. Marketing teams need to creatively optimize spending, prioritize high-impact activities, and find cost-effective solutions to achieve desired outcomes. Problem-solving abilities enable them to analyze budget constraints, explore alternative strategies, negotiate effectively with vendors, and maximize ROI on marketing investments without compromising quality or effectiveness. Edstellar’s Marketing Excellence program is meticulously designed to help organizations maximize reach, drive engagement and nurture long-lasting consumer relationships.

2. Problem Solving Skills for Sales Teams: 

Problem-solving skills enable sales professionals to navigate diverse customer needs effectively. Sales professionals often encounter conflicts or disagreements during negotiations or interactions with clients. Advanced problem solving skills enable them to navigate these situations diplomatically, resolve conflicts amicably, and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders. 

Problem-solving skills empower sales professionals to analyze market trends, identify emerging opportunities, and pivot strategies swiftly. Sales teams can utilize their skills to optimize resources effectively. Whether it's time management, budget allocation, or leveraging internal expertise, they can streamline operations and maximize efficiency in achieving sales objectives. Edstellar’s Sales Excellence program offers custom-crafted framework for organizations to amplify sales, expand profits, and enhance customer satisfaction. 

3. Problem Solving Skills for Customer Service Teams: 

Customer service teams encounter a wide range of customer issues and complaints on a daily basis. Problem-solving skills enable them to quickly analyze the root causes of these issues, identify appropriate solutions, and implement corrective actions. 

By resolving issues promptly and effectively, customer service teams enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. Not every customer issue can be resolved with a standard response. Problem-solving skills enable customer service teams to assess each situation individually, evaluate options, and tailor solutions to meet the specific needs and preferences of customers.

Satisfied customers are more likely to recommend the company to others, write positive reviews, and become loyal brand advocates. Problem-solving skills thus contribute to enhancing brand reputation and attracting new customers through word-of-mouth referrals. Edstellar’s Customer Service Excellence program is specially designed to improve customer satisfaction for an organization’s products or services.

4. Problem Solving Skills for Human Resources Teams: 

HR professionals frequently encounter conflicts among employees or between employees and management. Problem-solving skills equip HR teams to identify the root causes of conflicts, facilitate constructive dialogue, and negotiate mutually beneficial resolutions. Problem-solving skills enable HR professionals to address recruitment challenges, such as skill shortages or competitive hiring markets, by devising innovative sourcing strategies and refining candidate selection processes. 

Managing employee performance requires HR teams to address underperformance issues, set clear performance expectations, and provide constructive feedback. Problem-solving skills help HR professionals to assess performance gaps, identify underlying issues, and implement targeted improvement plans. 

Problem-solving skills empower HR professionals to address workplace issues affecting morale, such as workload imbalances or communication breakdowns. Edstellar’s Human Resource Excellence program is designed to support organizations to improve employee retention, foster a highly engaged and productive workforce and boost organizational culture.  

5. Problem Solving Skills for Operations Teams:

Operations teams are responsible for managing risks associated with supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes, or technological failures. Problem-solving skills enable them to anticipate potential risks, develop contingency plans, and swiftly address unforeseen challenges. This proactive risk management minimizes disruptions and ensures business continuity. 

Problem solving skills activities facilitate effective collaboration across these functions by fostering clear communication, mutual understanding of objectives, and alignment on strategic priorities. Problem solving skills enable them to assess resource needs, allocate budgets effectively, and optimize the use of manpower and materials. By making informed decisions based on data-driven analysis, operations teams enhance resource utilization and achieve cost savings. Edstellar’s Operations Excellence program empowers organizations to optimize workflows, reduce operational costs, enhance productivity, and ensure swift and efficient decision-making. 

6. Problem Solving Skills for Information Technology (IT) Teams:

Problem-solving skills enable IT teams to swiftly diagnose and resolve complex technical issues, minimizing downtime and ensuring seamless operations across the organization. From implementing cutting-edge technologies to enhancing cybersecurity measures, IT teams leverage their problem solving capabilities to drive innovation and stay ahead in the technological space. 

By understanding business needs, anticipating future trends, and prioritizing projects, IT teams ensure that their solutions contribute directly to achieving business objectives. These skills would be beneficial for cohesive teamwork, accelerating project delivery, and ensuring that IT solutions meet the diverse needs of the organization. Edstellar’s IT Excellence program is crafted to help organizations with key areas such as cyber security, cloud computing, and data analytics. 

As teams journey through problem solving training activities, they will discover the transformative power of practical learning experiences. It is important for employees to immerse themselves in problem solving in games to enhance their critical thinking abilities and collaboration skills. Utilizing best games to improve problem solving skills, during corporate training sessions can significantly enhance participants' ability to think strategically and work collaboratively under pressure.

Organizations can create their own business problem solving activities (corporate problem solving activities conducted for employees) by referring to this blog as examples of problem solving activities and the necessary steps to be taken during and after the events. At Edstellar, we understand the significance of honing problem solving skills in fostering organizational success.

Our courses are meticulously designed to bridge the skill gap and empower individuals to tackle challenges head-on. With a team of experienced trainers conducting problem solving training , team building exercises and guiding them, employees can gain valuable insights and practical strategies to address real-world problems effectively.

By Pete Ford

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Key Activities – Building Block in Business Model Canvas

Published: 26 December, 2023

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Business Models

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Table of Contents

Key Activities “Value Chain” in the Business Model Canvas can sometimes be challenging to discuss important business concepts, even when you’re an expert like the folks we have at Digital Leadership. A lot of terms are thrown around without a lot of definition or description.

Key Activities is a term that’s often used interchangeably with core activities, and these ties directly into your business’s value chain and value propositions: in other words, how you bring value to your customers , address their Jobs to be Done and solve customer problems uniquely. They are the essential tasks needed to deliver value to customers.

In this article, we discuss how key activities define your business model, how they assist in value creation, and how to separate key activities from non-core activities that may be distracting you from success.

Key Activities in Business Model Canvas

The original concept of core activities, supporting activities and Value Chain came from Michael E. Porter . In his groundbreaking book Competitive Advantage , Porter explores the underpinnings of competitive advantage in the individual firm. Competitive Advantage introduces a whole new way of understanding what a firm does. Porter’s concept of the Value Chain disaggregates a company into “activities,” or the discrete functions or processes that represent the elemental building blocks of competitive advantage.

Unlock the full potential of your business with The Unite Extended Business Model Canvas – an innovative framework that goes beyond the traditional canvas to encompass the immediate business context. By integrating crucial elements such as Business Drivers, customers, and the team, along with the Unfair Advantage, this extended model provides a comprehensive and strategic approach to mapping your business. Download the model now to gain valuable insights, align your resources effectively, and discover a winning formula for sustained success in today’s competitive business environment . You can download it now.

Download the Complete Extended Business Model package, including instructions for putting it to work for you today.

The UNITE Business Model Canvas

The concept of Value Chains as decision support tools was added to the competitive strategies paradigm developed by Porter as early as 1979. In Porter’s Value Chains, Inbound Logistics, Operations, Outbound Logistics, Marketing and Sales, and Service are categorized as primary activities. Secondary activities include Procurement, Human Resource Management, Technological Development, and Infrastructure. Business models take core and key activities into account and use them to support their revenue streams.

What are Key Activities & Why are They Important?

Most of your organization is made up of non-core activities : entire areas such as accounting, forecasting, marketing, and HR, are not even sector-specific and so generally do not add to the differentiation of your organization. In these areas, you can increase efficiency or decrease costs, but further investment in these areas is unlikely to add to your competitive advantage.

Your key activities are industry-specific and are areas where you possess relative strength. However, here you are competing head-to-head with other firms and are not superior to them.

When we are looking for strengths that support innovation, we need to be looking for assets and capabilities that are core or, ideally, differentiating, since these will support your competitive advantage. Key activities are your business’s reason to be, and differentiating how you do them will make you stand out in the crowd of competitors.

The distinction between core and non-core is critical, and yet most firms do not bother to make it. But it is precisely that distinction that allows you to understand where to cut cost and where to invest , where to focus on differentiation, and where to standardize , a key resource from something far less important.

Key Activities , as a building block of the Value Chain in the Business Model, hold significant importance in driving business success. They represent the core operational tasks and processes that a business must undertake to deliver value to its customers.

Key Activities for Some Real-Life Examples

• Google: – Key Activities : Continuously improving the code base and analyzing data to enhance search results and optimize advertising performance.
• IKEA: – Key Activities: Optimizing the logistics chain to stock all furniture items in stores as per market demands. Working on cost reduction for flat-packed, self-assembled furniture.
• Dairy Farm: – Key Activities: Feeding and checking the health of cows, milking them, and storing milk for collection.
• Nestle (Yogurt Product Line): – Key Activities: Collecting milk, processing it into yoghurt, packaging the yoghurt into containers, and distributing it through the supply chain.
• SpaceX: – Key Activities: Designing and manufacturing larger rockets, developing advanced rocket control and telemetry systems, and offering orbital delivery services.
• Tesla: – Key Activities: Manufacturing electric vehicles with innovative technology and developing sustainable energy solutions.
• Apple: – Key Activities: Designing and developing cutting-edge consumer electronics, creating software ecosystems, and marketing premium products.

Which Key Activities are Critical to your Value Proposition?

Discovering your key activities begins with a thorough examination of your value proposition. Here are some essential questions to consider when identifying the most crucial actions in your business:

• What are the primary actions required to design and develop your product or service effectively?
• Which processes or tasks play the most significant role in ensuring the quality and uniqueness of your offering?
• What key activities are involved in the distribution and delivery of your product or service to customers?
• Are there specific logistics, transportation, or fulfilment activities that are critical for reaching your target market efficiently?
• What activities are essential for providing personalized service and support to your customers?
• How do you engage with customers to enhance their experience and foster loyalty?
• What actions are indispensable for generating revenue and ensuring a steady income flow?
• Which activities are crucial in building trust and credibility with customers to facilitate sales and repeat business?

In the Unite Value Proposition Canvas , the process of discovering key activities in your business begins with a thorough examination of your value proposition. By carefully evaluating the primary actions required to design, develop, and deliver your product or service effectively, you can ensure the quality and uniqueness of your offering.

The Unite Value Proposition Canvas help you gain a structured framework that helps prioritize tasks, streamline operations, and enhance customer satisfaction. And enable your business to thrive, delivering value to customers while driving revenue and growth in a competitive market landscape, You can download it now.

Download the complete Value proposition Canvas Package, including instructions for putting it to work for you today.

The UNITE Value Proposition Canvas

There are a few different ways to identify and assess your strengths and the key activities necessary to your value proposition; here are three that have worked for us.

1- Brainstorm and interview

The simplest way is to brainstorm and build on the ideas you generate through a series of interviews with the senior business executives in your core organization. This approach will uncover some of your greatest strengths quickly. However, based on our experience, it will often not go far enough, since many firms are simply not used to reflecting on their assets and capabilities, and so asking people what they think their differentiating strengths are may not yield a full and accurate picture.

Additionally, market research will help you understand the needs of your various customer segments. You’ll better understand how your value propositions are helping customers complete their Jobs-to-be-Done.

2- Work with a Capability Map

If you want to take a more systematic approach, our best advice is to work with a Capability Map.

Capabilities are the processes, systems of knowledge, and specific skills that a firm possesses based on which it operates, earns revenue, and competes with other firms. Capability Maps summarize the capabilities of a firm visually. They can exist at different levels of an organization – from an abstract list of capabilities at the enterprise level, or a much more detailed visualization when focusing on the particular capabilities of organizational units or even something like the IT system.

The Unite Business Capability Map offers a systematic approach to understanding a firm’s processes, knowledge systems, and skills. It provides a comprehensive visual summary of capabilities, enabling clear communication, strategic planning, and efficiency improvements. By downloading the model, businesses can customize their Capability Maps, align resources, and drive sustainable growth. You can download it now.

Download the complete Business Capability Map package, including instructions for putting it to work for you today.

The UNITE Business Capability Map

3- work with an operating model.

A third alternative is to mine your Operating Model for strengths that distinguish you from your competitors. The concept of an Operating Model Canvas was originally developed by Andrew Campbell and his colleagues. We have developed an iteration of it that will consider additional aspects and that is more geared towards innovation.

One key ingredient we propose to overcome the Strategy-Execution challenge is to establish how you are going to execute using a well-defined and communicated Operating Model. The Operating Model Canvas expands upon the Value Chain, Key Resources , and Key Partners of your Business Model.

The Unite Operating Model Canvas will help your team achieve alignment with your strategy and with each other, thus bringing together all the different functions of your business. You can download it now.

Download the complete Operating Model Canvas Package, including instructions for putting it to work for you today.

The UNITE Operating Model Canvas

An interesting exercise is to assess from a third-party perspective what you are offering and how you are creating value today. How is your organization operating and does that hold more radical potential? Can your Value Chain be entirely rethought and reconfigured? Can you disintermediate the Value Chain, cut out entire production processes, or develop a new Value Proposition if you leave out some steps?

This means undertaking a clear and objective analysis of the situation and thinking through the Value Proposition and Value Chain, and the disruption potential in each step.

Assessing your assets and capabilities is critical. These will provide the boundaries for any future innovation and transformation initiative. If you do not leverage your unique assets and capabilities, you are likely to end up in competition with quite literally everybody – a fight that is hard to win. By leveraging your strengths, you can outline a unique Search Field and Opportunity Space for your innovations.

Key Activities Categories

Your key activities must be robust and diverse enough to provide consistent revenue streams to move your value propositions forward. Your key resources are the materials and contacts you’ll need in order to successfully complete those key activities.

Your entire Value Chain and all of your supporting processes must be able to effectively support your key activities. The chain always breaks at its weakest link. Therefore, think hard about what you need to do to get ready to scale effectively and focus on the most important and most difficult areas first.

1- Production

The processes behind actually making your product.

Production processes are a critically important key activity, and you should have clear quality and cost control over them, particularly if you are a production-driven business . Inventory control is an important element of production, as well. Make sure you’ve empowered production managers to

Many of your key resources will be devoted to production because the production process is so materials-heavy, but don’t neglect the relationships that may be key resources, too,

2- Problem-solving

All businesses, no matter their business model, must approach problem-solving as a key activity.

Problem-solving pathways are established so decision-making is as streamlined as possible. Proper problem-solving is an important element of maintaining customer relationships. Entire business models are devoted to the customer relationship that grows as a result of completing the problems of a customer’s Jobs to be Done.

3- Platform/ Network

Modern companies must ensure that their digital footprint is robust and persistent, and if your business is the technology you’re using, then ensuring that it’s operating is clearly an important key activity.

Your platform management and network-related key activities are too important to ignore; make sure they receive the attention and investment they deserve. Knowledge management is likely extremely important for businesses that exist completely online.

Common Key Activities

It can be easier to understand the concept of key activities with some examples.

Obviously, your specific key activities will depend on your business and value proposition.

1- Research & Development

Your research and development department should be laser-focused on innovation. That can only happen when you’re not wasting resources on non-key activities. Those resources should be devoted to new customer segments and business development.

In addition to new products, resources should be devoted to developing new distribution channels .

2- Production

Production planning is an important key activity and an important site of cost and quality control. The right QC management results in continuous learning and improvement of the production process. The right inventory management system will make sure you can meet the expected demand.

3- Marketing

The business model canvas includes room for marketing because seeking out new customers is a key activity within nearly every business model.

4- Sales, Customer Services, & Customer Relationships

Your sales support and sales team are important elements of your business model and should be treated as one of your key activities. The focus should always be on key or prospective customers, the so-called “hero” customers that can make or break your revenue streams.

Because it’s so important to maintain customer relationships and the customer experience, customer interactions appear as key activities in multiple areas of the business model canvas.

Key Points About Identifying Key Activities in Your Business Model:

• Capability Map Approach : Use a Capability Map for a systematic analysis of critical processes, knowledge systems, and skills that drive your business’s operations, revenue generation, and competitiveness.
• Production-Based Businesses : For manufacturing or production-focused companies, key activities involve sourcing raw materials, transforming them, and efficient distribution.
• Problem-Solving Businesses : Knowledge-intensive businesses prioritize activities like client consultations and case law reviews, leveraging innovative processes for a competitive advantage.
• Platform-Centric Businesses : Companies providing platforms or networks focus on building and continuously optimizing their offerings to serve multiple customer segments effectively.
• Startup Prioritization : Startups should prioritize a few key activities to excel in critical areas, establish competitive advantages, and optimize resource allocation.
• Importance of Focus : A limited number of key activities demonstrate clarity in thinking and prioritization, allowing businesses to excel and defend against potential threats.
• Explore Practical Case Studies : For in-depth insights into successful key activity prioritization, visit relevant websites analyzing how diverse businesses manage core activities for sustainable growth and market leadership.

Key Activities: Questions for Reflection

As we wrap up this discussion of key activities, we’d like to suggest some questions for you and your team to consider. Not only will your answers reveal how successfully you’re following through on the key activities of your business model, but not having answers will tell you a lot, as well.

• What are our value chains and key processes?
• What are our key value-creating activities?
• Do we have several key value chains?

Connecting The Dots: The UNITE Business Model Framework

The key activities play a crucial role in each element of The UNITE Business Model Framework , and they are the specific actions required to bring the business model to life.

How to Create Innovation  includes a number of canvases that focus on value creation and finding the right business model to meet your   customer segment and customer needs.  The framework is built to inspire drastic changes that help you  find a competitive advantage.  Our hope is that your company grows through business model innovation, and so we again encourage you to look deeper into our website and the book.

Here is a summary of the key ingredients of the framework:

Download the complete Business Model Framework package, including instructions for putting it to work for you today.

The centrepiece is the  Business Model Canvas,  which covers the  six main areas of a Business Model  (the Operating, Value, Service, Experience, Cost, and Revenue Models).

The  eXtended Business Model Canvas   adds the immediate business context, including Business Drivers, customers, and the team, as well as the  Unfair Advantage.

Detailed Models

A Business Model can be broken out into numerous aspects. Depending on what challenges you face, you can zoom in on your area of interest using an appropriate tool or canvas:

• Your  Business Intention and objectives  as well as your  Massive Transformative Purpose  summarize your drivers and give direction to what you do.
• The  Value Proposition Canvas   details the central components of your offering (the product or service).
• To dig into your Customer Segments, work with  data-driven Personas .
• The  JTBD  Customer Job Statement and Job Map  frame the JTBD of your customers.
• The  Business Model Environment  puts your Business Model in a market context composed of emerging trends and disruptive forces.
• The   Innovation Culture Canvas  helps you understand and consciously shape a culture that supports innovation.
• The Innovation team structure enables you to draft a team structure for your innovation initiative.
• Using learning and growth metrics, you can measure progress at the initial stages of development. These metrics help you focus on what really matters instead of creating a detailed business plan that will not really help you. Later on, you can expand the financial aspect of the Revenue and Cost Models with a full  business case .
• The  Operating Model Canvas   helps you think through the Operating Model.

Optimizing Key Activities is crucial for enhancing a business’s efficiency, effectiveness, and overall performance. By identifying areas of improvement within the value chain, businesses can streamline processes, reduce costs, and deliver better value to customers. Optimization may involve adopting new technologies, refining workflows, investing in employee training, and leveraging data analytics to make informed decisions. By continuously optimizing Key Activities, businesses can stay competitive, drive innovation, and achieve long-term success.

Frequently Asked Questions

1- how do you identify key activities.

Optimizing key activities in a business is crucial for improving search engine visibility and attracting more potential customers. By identifying and focusing on the core operational tasks and processes that contribute to the value proposition, businesses can enhance their competitive advantage and better align with the needs of their target audience. Implementing effective SEO strategies and content marketing efforts around these key activities can lead to higher rankings on search engine results pages, increased organic traffic, and improved online visibility, ultimately driving business success and growth.

2- What is an example of a key activity in business?

In the realm of business, one prime example of a key activity is “Research & Development” (R&D). For companies aiming to drive innovation, R&D holds immense significance as it becomes the driving force behind new product or service development, the enhancement of existing offerings, and the ultimate differentiation from competitors. Within this process, the generation of ideas, conducting experiments, and constant refinement all directly contribute to delivering unmatched value to customers, making R&D an indispensable element of business success.

3- What are 3 examples of business activities?

Three examples of essential business activities are as follows:

Sales: This involves the process of effectively selling products or services to customers, generating revenue for the company.

Marketing : This encompasses a range of activities aimed at promoting and advertising products or services to attract and engage potential customers.

Accounting : This critical function involves managing financial transactions, maintaining accurate bookkeeping records, and preparing financial statements to ensure the company’s financial health and compliance.

4- What are the 6 basic business activities?

a. Sales and Marketing b. Research and Development c. Production or Service Delivery d. Procurement e. Human Resources f. Finance and Accounting

5- What are the 5 management activities?

In the realm of management, there are five fundamental activities: a. Planning : involves establishing objectives and devising the optimal strategy to attain them. b. Organizing : The allocation of resources and structuring of tasks to effectively reach organizational goals. c. Staffing : The process of recruiting, selecting, and training employees to occupy essential positions within the organization. d. Directing : Providing guidance and leadership to employees, ensuring efficient task execution and goal achievement. e. Controlling : Monitoring performance and taking corrective measures to ensure successful goal attainment.

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In this article, we will look at the “Key Activities” block in the Business Model Canvas . We will cover, 1) an introduction to key activities , 2) questions to consider , 3) typical activities , 4) categories for key activities , and 5) a case study on LinkedIn .

KEY ACTIVITIES

As the title suggests, these are the most important tasks a company must carry out in order to fulfill its business purpose. To be successful, a company must carry out key actions that are primarily dictated by its business model. As we studied with the key resources building block, key activities are similarly pivotal in an organization fulfilling its value proposition, reaching its customer segments, sustain its customer relationships and ultimately create long-term revenue streams. Key activities are different according to the business model of the organization carrying out the activity. Hence, an organization that relies heavily on its 3 rd party contracts will list channel management as a key activity. A product-driven business will lend more significance to activities such as continuous research to understand their users better as well as constant innovation in technology.

Hence, it is safe to assume that a key activity for software giant Microsoft is Software Development; similarly, for computer manufacturer Dell, supply chain management may be a key activity, and a consulting business like McKinsey probably lists solving client problems as its key activity.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

When evaluating your business through the Key Activities building block it is essential that you take a holistic view of the business and evaluate related building blocks as well, to understand how they will contribute to your key activities.

• Based on our value propositions , what kinds of activities are key to our business?
• What kinds of activities are key to our distribution channels?
• What kinds of activities are important if we want to maintain our customer relationships ?
• What kinds of activities are fundamental to our revenue streams?

Our Value Propositions will obviously have the most profound impact on the kind of activities we carry out. However, as the business flourishes, we may begin to include unnecessary activities within this block as well. To prevent this, we use a method called the Minimum Viable Product or MVP , which is the most basic version of your product made through a single cycle of the build, measure and learn loop. Most entrepreneurs will resist the Minimum Viable Product because everyone believes that for a product to be a success, it must provide maximum value to its customers. This brings us back to the Customer Segment and Value Proposition building blocks where we learnt that we have to be selective about the customers we target and the kind of value we provide by relieving their pains and giving them gains. Creating a bloated product with tons of extra feature that are of no value to your customer but which add to his investment, is not the way to go. A product is a combination of its form and function, function being what it does and form detailing how it does it. This form is crucial to the customer experience and helps in determining the key activities. Similarly, the kind of customer relationship you want establish will also entail certain key activities to bring it about and so on.

TYPICAL ACTIVITIES

As mentioned earlier the Key activities building block creates a bridge between your value propositions and the customer segments’ needs. Some typical key activities that are commonly practiced by most organizations are listed below;

Research & Development

The research and development department is required to liaise with all other functions of the company whether it be production, marketing or sales. The typical functions of a research department are mentioned below;

• New Product Research: Before a new product can be produced, it must first go through the research and development department which will explore what the design of the product should be, the expected production costs and how long it will take to produce sufficient amounts of the product. R&D also looks into how much customers want or need the product.
• New Product Development : the research phase naturally leads to the product being developed due to the results achieved from the research phase.
• Existing Product Updates: R&D must also look into existing products to see if they require an upgrade based on evolving consumer needs or new entrants into the product category in the market. These changes can additionally be attributed to product glitches that need resolving.
• Quality Checks: Companies can ask their R&D departments to conduct quality checks or they may require the department to collaborate with the Quality Assurance team since they are well versed in the specifications of the product and are ideal for evaluating whether all products are up to the quality standards set by the company.
• Innovation : The R&D team is also responsible for keeping an eye on innovations and new trends within the industry and ensuring that their product stays abreast of these trends.

Production management consists of a number of activities which are outlined below;

• Selection of product and design: the first step is to select the right product and the right design for the product . This is a crucial decision because the combination of the right product (Value Proposition) and the right design (Key Activities)will dictate the success or the failure of the company. Value engineering and value analysis are parts of this activity.
• Selection of Production Process: this stage consists of deciding what production process the organization will be using including the right technology, machines, inventory management system, etc.
• Selecting Right Production Capacity: The production management must have full knowledge of the expected demand for the product and set the production capacity accordingly, since either a dearth or a surplus of the product may lead to problems for the company. Break-even analysis is the most popular tool used by production managers to predict capacity.
• Production Planning: The production manager must decide on the routing and scheduling of the product. Routing is aimed at creating a smooth flow of work by discovering the easiest and most economical flow of work. Scheduling, on the other hand, refers to the timing of activities by mentioning a start and end time for each.
• Production Control: The production manager is also responsible for monitoring and controlling the production process. This is done by comparing planned production with actual production, exploring deviations if any and ultimately correcting these deviations to meet planned production.
• Quality and Cost Control: In today’s economically driven world, consumers won’t the maximum quality for the cheapest price and access to the internet and a world of options make them more discerning and fickle. Hence, it falls on the production manager to not only ensure that he is continuously improving the quality of the product but also to reduce costs so their product can remain competitive in the market in terms of price.
• Inventory Control: Inventory Control is fundamental to a production driven business because it prevents overstocking or understocking. Overstocking means the company will be spending more money on materials that will ultimately go to waste. Understocking will effect production and result in late deliveries.
• Maintenance and Replacement of Machines: The production manager must be on top of the condition of the machines under his function by constantly monitoring them and scheduling regular maintenance like oiling, replacing worn parts, cleaning, etc. This function ensures that there are no unexpected breaks in production.

The Marketing department is responsible for the growth of the company by getting word of the company’s existence and the value it provides to its customers. The functions of the marketing department are explained below;

• Strategy: The senior members of the marketing team are responsible for drafting and getting approval of a marketing strategy for the company, based on its overall goals and missions before cascading this strategy throughout the department and creating goals based on it.
• Market Research : The Marketing department must have full knowledge of the market the company is operating in including the strengths and weaknesses of the product according to the customer, potential competitors in the market to whom the company may lose market share or weaker competitors from whom company can get market share.
• Product Development: The marketing team works in conjunction with the product development team constantly. This is done by identifying possible gap areas in the market for which the company can develop a product to address an unmet need. They are the ones with their fingers on the customer pulse and are a source of insight into consumer needs and feelings. Once the product is developed, the marketing team is also involved in pricing the product.
• Communications: The marketing team is responsible for all communication to go out in the market regarding the product. The nature of this communication varies from press releases to online product reviews, advertisements, e-mails, etc.
• Sales Support: Marketing also works closely with the Sales team by providing them with customer leads, as well as promotional materials for potential customers.
• Events: Marketing is also responsible for organizing and executing events such as seminars, product launches, exhibitions, etc. they will typically call key or prospective customers to such events as well.

Sales & Customer Services

Sales and customer service play a key role in the purchase and post purchase behavior and experience of your customer. This department is key to ensuring that you build a cadre of repeat customers who will become your advocates in the market and drive more business in through word of mouth. Conversely, these customers can also be extremely vocal if they have suffered a bad customer experience with you and can just as easily drive business away. Hence, one of the most crucial weapons in your arsenal is your sales and customer services team. They fulfill the following responsibilities on behalf of your company;

• Handling Problems: Customer service representatives generally spring into action when customers call in with complaints. The breadth of their authority is dependant on company policy but their core task is to ensure that when an irate customer calls, they do everything, within the scope of their job description, to leave him happy or satisfied when he hangs up. Some customer representatives are empowered to solve the problem on the spot by providing a replacement or returning the money. Others may act as gatekeepers who take information and then route it to the relevant departments.
• Assisting in Sales: Customer representatives are also depended upon to help increase the sales of the organization. They may do this by educating customers on the value propositions the product offers. Others may use upselling by telling customers who call in to upgrade their services for improved quality.
• Clerical Tasks: some companies may include administrative and clerical tasks within the ambit of the role of the customer services representative. So representatives may be routing calls to relevant support departments, maintaining a record of customer accounts including new customers and recording any changes that may occur in these accounts.
• Job Specific Responsibilities: though the general spirit of the role remains the same, the details may vary according to the organizational context and industrial realities facing the organization. Hence a customer services representative at an FMCG company may be responsible for a big account like Metro. A customer representative at a bank may also be doing some duties that a bank teller typically does such as counting money, etc.

CATEGORIES FOR KEY ACTIVITIES

These activities are generally a characteristic of manufacturing firms and entail the design, creation and delivery of significant quantities of the product.

For a company that manufactures and sells pantyhose, typical value propositions are listed below;

• This pantyhose lasts longer and, therefore, saves consumers the money they would spend on frequent replacements.
• It provides resistance, so feet don’t slip in heels.
• The product is machine washable.
• Easy to store packaging.

The Key activities would then be;

• Control of production and manufacturing;
• Manage website, online orders and the distribution of the product;
• Create a branding strategy ;
• Marketing and promotion of the product;
• Product and packaging design.

Problem-solving

Some consumers or customers have chronic problems. Organizations that list problem-solving as a main activity are usually aiming to find unique solutions to these individual problems. Consultancies, hospitals, and most service organizations typically are trying to solve customer problems uniquely. These organizations are characterized by lots of knowledge management and a focus on continuous learning.

Jiffy Lube is a chain of over 200 businesses in North America which offers oil change and other automotive services to its clientele. Hence, it is a service firm that aims to provide a solution to a recurring problem its target customers may have. Jiffy’s value propositions are:

• Keep cars healthy;
• Keep clothes clean and garages tidy;
• Save customers’ time and help them avoid the hassle of their cars breaking down.

Based on these, the key activities performed at Jiffy can be as follows;

• Change the oil of cars;
• Perform other maintenance work;
• Promote their services to customers through upselling and other marketing activities.

Such organizations will have detailed records on repair work done on the automobiles of their repeat customers and will be able to handle the car with full knowledge of its history, much like a doctor with a regular patient.

Platform/ network

A business model where the platform is a key resource usually has platform or network-related key activities. Networks, brands, and software can all be a part of a platform or network-related business.

Agile Enterprise Architecture or AEA offers its services to companies experiencing a surge of work or a cascade of models that need to be done within a limited amount of time. The company’s value propositions are as follows;

• Low-cost architecture modeling;
• Agile and available when needed by customers;
• In the cloud ;
• Its environmentally friendly especially if the client company is willing to forego travel;
• Efficient and effective;
• Involves minimal risk.

Based on these the key activities for this organization are;

• Cloud-based architectural modeling as a service;
• Cloud-based enterprise architecture software as a service ;
• Frequent health checks for the architecture to make sure it remains robust with changing environment.

CASE STUDY – LINKEDIN

LinkedIn is one of the world’s premier business networking websites. The value propositions it provides to its customers are as follows;

• Manage professional profile and build a robust professional network;
• Target and reach the right talent;
• Communicated with the right audience;
• Access to LinkedIn database though API ’s and widgets.

As you can see LinkedIn is a platform/ network based company characterized by a high focus on providing sharing capabilities to its customers. The Key activities performed at LinkedIn would then be;

• Platform Development

Hence, LinkedIn spends a majority of its budget and time in ensuring that its platform remains scalable and usable as the consumer base grows rapidly.

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Denis Oakley & Co

I HELP BOLD LEADERS TRANSFORM THEIR BUSINESSES AND THE INDUSTRIES THEY COMPETE IN

February 10, 2018 By Denis Oakley

Key Activities in the Business Model Canvas

Key activities are important things your business needs to do to run. It’s even more specific than that. Key activities are the key things that you need to do in order to deliver your value propositions to customers . In this lesson, we look at what key activities are within the context of the business model canvas and how to identify them and use them correctly.

Key Activities Video

Here’s a video where I run through what the key activities are and how they fit into the business model canvas

Identifying the key activities that you need for your valuation is important. It’s equally important to consider which key activities you need to do yourself. Changing these can be a great source of business model innovation , especially when faced with business model depreciation and disruptive market changes .

Finding the Key Activities

To find your key activity the best place to start is your value proposition

• What’s are the most important actions to build your product or service?
• What’s most important to distribute your product and service?
• What kinds of activities are important if we want to maintain customer relationships? (Personal Service, Your Office, Sharing Experience etc..)
• What kinds of activities are fundamental to your revenue streams? (Credit Limit, Fast Payment, Trust etc..)

What Key Activities Do Your Value Proposition(s) Require?

First of all look at your value proposition. What are the key things that you need to do to make it work? If you have a florist you need to

• buy the flowers,
• prepare them and
• deliver them.

You also need to manage your promotional channels so that customers come to the shop.

If you run a plastics factory your key activities are likely to revolve about:

• maintaining production,
• keeping the operations safe, and
• working out how to reduce costs and improve productivity to keep pace with market changes.

Here there are many many more things that you could be doing. Key activities are the critical things that you absolutely must do in order to develop and maintain your competitive advantage .

Small businesses and startups will often list tasks or processes at this stage because they are fairly simple. When you look at the business model of large enterprises that may comprise hundreds of companies and tens of thousands of employees the key activities need to be captured at a far higher level of abstraction.

It is just the same as looking at a map at different scales. One of the keys is using the right scale to look at your business in its stage of development

What Do You Have to do Everyday?

What key activities do you have to do every day? This is a really good approach for helping you to figure out what is a key activity and what is not. If you or your staff are doing the same activities every day then there is a good chance that they are critical for the delivery of the value proposition. For a supermarket (looking at the unit rather than the enterprise) restocking is a key activity. When customers go into the supermarket they expect to find goods on the shelves to buy. Without them, the business model falls apart.

For a company like Google the key activities are improving its code base and then examine all the data that it has gathered to help it improve search results and let advertisers sell better-converting adverts.

For a company like IKEA, the key activities are optimising its logistics chain to ensure that every store has all the furniture that people in that market are buying. It also works on reducing the cost of its products so that it can maintain it’s market-leading position in flat packed self-assembled furniture.

Is Your Business Based Around Producing or Making Something?

Where a company is involved in making something the key activities usually centre on getting the raw materials, transforming them and then shipping or distributing the finished products.

A dairy farmer’s key activities are feeding the cows, checking them for health, milking them and then storing the milk ready for collection. Nestle’s key activities (if we look at the Yoghurt product line) are collecting the milk, processing it into yoghurt, packaging it into containers and then sending it out into its distribution network.

Space X’s key activities are all about designing and manufacturing ever larger rockets, building more effective rocket control and telemetry systems and selling orbital delivery services to its customers.

The key activities tend to vary quite widely based on the type of customer and the manufacturing process used. Where manufacturing is continuous or mass sales tend to be a far smaller portion of the key activities as these are delivered by channels. When products are very large or highly customised then sales tend to be far more complex and take longer.

Some examples of business models based around production include

Is Your Business Based Around Solving Problems for Customers?

Companies which are problem-orientated tend to have a different set of activities. These companies are often consultants, lawyers and other types of knowledge workers.

A lawyer, for example, has client consultations, pleading and case law review as his critical activities. Activities such as billing are generally not key activities because these are common for all businesses and provide little competitive advantage.

The deeper message of key activities is that these are the activities that provide a competitive advantage. Case law review is something that all lawyers do. How can this be a key activity/ Can you do it faster? Do you have a better process for doing it? Is one of your key resources a software system that allows you to assess more cases than would be possible or feasible by hand.

Problem-solving business models are knowledge-intensive. The key is understanding, in the business model, how this knowledge is obtained, processed and packaged to solve the customers’ problem.

Is your Business Based Around Building a Platform or Network for Other People to Use?

When we look at platforms, what we are doing is analogous to providing a meeting hall for people to use. If it is a market place the meeting hall has to have tables for sellers to display their wares. It has to have all the facilities that buyers need to make purchases.

When we look at the key activities we can see that there is often a build once-optimise continually process. Facebook , for example, was built once. Mark Zuckerberg only ever built a single Facebook. Over time almost all the original code has been upgraded, expanded, replaced and optimised as the value proposition has changed over time.

It’s tempting to just say build and optimise the platform. That is doing too little work. What is far better is to delve down into the details and say – what is it about the way that we build and optimize the platform that gives us the amazing results?

The other aspect to bear in mind with platforms is that you are often serving two or more customer segments simultaneously using the platform. There will be platform-centric key activities. There will be key activities that are focused on each of the customer segments (or groups of them under certain conditions)

If you want to see some examples of platform key activities have a look at these business models

Deciding the Key Activities in Your Business Model

When I design business models for clients the key activities are one of the last parts of the business model canvas that I work on.

For most startups, there aren’t normally more than 2-3 key activities. That is mainly because if an activity is key it should be consuming most of a person’s time. Startups have few people and limited time and resources. They can’t as a result have too many key resources. They are unable to deliver on them if they do.

Having lots of key activities is also an indication of sloppy thinking and an inability to prioritise what is really important. Focusing on just a few activities allows you to get really good at them and find a source of competitive advantage . Being very good at some activities is also a great way of defending against threats to your business model .

One way of prioritising is to imagine that no-one has come into the office. You are the only person in there.

What are the first three things that you do?

Those will normally be your key activities

So for example when I worked at a food delivery company as the VP of operations I cared about three things

• Are the chefs cooking?
• Are my delivery riders here?
• Has the website and app sent me lots of customer orders to fulfil

That translated to

• Platform build & Optimisation

in our business model canvas.

Are you an Entrepreneur?

Are you copying a business model?

Are you creating a new one?

I can help you get it right

How to Build a Great Business Model Canvas – The FREE Course

• Introduction 
• Value Propositions
• Marketing & Distribution Channels
• Customer Relationships
• Key Resources
• Key Activities
• Key Partners & Suppliers

About Denis Oakley

Explorer | Trail Runner | Mountain Lover

'Big' companies are civilisation. I stay in the wilderness guiding entrepreneurs and startups on their journey to becoming 'Big'.

Then I head back to the frontier

Strategy | Marketing | Operations

Ready to start?

I help entrepreneurs transform their industries through wiser choices

Outcome : More Traction, Bigger Rounds, Better Products

Method : Problems, Customers, Business Models, Strategy

• 1-800-565-8735
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22 Unbeatable Team Building Problem Solving Activities

Problem-solving is a critical skill for professionals and with team building problem-solving activities, you can sharpen your skills while having fun at the same time.  

Updated: March 1, 2024

In the professional world, one thing is for sure: problem-solving is a vital skill if you want to survive and thrive. It’s a universal job skill that organizations seek in new potential employees and that managers look for when considering candidates for promotions.  

But there’s a problem. 

According to Payscale, 60% of managers feel that new grads entering the workforce lack problem-solving abilities – making it the most commonly lacking soft skill.  

Problem-solving skill needs to be practiced and perfected on an ongoing basis in order to be applied effectively when the time comes. And while there are tons of traditional approaches to becoming a better problem-solver, there’s another (much more interesting) option: team building problem-solving activities. 

The good news? This means learning and having fun don’t have to be mutually exclusive. And you can create a stronger team at the same time. 

16 In-Person Team Building Problem Solving Activities for Your Work Group  

1. cardboard boat building challenge, 2. egg drop , 3. clue murder mystery, 4. marshmallow spaghetti tower  , 5. corporate escape room, 6. wild goose chase, 7. lost at sea  , 8. domino effect challenge, 9. reverse pyramid  , 10. ci: the crime investigators, 11. team pursuit, 12. bridge builders, 13. domino effect challenge, 14. hollywood murder mystery, 15. code break, 16. cardboard boat building challenge, 6 virtual team building problem solving activities for your work group  , 1. virtual escape room: mummy’s curse, 2. virtual clue murder mystery, 3. virtual escape room: jewel heist, 4. virtual code break  , 5. virtual trivia time machine.

• 6. Virtual Jeoparty Social

There are a ton of incredible team building problem solving activities available. We’ve hand-picked 16 of our favorites that we think your corporate group will love too. 

Split into teams and create a cardboard boat made out of just the materials provided: cardboard and tape. Team members will have to work together to engineer a functional boat that will float and sail across water without sinking. Once teams have finished making their boats, they will create a presentation to explain why their boat is the best, before putting their boats to the test. The final challenge will have teams racing their boats to test their durability! Nothing says problem-solving like having to make sure you don’t sink into the water!

Every day at work, you’re forced to make countless decisions – whether they’re massively important or so small you barely think about them.  

But your ability to effectively make decisions is critical in solving problems quickly and effectively.  

With a classic team building problem solving activity like the Egg Drop, that’s exactly what your team will learn to do. 

For this activity, you’ll need some eggs, construction materials, and a place you wouldn’t mind smashing getting dirty with eggshells and yolks.  

The goal of this activity is to create a contraption that will encase an egg and protect it from a fall – whether it’s from standing height or the top of a building. But the challenge is that you and your team will only have a short amount of time to build it before it’s time to test it out, so you’ll have to think quickly! 

To make it even more challenging, you’ll have to build the casing using only simple materials like: 

• Newspapers 
• Plastic wrap
• Rubber bands
• Popsicle sticks
• Cotton balls

Feel free to have some fun in picking the materials. Use whatever you think would be helpful without making things too easy! 

Give your group 15 minutes to construct their egg casing before each team drops their eggs. If multiple eggs survive, increase the height gradually to see whose created the sturdiest contraption.  

If you’re not comfortable with the idea of using eggs for this activity, consider using another breakable alternative, such as lightbulbs for a vegan Egg Drop experience. 

With Clue Murder Mystery, your team will need to solve the murder of a man named Neil Davidson by figuring out who had the means, motive, and opportunity to commit the crime.

But it won’t be easy! You’ll need to exercise your best problem-solving skills and channel your inner detectives if you want to keep this case from going cold and to get justice for the victim.

Collaboration is critical to problem solving. 

Why? Because, as the old saying goes, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This expression reflects the fact that people are capable of achieving greater things when they work together to do so. 

If you’re looking for a team building problem solving activity that helps boost collaboration, you’ll love Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower.  

This game involves working in teams to build the tallest possible freestanding tower using only marshmallows, uncooked spaghetti, tape, and string.  

The kicker? This all has to be done within an allotted timeframe. We recommend about thirty minutes.  

For an added dimension of challenge, try adding a marshmallow to the top of the tower to make it a little more top heavy.  

Whichever team has the highest tower when time runs out is the winner! 

If you’ve never participated in an escape room, your team is missing out! It’s one of the most effective team building problem solving activities out there because it puts you and your colleagues in a scenario where the only way out is collaboratively solving puzzles and deciphering clues.  

The principle is simple: lock your group in a room, hide the key somewhere in that room, and have them work through challenges within a set time frame. Each challenge will lead them one step closer to finding the key and, ultimately, their escape.    

At Outback, we offer “done-for-you” escape rooms where we’ll transform your office or meeting room so you don’t have to worry about:

• Seeking transportation for your team 
• Capacity of the escape rooms  
• High costs 
• Excessive planning  

That way, you and your team can simply step inside and get to work collaborating, using creative problem solving, and thinking outside the box.   

In this smartphone-based scavenger hunt team building activity , your group will split into teams and complete fun challenges by taking photos and videos around the city. Some examples of challenges you can do in this activity are:

• Parkour:  Take a picture of three team members jumping over an object that’s at least waist-high.
• Beautiful Mind:  Snap a photo of a team member proving a well-known mathematical theorem on a chalkboard.
• Puppy Love:  Take a photo of all of your team members petting a stranger’s dog at the same time.

It takes a ton of critical thinking and problem-solving to be crowned the Wild Goose Chase Champions!

Can you imagine a higher-pressure situation than being stranded at sea in a lifeboat with your colleagues? 

With this team building problem solving activity, that’s exactly the situation you and your group will put yourselves. But by the time the activity is over, you’ll have gained more experience with the idea of having to solve problems under pressure – a common but difficult thing to do. 

Here’s how it works. 

Each team member will get a six-columned chart where: 

• The first column lists the survival items each team has on hand (see the list below) 
• The second column is empty so that each team member can rank the items in order of importance for survival  
• The third column is for group rankings  
• The fourth column is for the “correct” rankings, which are revealed at the end of the activity 
• The fifth and sixth columns are for the team to enter thee difference between their individual and correct scores and the team and correct rankings 

Within this activity, each team will be equipped with the following “survival items,” listed below in order of importance, as well as a pack of matches:  

• A shaving mirror (this can be used to signal passing ships using the sun) 
• A can of gas (could be used for signaling as it could be put in the water and lit with the pack of matches) 
• A water container (for collecting water to re-hydrate ) 
• Emergency food rations (critical survival food) 
• One plastic sheet (can be helpful for shelter or to collect rainwater) 
• Chocolate bars (another food supply) 
• Fishing rods (helpful, but no guarantee of catching food) 
• Rope (can be handy, but not necessarily essential for survival) 
• A floating seat cushion (usable as a life preserver)  
• Shark repellant (could be important when in the water) 
• A bottle of rum (could be useful for cleaning wounds) 
• A radio (could be very helpful but there’s a good chance you’re out of range) 
• A sea chart (this is worthless without navigation equipment) 
• A mosquito net (unless you’ve been shipwrecked somewhere with a ton of mosquitos, this isn’t very useful) 

To get the activity underway, divide your group into teams of five and ask each team member to take ten minutes on their own to rank the items in order of importance in the respective column. Then, give the full team ten minutes as a group to discuss their individual rankings together and take group rankings, listed in that respective column. Ask each group to compare their individual rankings with those of the group as a whole. 

Finally, read out the correct order according to the US Coast Guard, listed above.  

The goal of this activity is for everyone to be heard and to come to a decision together about what they need most to survive.  

If your team works remotely, you can also do this activity online. Using a video conferencing tool like  Zoom , you can bring your group together and separate teams into “break-out rooms” where they’ll take their time individually and then regroup together. At the end, you can bring them back to the full video conference to go through the answers together. 

Many problems are intricately complex and involve a ton of moving parts. And in order to solve this type of problem, you need to be able to examine it systematically, one piece at a time.  

Especially in the business world, many problems or challenges involve multiple different teams or departments working through their respective portions of a problem before coming together in the end to create a holistic solution. 

As you can imagine, this is often easier said than done. And that’s why it’s so important to practice this ability.  

With a collaborative team building problem solving activity like Domino Effect Challenge, that’s exactly what you’ll need to do as you and your group work to create a massive, fully functional chain reaction machine. 

Here’s how it goes. 

Your group will break up into teams, with each team working to complete their own section of a massive “Rube Goldberg” machine. Then, all teams will regroup and assemble the entire machine together. You’ll need to exercise communication, collaboration, and on-the-fly problem solving in order to make your chain reaction machine go off without a hitch from start to finish. 

Being a great problem-solver means being adaptable and creative. And if you’re looking for a quick and easy team building problem solving activity, you’ll love the reverse pyramid. 

The idea here is simple: break your group out into small teams and then stand in the form of a pyramid.  

Your challenge is to flip the base and the peak of the pyramid – but you can only move three people in order to do so.  

Alternatively, rather than doing this activity with people as the pyramid, you can do another version –  the Pyramid Build  – using plastic cups instead.   

This version is a little bit different. Rather than flipping the base of a pyramid to the top, you’ll need to build the pyramid instead–but in reverse, starting from the top cup and working down. 

With this version, you’ll need 36 cups and one table per group. We recommend groups of five to seven people. Give your group 20 to 30 minutes to complete the activity. 

To get started, place one cup face down. Then, lift that cup and place the subsequent two cups underneath it. 

The real challenge here? You can only lift your pyramid by the bottom row in order to put a new row underneath – and only one person at a time can do the lifting. The remaining group members will need to act quickly and work together in order to add the next row so that it will balance the rest of the pyramid. 

If any part of your pyramid falls, you’ll need to start over. Whichever team has the most complete pyramid when time runs out will be the winner!  

The value of being able to approach problems analytically can’t be overstated. Because when problems arise, the best way to solve them is by examining the facts and making a decision based on what you know. 

With CI: The Crime Investigators, this is exactly what your team will be called upon to do as you put your detective’s hats on and work to solve a deadly crime. 

You’ll be presented with evidence and need to uncover and decipher clues. And using only the information at your disposal, you’ll need to examine the facts in order to crack the case. 

Like many of our team building problem solving activities, CI: The Crime Investigators is available in a hosted format, which can take place at your office or an outside venue, as well as a virtually-hosted format that uses video conferencing tools, or a self-hosted version that you can run entirely on your own.  

Each member of your team has their own unique strengths and skills. And by learning to combine those skills, you can overcome any challenge and solve any problem. With Team Pursuit, you and your team together to tackle challenges as you learn new things about one another, discover your hidden talents, and learn to rely on each other.

This team building problem solving activity is perfect for high-energy groups that love to put their heads together and work strategically to solve problems as a group.

Collaborate with your colleague to design and build different segments of a bridge. At the end, see if the sections come together to create a free-standing structure!   

Together as a group, see if you and your colleagues can build a gigantic “chain-reaction” machine that really works!

In smaller groups, participants work together to solve the challenge of creating sections of the machine using miscellaneous parts, and at the end, you’ll have to collaborate to connect it all together and put it in motion.

The case is fresh, but here’s what we know so far: we’ve got an up-and-coming actress who’s been found dead in her hotel room following last night’s awards show.

We have several suspects, but we haven’t been able to put the crime on any of them for sure yet. Now, it’s up to you and your team of detectives to crack the case. Together, you’ll review case files and evidence including police reports, coroners’ reports, photo evidence, tabloids, interrogations, and phone calls as you determine the motive, method, and murderer and bring justice for the victim.

You’ll need to put your problem-solving skills to the test as you share theories, collaborate, and think outside the box with your fellow investigators.

Using Outback’s app, split up into small groups and put your heads together to solve a variety of puzzles, riddles, and trivia. The team who has completed the most challenges when time is up, wins!

Can you stay afloat in a body of water in a boat made entirely of cardboard? Now that is a problem that urgently needs solving.

With this team building problem solving activity, you and your colleagues will split into groups and create a cardboard boat made out of just the materials provided – cardboard and tape.

Team members will have to work together to engineer a functional boat that will float and sail across water without sinking. Once teams have finished making their boats, they will create a presentation to explain why their boat is the best, before putting their boats to the test. The final challenge will have teams racing their boats across the water!

If you and your team are working remotely, don’t worry. You still have a ton of great virtual team building problem solving options at your disposal.

In this virtual escape room experience, your team will be transported into a pyramid cursed by a restless mummy. You’ll have to work together to uncover clues and solve complex challenges to lift the ancient curse.

You’ve probably never heard of a man named Neil Davidson. But your group will need to come together to solve the mystery of his murder by analyzing clues, resolving challenges, and figuring out who had the means, motive, and opportunity to commit a deadly crime. 

This activity will challenge you and your group to approach problems analytically, read between the lines, and use critical thinking in order to identify a suspect and deliver justice.  

If you and your team like brainteasers, then Virtual Escape Room: Jewel Heist will be a big hit.  

Here’s the backstory.

There’s been a robbery. Someone has masterminded a heist to steal a priceless collection of precious jewels, and it’s up to you and your team to recover them before time runs out.

Together, you’ll need to uncover hidden clues and solve a series of brain-boggling challenges that require collaboration, creative problem-solving, and outside-the-box thinking. But be quick! The clock is ticking before the stolen score is gone forever.

With Virtual Code Break, you and your team can learn to be adaptive and dynamic in your thinking in order to tackle any new challenges that come your way. In this activity, your group will connect on a video conferencing platform where your event host will split you out into teams. Together, you’ll have to adapt your problem-solving skills as you race against the clock to tackle a variety of mixed brainteaser challenges ranging from Sudoku to puzzles, a game of Cranium, riddles, and even trivia. 

Curious to see how a virtual team building activity works? Check out this video on a Virtual Clue Murder Mystery in action. 

Step into the Outback Time Machine and take a trip through time, from pre-pandemic 21st century through the decades all the way to the 60’s. 

This exciting, fast-paced virtual trivia game, packed with nostalgia and good vibes, is guaranteed to produce big laughs, friendly competition, and maybe even some chair-dancing. 

Your virtual game show host will warm up guests with a couple of “table hopper rounds” (breakout room mixers) and split you out into teams. Within minutes, your home office will be transformed into a game show stage with your very own game show buzzers! 

And if your team loves trivia, check out our list of the most incredible virtual trivia games for work teams for even more ideas.

6.  Virtual Jeoparty Social

If your remote team is eager to socialize, have some fun as a group, and channel their competitive spirit, we’ve got just the thing for you! With Virtual Jeoparty Social, you and your colleagues will step into your very own virtual Jeopardy-style game show—equipped with a buzzer button, a professional actor as your host, and an immersive game show platform! Best of all, this game has been infused with an ultra-social twist: players will take part in a unique social mixer challenge between each round. 

With the right team building problem solving activities, you can help your team sharpen their core skills to ensure they’re prepared when they inevitably face a challenge at work. And best of all, you can have fun in the process. 

Do you have any favorite team building activities for building problem-solving skills? If so, tell us about them in the comments section below! 

Learn More About Team Building Problem Solving Activities  

For more information about how your group can take part in a virtual team building, training, or coaching solution, reach out to our Employee Engagement Consultants.     

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I love how this blog provides a variety of problem-solving activities for team building. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to foster teamwork and collaboration!

Sandeep Kashyap

7 Easy problem-solving activities & how your team benefits from them

Introduction

“Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.” – Robert Schuller

Problem-solving activities are a great way to know how team members identify problems, the way they react to them, how quickly they can find potential solutions, and then implement the best one.

When working with a team, there are not one but several types of problems that might occur and as a leader, your mindset should be to guide your team to solve those problems.

You have to take the initiative to make your team better at generating creative solutions when things go wrong.

In this article, you will find 7 easy problem-solving activities designed to encourage teamwork and unlock your team’s creativity.

7 of the easiest problem-solving activities for teams of all sizes

There are some amazing creative activities out there that can work well for team building. These will help you put your team’s problem-solving abilities to the test while they learn how to bring their best qualities forward for effective collaboration.

These creative problem-solving games will break the monotony at the workplace and help you build a more inclusive and welcoming environment for the whole team for effective team building. Here are some of the easiest activities that will help bring substantial change to your team culture and the workplace as a whole.

1. Human knots

Helps with: Collaboration & communication skills 

Estimated time: 15-20 minutes

Things you’ll need: Nothing 

How to do it: 

Make your team stand in a small circle. If your team is large, then you can divide it into smaller groups and make them stand in multiple circles. Each person should hold the hands of two other people standing in the circle, but not of those who are standing directly beside them. 

This should result in creating a “human knot.” The fun part (also the challenging) begins now. Ask each member of the group to untangle themselves without letting go of each other’s hands. You can set a time limit if you want. You can watch your team members as they work out moves to untangle their bodies. 

This activity gives them a chance to communicate and collaborate to solve the problem quickly. They may or may not fully entangle themselves but would have started to work together to solve the problem. 

Why communication is essential to problem-solving

When working as a team, no problem is big enough. A bunch of committed individuals can collaborate to overcome even the most difficult of hurdles. When all team members come together and put in a joint effort as per strategy, the problem will likely be resolved sooner.

Having problems communicating your ideas to the team? Use ProofHub discussions to keep track of ideas and important pitches.

2. A shrinking vessel

Helps with : Adaptability & Quick Thinking 

Estimated time: 10-15 Minutes 

Things you’ll need: A rope and a ball of yarn 

Take a rope and place it on the floor in a particular shape such that all your team members can stand inside it. If your team is large, you can use multiple ropes and divide your team into smaller groups. 

The challenging part starts when all team members are made to stand inside the rope, and you start to shrink the rope slowly. As space reduces, team members will have to make subtle adjustments to maintain their position as well as balance inside the shrinking circle. 

No one should step outside the circle. The challenge before your team is to quickly think together about how to keep everyone inside the circle. 

Why adaptability is essential to problem-solving

This amazingly effective problem-solving activity is for teams who are facing adaptability issues. Adaptability and cognitive diversity go hand in hand, which enables your team to work out things faster. People and organizations that can adapt quickly usually come out on top because they can condition themselves to change circumstances and environments and take on board new ideas and concepts.  

3. Marshmallow spaghetti tower

Helps with: Collaboration 

Estimated time: 20-30 Minutes 

Things you’ll need (per team): 

• 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti
• 1 marshmallow
• A yard of string
• A single roll of masking tape  

Ask your team to utilize all the available materials to construct the tallest tower within a specific period. The tower must stand on its own and be able to support a marshmallow. 

The point behind this problem-solving activity is to train the team to think on their feet while encouraging prototyping and iteration. This activity also helps to promote and build strong camaraderie and leadership. 

Why collaboration is essential to problem-solving – 

Peter Singe, in the Fifth Discipline , writes, “ Collectively, we can be more insightful, more intelligent than we can be individual .” This means we can solve problems better when working as a team than we can alone. 

This problem-solving activity emphasizes team collaboration, which is crucial for the success of any group, irrespective of its size. It also shows that success is dependent upon close collaboration between team members.

4. Frostbite

Helps with: Decision Making, Trust, Leadership

Things you’ll need: 

• An electric fan 
• Construction materials (toothpicks, cardstock, rubber bands, sticky notes, etc.)

Divide your team into groups of 4-5 people each (applicable for large teams). Each team should have its leader to guide them. Remember, team leaders, are not allowed to use their hands in any way to help their respective groups. Now, the fun part of this problem-solving activity is that team members are blindfolded, so they can’t use their hands! 

Every team is given 30 minutes to build a tent. The time is set to create a sense of urgency within the team. For example, give your team a scenario where they have to make a tent to save themselves from approaching thunderstorms. The tent should be able to withstand high winds from the storm.

After the game is over, you can turn on the fan to see which tent can stand on its own even after withstanding winds blowing at high speed. 

This problem-solving activity aims to improve the listening skills of team members to execute the task as per the leader’s instructions. 

Why decision-making is essential to problem-solving

When managing teams and projects , team managers are burdened with the responsibility of making decisions that concern all. Decision-making is essential to problem-solving because if the right decision is taken at the right time, it could resolve the problem, eventually benefiting the entire team and the organization.

5. Egg drop

Helps with: Decision Making & Collaboration 

• A carton of eggs
• Construction materials (balloons, rubber bands, straws, tape, plastic wrap, etc.)
• A place where you can let things get messy! 

Give a single egg to each team and let it choose randomly from different construction materials. The task that is to be assigned to each team is that it has to create a carrier for an egg that prevents it from breaking. 

Once teams are done with creating carriers, place an egg in them and drop them (from over a ledge or a balcony), one by one. The purpose is to find which team’s carrier (s) can save an egg from breaking.

If multiple eggs remain unbroken, you can keep increasing the height of the fall to find out the last egg that survives even after falling from a higher height. The winning team is the one that created the most durable carrier that survived until the last.  

The idea behind this problem-solving activity is to encourage all members of the team to work together towards achieving the common goal. 

Why teamwork is essential to problem-solving

Joint efforts by a group of individuals to achieve the set target by utilizing limited resources can save the organization valuable time, money, and resources. 

6. Dumbest idea first 

How it helps: Critical Thinking & Creative Problem Solving 

Estimated time: 15-20 minutes 

Things you’ll need:  A piece of paper, pen, and pencil 

As the name of this problem-solving activity suggests, the idea is to present a problem to your team and ask them to quickly come up with the dumbest ideas for the problem at hand. This could be a real-world problem that your team is facing, or it could be an imagined scenario. 

Once all team members have written down the dumbest ideas, they could think of, evaluate every idea to determine which ones are most likely to work and which ones are least likely to be seen as a viable solution that can work. 

How critical thinking is essential to problem-solving

Some problems need  to be solved by out-of-the-box thinking. Creative problem-solving ideas might sound unorthodox to work, but these give you additional options to consider. You can discover some solutions that might not be obvious to start with but can be incredibly effective in delivering expected results. 

Brainstorm these dumb (or not so dumb) ideas in ProofHub through online chat. And start your uninterrupted collaborative journey for FREE today. 

How it helps: Communication, Problem-solving, & Management

• A lockable room
• 5-10 puzzles or clue 

Hike the key and a list of clues around the room. Ask team members to solve all the clues to find the key and unlock the room to escape within the allotted time. Hide the clues and, most importantly, the key around the room. 

Ask all team members to enter the room and lock the door. Give them 30 minutes or 1 hour to find the key using the clues hidden in the room. This problem-solving activity can get your team going up and running as they race against the time to find a solution to the problem at hand. 

How putting intensive efforts is essential to problem-solving

Complex problems require an intensive team effort. Your team can achieve specific, time-bound goals by collaborating closely and thinking quickly under pressure.

What team problems are these activities going to solve?

1. Lack of mutual trust

Trust is the basis of strong relationships. No team can hope to achieve success if members do not want to engage with each other and make that human connection that is so vital for them for better collaboration.

Team members should first know each other well, both professionally and personally, primarily before they are assigned a large, complex project where tensions will run high at some point. 

2. Not having a central location for information sharing

When some team members do not get easy access to crucial information related to a project, it can lead to a dreaded information gap within the team. Scattered information makes matters worse for managers and team members.

Having all the information stored and organized in a single location, in the form of files and folders, makes information accessibility easy for all team members. Team members can collaborate on them effectively , review, proof, and share feedback in one place , which saves a whole lot of time.

3. Lack of transparency

“According to an American Psychological Association survey that spoke to more than 1,500 workers , it was found that 50% didn’t feel that their employers shared the information they required to be successful within their jobs.”

For any project to be a success, teams, managers, and clients must be on the same page. Without transparency, trust will take a backseat within the team, and it can lead to a plethora of problems that can spell doomsday for the company. 

The task of establishing transparency starts at the top. Project managers are responsible for setting a prime example for their team members in terms of the way they conduct themselves. Employees are likely to follow their leader’s behaviors, positive or negative, and it becomes your responsibility to inspire them through positive actions.  

4. Poor communication 

“David Grossman reported in “The Cost of Poor Communications” that a survey of 400 companies with 100,000 employees each cited an average loss per company of $62.4 million per year because of inadequate communication to and between employees.”

Poor communication happens when it doesn’t happen regularly across the team, and not all members participate in it. It can also occur when team members interrupt one another, maintain silence, and indicate problems but fail to address them formally. Some members may nod in agreement but may not agree in reality. 

Using different communication modes can bridge the gap between team members. At the same time, encouraging members to share their ideas and concerns openly can also help clear any misunderstandings, doubts, and confusion. 

5. Lack of purpose 

“ One in two employees report that their jobs lack purpose, and an equal number feel disconnected from their company’s mission.”

If I think about the teams I least enjoyed working with, they were the ones that had a vague understanding of what exactly their purpose was and how they planned to achieve that goal. It’s hard to put in your best efforts when you don’t know the purpose behind the work you’re doing. The most satisfying teamwork occurs when the purpose is well-defined and team members are aligned with each other. 

6. Conflict and tension 

“ $359 billion in paid hours or the equivalent of 385 million working days are lost each year due to workplace conflict.”   

Conflicts and tension can be healthy and trigger useful debates if managed carefully. However, team members can cross the line often. The negative effects of workplace conflict include but are not limited to, poor productivity, absenteeism, work disruptions, project failure , lower retention rates, and termination. Different opinions in the workplace are common, but it’s their mishandling that can spell troubles for an organization.

Team leaders can practice constructive criticism to make employees realize their shortcomings without making them feel humiliated. You can appreciate their strong points but should not hesitate to point out their weaknesses (in performance or conduct) in an affirmative tone.  

7. Uncertainty of roles 

This is a common problem, especially among large teams. Some team members are not clear about their roles; what are they supposed to do, and when. At the end of the day, the blame game happens. Team members blame their managers and vice versa, and it’s all due to poor task management. 

By creating and assigning custom roles , managers can allow team members or clients to do things that fall under their work domain and job responsibilities. 

8. Lack of motivation 

“When managers recognize employees’ contribution, their engagement increases by 60%”.

Having demotivated employees working for you is probably the biggest misfortune of your organization. However, have you ever tried to find out the reason for some of your employees losing motivation? It can be due to not being appreciated at work , not feeling like a part of the team, personal reasons, etc. 

Whatever the reason may be, a team manager should quickly confront the situation to solve it for good. Having one-on-one discussions with team members can go a long way in helping you to know about the exact reasons behind their below-par performance and come up with effective solutions. 

What are the benefits of these problem-solving activities ?

“ But how problem-solving activities are going to help me, my team members, and the organization?” Many readers, especially team managers, must have this question in mind while reading this article. 

I understand that readers want to know how problem-solving activities can benefit them. So, I have prepared a list of the pros of such activities to develop positivity in the workplace. Read on to know more about it. 

1. Better thinking

Problem-solving activities help in bringing about the best in every member of the team. Every member enthusiastically puts forth his unique idea of solving the problem. This helps team managers to weigh in different solutions for resolving a problem and then choose the most suitable one. In other words, this process stimulates better thinking. 

For example – A remote team with widely dispersed members was struggling with a lack of communication . Emails and texting were just not good enough. Mike was leading the team, and he asked all members to suggest ways to improve communication within the remote team. 

John suggested using online chat software for instant group or individual chat, Sid suggested using video conferencing software for daily team meetings, and Shane suggested using telephonic calls, texting, and emails for official communication. 

As a result of quick thinking and sharing of ideas, Mike and his team benefited greatly by using different communication modes to share information and feedback easily.  

2. Better risk handling 

Some people can handle a higher amount of risk. It’s because they have successfully dealt with difficult situations before. Team problem-solving activities help in conditioning the minds of individuals so they can respond to stressful situations better. 

3. Better communication 

Regular communication between team members can help to solve problems efficiently. Problem-solving activities within teams foster cooperation and intra-team communication, which eventually creates a better understanding between team members.

“ Try ProofHub TODAY for on-time project delivery and on-point team accountability.”

4. Improved productivity output

When a team works as a strong unit, the company or organization experiences improved productivity, which eventually leads to improved profit margins. The involvement of managers and team members in problem-solving activities can have a positive result for the company in terms of overall growth and profitability. 

How management tools can help you sort out your team collaboration problems

Even though the aforementioned problem-solving activities can be amazingly effective in enhancing collaboration and communication within your team, there’s no denying the fact that using a top-rated team collaboration and project management software like ProofHub can help team managers solve quite a few problems efficiently. 

Whether you’re having trouble with delayed communication, poor organization of files and folders, poor time management, inadequate task management , or low control over teams and projects, ProofHub is your all-in-one solution to put an end to your managerial woes and help you and your team achieve more in less. 

Some powerful features of ProofHub include: 

• Workflows and Kanban Boards
• Online Proofing
• Gantt Charts
• Online Discussions
• Custom Reports
• Timer and Timesheets
• Third-party Integrations
• Announcements
• IP Restrictions 

Pricing –  Simple pricing for all team sizes. For information on our pricing plans, kindly visit our pricing page .

The final thought

Many organizations face a plethora of problems that haunt their teams consistently. These problems have a rippling effect on the team’s performance, hamper its productivity, and cause delays in the organizational goals. 

However, problem-solving activities can bring all members closer as a team and encourage them to contribute to resolving problems effectively while having fun. These easy problem-solving activities can improve your team’s solutions-generating capabilities, eventually benefiting everyone.

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Navigating Key Activities in Business Model Canvas: The Complete Guide

Sam is a financial and business journalist with a focus on business and cryptocurrency market…

Connor is an experienced freelance writer and cryptocurrency specialist based in Glasgow, Scotland. He holds…

The key activities in business model canvas show the main things every company does to make money, no matter its size or type.

These key activities are the heart of how a company works and plans.

The Business Model Canvas , a tool many companies use, points out how important these tasks are and how they connect with other parts of the business.

Key Activities in Business Model Canvas Defined

The key activities in a business model canvas refer to the main things your business does to make money. This includes day-to-day work, marketing, production, solving issues, and office work.

Your key activities will change depending on the type of business you operate .

If you are a web developer, User Interface (UI) design and coding will be key activities. On the other hand, if you are a business coach, problem-solving and customer service are key activities.

When deciding what your key activities are, you’ll think about how you make things, solve problems, and use tools or networks.

But when I guide my clients, I suggest another way to think about these tasks.

In the business model canvas, there are different sections, or “blocks”. One of the goals is to find a unique space in the market where there’s less competition.

This is often called finding a “ blue ocean “ .

So, when thinking about your key activities, it’s about understanding what makes your business special. This helps you stand out and offer something valuable to your customers .

When figuring out the key activities for your business using the business model canvas, I suggest focusing on certain sections.

Even though all sections are important, two of them stand out:

• Your channels;
• Customer relationships.

That’s because your key activities connect what you offer to the people you serve .

For example, if we look at Amazon’s business model, a key activity that makes them different from brick-and-mortar retailers like Walmart is related to the evaluation phase of the channels block.

By collecting and displaying product review information, Amazon assists the buyer in making a decision among similar products .

Since it is not possible to read product reviews at Walmart, collecting and displaying review data is a key activity that helps differentiate Amazon from many of its competitors.

Source: Business Model Analyst, 2023

Another example is when it comes to delivery.

Two-day, next-day Prime delivery, and even drone deliveries are shortening the time between purchasing and receiving the product in your hands, making the delivery phase of its channels a key activity to differentiate Amazon from other online e-commerce sites.

The 5 Channel Phases

When it comes to the five phases that make up the channel block of the business model canvas, here are a few sample questions you will want to address when developing the key activities in business model canvas.

• Awareness – How can you create awareness that you have something to sell? Will a key activity involve being accepted as a speaker at your industry’s annual trade show?
• Evaluation – How can you make it possible for a prospect to evaluate your offering before paying? Will a key activity be implementing a 30-day try-before-you-pay option?
• Purchasing – How can you change the way a customer makes a purchase? Will a key activity be to use cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) to eliminate the need for cashiers?
• Delivery – How can you make the way you deliver your product or service unique? Will a key activity be offering free pick-up and delivery services, in comparison to your competitors requiring customers to come to their establishments?
• Customer Support – How can you change the way a customer is treated after the sale is completed? Will a key activity be to offer native-language instructions like Clorox, or to offer an incentive for employees to quit to test their loyalty, like Zappos?

Customer Relationships

Another area where key activities can help your business find its blue ocean is by changing the customer relationship your business has with its customers.

Most stores that sell computer systems, like Best Buy, rely on knowledgeable salespeople, which can vary and be expensive.

On the other hand, Dell chose a different path with the relationship it has with its customers.

Rather than rely on a salesperson’s knowledge and a customer’s access based on store hour limitations, Dell uses an online application.

By assessing how the customer will use their computer, D ell helps the consumer understand all of their configuration options to build a custom PC.

They even provide a running total and a list of special deals, so the customer can do a series of “what-ifs” to build a computer that will meet their unique needs within their budgets.

Will a key activity be to provide an automated service like Dell, a dedicated personal assistant for the life of the relationship like Wells Fargo’s Private Banking Services, or allow customers to be part of your offering with a co-creation option like YouTube?

In conclusion, while examining all of the nine core blocks of your business model canvas may help you define your key activities, there are 4 primary questions you must ask yourself :

• What key activities do your value propositions require?
• What key activities do your channels require?
• What key activities do your customer relationships require?
• Do you have a clear picture of all the key activities you have to perform to produce your output?

The Importance of Evolution in Key Activities in the Business Model Canvas

Businesses change over time, and so do their key activities.

It’s crucial to see that what was a key activity today might not be tomorrow. The digital age has changed how customers act, the tech we use, and the market.

So, businesses must always evaluate their key activities in the business model canvas to stay on top.

For example, ten years ago, having a website was a big deal. Now, it’s normal.

The key activity today might be making that website work well on phones or adding chat tools to help customers.

Incorporating Feedback Loops

A good way to see if your key activities are still the right fit is by getting feedback . This means asking customers, workers, and others what they think and using that to change your key activities in the business model canvas.

Let’s say you sell things online, and many customers say delivery is slow.

Then, making delivery faster is a key activity . But if customers love a part of your product, you might want to do more of that.

The Role of Technology in Defining Key Activities

Technology is big in shaping key activities. With more data, businesses can know what customers want. This information can reveal new key activities.

Also, with more people on social media, looking after your brand online is another key activity.

This means seeing what people say about you online and addressing any negative comments.

Embracing the Dynamic Nature of Key Activities in Business Model Canvas

To sum up, the business world keeps changing rapidly, and so do the key activities in business model canvas that help a company do well.

The Business Model Canvas is a tool that helps businesses see and pick these tasks.

Whether it’s changing with new tech, listening to what customers say, or just looking again at what the company does, it’s clear that businesses need to be ready to change .

By always checking and changing the key activities in the business model canvas, companies can make sure they stay up-to-date, do well against others, and meet what their customers want.

As technology keeps changing how we do business, companies that keep their key activities updated will do the best .

For more insights on business planning and strategies, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA, 2023) offers a range of resources on how to create a business plan.

• Business Model Analyst, 2023

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How to improve your problem solving skills and build effective problem solving strategies

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Effective problem solving is all about using the right process and following a plan tailored to the issue at hand. Recognizing your team or organization has an issue isn’t enough to come up with effective problem solving strategies. 

To truly understand a problem and develop appropriate solutions, you will want to follow a solid process, follow the necessary problem solving steps, and bring all of your problem solving skills to the table.   We’ll forst look at what problem solving strategies you can employ with your team when looking for a way to approach the process. We’ll then discuss the problem solving skills you need to be more effective at solving problems, complete with an activity from the SessionLab library you can use to develop that skill in your team.

Let’s get to it! 

Problem solving strategies

What skills do i need to be an effective problem solver, how can i improve my problem solving skills.

Problem solving strategies are methods of approaching and facilitating the process of problem-solving with a set of techniques , actions, and processes. Different strategies are more effective if you are trying to solve broad problems such as achieving higher growth versus more focused problems like, how do we improve our customer onboarding process?

Broadly, the problem solving steps outlined above should be included in any problem solving strategy though choosing where to focus your time and what approaches should be taken is where they begin to differ. You might find that some strategies ask for the problem identification to be done prior to the session or that everything happens in the course of a one day workshop.

The key similarity is that all good problem solving strategies are structured and designed. Four hours of open discussion is never going to be as productive as a four-hour workshop designed to lead a group through a problem solving process.

Good problem solving strategies are tailored to the team, organization and problem you will be attempting to solve. Here are some example problem solving strategies you can learn from or use to get started.

Use a workshop to lead a team through a group process

Often, the first step to solving problems or organizational challenges is bringing a group together effectively. Most teams have the tools, knowledge, and expertise necessary to solve their challenges – they just need some guidance in how to use leverage those skills and a structure and format that allows people to focus their energies.

Facilitated workshops are one of the most effective ways of solving problems of any scale. By designing and planning your workshop carefully, you can tailor the approach and scope to best fit the needs of your team and organization. 

Problem solving workshop

• Creating a bespoke, tailored process
• Tackling problems of any size
• Building in-house workshop ability and encouraging their use

Workshops are an effective strategy for solving problems. By using tried and test facilitation techniques and methods, you can design and deliver a workshop that is perfectly suited to the unique variables of your organization. You may only have the capacity for a half-day workshop and so need a problem solving process to match. 

By using our session planner tool and importing methods from our library of 700+ facilitation techniques, you can create the right problem solving workshop for your team. It might be that you want to encourage creative thinking or look at things from a new angle to unblock your groups approach to problem solving. By tailoring your workshop design to the purpose, you can help ensure great results.

One of the main benefits of a workshop is the structured approach to problem solving. Not only does this mean that the workshop itself will be successful, but many of the methods and techniques will help your team improve their working processes outside of the workshop. 

We believe that workshops are one of the best tools you can use to improve the way your team works together. Start with a problem solving workshop and then see what team building, culture or design workshops can do for your organization!

Run a design sprint

Great for: 

• aligning large, multi-discipline teams
• quickly designing and testing solutions
• tackling large, complex organizational challenges and breaking them down into smaller tasks

By using design thinking principles and methods, a design sprint is a great way of identifying, prioritizing and prototyping solutions to long term challenges that can help solve major organizational problems with quick action and measurable results.

Some familiarity with design thinking is useful, though not integral, and this strategy can really help a team align if there is some discussion around which problems should be approached first. 

The stage-based structure of the design sprint is also very useful for teams new to design thinking.  The inspiration phase, where you look to competitors that have solved your problem, and the rapid prototyping and testing phases are great for introducing new concepts that will benefit a team in all their future work. 

It can be common for teams to look inward for solutions and so looking to the market for solutions you can iterate on can be very productive. Instilling an agile prototyping and testing mindset can also be great when helping teams move forwards – generating and testing solutions quickly can help save time in the long run and is also pretty exciting!

Break problems down into smaller issues

Organizational challenges and problems are often complicated and large scale in nature. Sometimes, trying to resolve such an issue in one swoop is simply unachievable or overwhelming. Try breaking down such problems into smaller issues that you can work on step by step. You may not be able to solve the problem of churning customers off the bat, but you can work with your team to identify smaller effort but high impact elements and work on those first.

This problem solving strategy can help a team generate momentum, prioritize and get some easy wins. It’s also a great strategy to employ with teams who are just beginning to learn how to approach the problem solving process. If you want some insight into a way to employ this strategy, we recommend looking at our design sprint template below!

Use guiding frameworks or try new methodologies

Some problems are best solved by introducing a major shift in perspective or by using new methodologies that encourage your team to think differently.

Props and tools such as Methodkit , which uses a card-based toolkit for facilitation, or Lego Serious Play can be great ways to engage your team and find an inclusive, democratic problem solving strategy. Remember that play and creativity are great tools for achieving change and whatever the challenge, engaging your participants can be very effective where other strategies may have failed.

LEGO Serious Play

• Improving core problem solving skills
• Thinking outside of the box
• Encouraging creative solutions

LEGO Serious Play is a problem solving methodology designed to get participants thinking differently by using 3D models and kinesthetic learning styles. By physically building LEGO models based on questions and exercises, participants are encouraged to think outside of the box and create their own responses. 

Collaborate LEGO Serious Play exercises are also used to encourage communication and build problem solving skills in a group. By using this problem solving process, you can often help different kinds of learners and personality types contribute and unblock organizational problems with creative thinking. 

Problem solving strategies like LEGO Serious Play are super effective at helping a team solve more skills-based problems such as communication between teams or a lack of creative thinking. Some problems are not suited to LEGO Serious Play and require a different problem solving strategy.

Card Decks and Method Kits

• New facilitators or non-facilitators 
• Approaching difficult subjects with a simple, creative framework
• Engaging those with varied learning styles

Card decks and method kids are great tools for those new to facilitation or for whom facilitation is not the primary role. Card decks such as the emotional culture deck can be used for complete workshops and in many cases, can be used right out of the box. Methodkit has a variety of kits designed for scenarios ranging from personal development through to personas and global challenges so you can find the right deck for your particular needs.

Having an easy to use framework that encourages creativity or a new approach can take some of the friction or planning difficulties out of the workshop process and energize a team in any setting. Simplicity is the key with these methods. By ensuring everyone on your team can get involved and engage with the process as quickly as possible can really contribute to the success of your problem solving strategy.

Source external advice

Looking to peers, experts and external facilitators can be a great way of approaching the problem solving process. Your team may not have the necessary expertise, insights of experience to tackle some issues, or you might simply benefit from a fresh perspective. Some problems may require bringing together an entire team, and coaching managers or team members individually might be the right approach. Remember that not all problems are best resolved in the same manner.

If you’re a solo entrepreneur, peer groups, coaches and mentors can also be invaluable at not only solving specific business problems, but in providing a support network for resolving future challenges. One great approach is to join a Mastermind Group and link up with like-minded individuals and all grow together. Remember that however you approach the sourcing of external advice, do so thoughtfully, respectfully and honestly. Reciprocate where you can and prepare to be surprised by just how kind and helpful your peers can be!

Mastermind Group

• Solo entrepreneurs or small teams with low capacity
• Peer learning and gaining outside expertise
• Getting multiple external points of view quickly

Problem solving in large organizations with lots of skilled team members is one thing, but how about if you work for yourself or in a very small team without the capacity to get the most from a design sprint or LEGO Serious Play session? 

A mastermind group – sometimes known as a peer advisory board – is where a group of people come together to support one another in their own goals, challenges, and businesses. Each participant comes to the group with their own purpose and the other members of the group will help them create solutions, brainstorm ideas, and support one another. 

Mastermind groups are very effective in creating an energized, supportive atmosphere that can deliver meaningful results. Learning from peers from outside of your organization or industry can really help unlock new ways of thinking and drive growth. Access to the experience and skills of your peers can be invaluable in helping fill the gaps in your own ability, particularly in young companies.

A mastermind group is a great solution for solo entrepreneurs, small teams, or for organizations that feel that external expertise or fresh perspectives will be beneficial for them. It is worth noting that Mastermind groups are often only as good as the participants and what they can bring to the group. Participants need to be committed, engaged and understand how to work in this context. 

Coaching and mentoring

• Focused learning and development
• Filling skills gaps
• Working on a range of challenges over time

Receiving advice from a business coach or building a mentor/mentee relationship can be an effective way of resolving certain challenges. The one-to-one format of most coaching and mentor relationships can really help solve the challenges those individuals are having and benefit the organization as a result.

A great mentor can be invaluable when it comes to spotting potential problems before they arise and coming to understand a mentee very well has a host of other business benefits. You might run an internal mentorship program to help develop your team’s problem solving skills and strategies or as part of a large learning and development program. External coaches can also be an important part of your problem solving strategy, filling skills gaps for your management team or helping with specific business issues. 

Now we’ve explored the problem solving process and the steps you will want to go through in order to have an effective session, let’s look at the skills you and your team need to be more effective problem solvers.

Problem solving skills are highly sought after, whatever industry or team you work in. Organizations are keen to employ people who are able to approach problems thoughtfully and find strong, realistic solutions. Whether you are a facilitator , a team leader or a developer, being an effective problem solver is a skill you’ll want to develop.

Problem solving skills form a whole suite of techniques and approaches that an individual uses to not only identify problems but to discuss them productively before then developing appropriate solutions.

Here are some of the most important problem solving skills everyone from executives to junior staff members should learn. We’ve also included an activity or exercise from the SessionLab library that can help you and your team develop that skill. 

If you’re running a workshop or training session to try and improve problem solving skills in your team, try using these methods to supercharge your process!

Active listening

Active listening is one of the most important skills anyone who works with people can possess. In short, active listening is a technique used to not only better understand what is being said by an individual, but also to be more aware of the underlying message the speaker is trying to convey. When it comes to problem solving, active listening is integral for understanding the position of every participant and to clarify the challenges, ideas and solutions they bring to the table.

Some active listening skills include:

• Paying complete attention to the speaker.
• Removing distractions.
• Avoid interruption.
• Taking the time to fully understand before preparing a rebuttal.
• Responding respectfully and appropriately.
• Demonstrate attentiveness and positivity with an open posture, making eye contact with the speaker, smiling and nodding if appropriate. Show that you are listening and encourage them to continue.
• Be aware of and respectful of feelings. Judge the situation and respond appropriately. You can disagree without being disrespectful.   
• Observe body language. 
• Paraphrase what was said in your own words, either mentally or verbally.
• Remain neutral. 
• Reflect and take a moment before responding.
• Ask deeper questions based on what is said and clarify points where necessary.   

Active Listening   #hyperisland   #skills   #active listening   #remote-friendly   This activity supports participants to reflect on a question and generate their own solutions using simple principles of active listening and peer coaching. It’s an excellent introduction to active listening but can also be used with groups that are already familiar with it. Participants work in groups of three and take turns being: “the subject”, the listener, and the observer.

Analytical skills

All problem solving models require strong analytical skills, particularly during the beginning of the process and when it comes to analyzing how solutions have performed.

Analytical skills are primarily focused on performing an effective analysis by collecting, studying and parsing data related to a problem or opportunity. 

It often involves spotting patterns, being able to see things from different perspectives and using observable facts and data to make suggestions or produce insight. 

Analytical skills are also important at every stage of the problem solving process and by having these skills, you can ensure that any ideas or solutions you create or backed up analytically and have been sufficiently thought out.

Nine Whys   #innovation   #issue analysis   #liberating structures   With breathtaking simplicity, you can rapidly clarify for individuals and a group what is essentially important in their work. You can quickly reveal when a compelling purpose is missing in a gathering and avoid moving forward without clarity. When a group discovers an unambiguous shared purpose, more freedom and more responsibility are unleashed. You have laid the foundation for spreading and scaling innovations with fidelity.

Collaboration

Trying to solve problems on your own is difficult. Being able to collaborate effectively, with a free exchange of ideas, to delegate and be a productive member of a team is hugely important to all problem solving strategies.

Remember that whatever your role, collaboration is integral, and in a problem solving process, you are all working together to find the best solution for everyone. 

Marshmallow challenge with debriefing   #teamwork   #team   #leadership   #collaboration   In eighteen minutes, teams must build the tallest free-standing structure out of 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. The marshmallow needs to be on top. The Marshmallow Challenge was developed by Tom Wujec, who has done the activity with hundreds of groups around the world. Visit the Marshmallow Challenge website for more information. This version has an extra debriefing question added with sample questions focusing on roles within the team.

Communication  

Being an effective communicator means being empathetic, clear and succinct, asking the right questions, and demonstrating active listening skills throughout any discussion or meeting. 

In a problem solving setting, you need to communicate well in order to progress through each stage of the process effectively. As a team leader, it may also fall to you to facilitate communication between parties who may not see eye to eye. Effective communication also means helping others to express themselves and be heard in a group.

Bus Trip   #feedback   #communication   #appreciation   #closing   #thiagi   #team   This is one of my favourite feedback games. I use Bus Trip at the end of a training session or a meeting, and I use it all the time. The game creates a massive amount of energy with lots of smiles, laughs, and sometimes even a teardrop or two.

Creative problem solving skills can be some of the best tools in your arsenal. Thinking creatively, being able to generate lots of ideas and come up with out of the box solutions is useful at every step of the process. 

The kinds of problems you will likely discuss in a problem solving workshop are often difficult to solve, and by approaching things in a fresh, creative manner, you can often create more innovative solutions.

Having practical creative skills is also a boon when it comes to problem solving. If you can help create quality design sketches and prototypes in record time, it can help bring a team to alignment more quickly or provide a base for further iteration.

The paper clip method   #sharing   #creativity   #warm up   #idea generation   #brainstorming   The power of brainstorming. A training for project leaders, creativity training, and to catalyse getting new solutions.

Critical thinking

Critical thinking is one of the fundamental problem solving skills you’ll want to develop when working on developing solutions. Critical thinking is the ability to analyze, rationalize and evaluate while being aware of personal bias, outlying factors and remaining open-minded.

Defining and analyzing problems without deploying critical thinking skills can mean you and your team go down the wrong path. Developing solutions to complex issues requires critical thinking too – ensuring your team considers all possibilities and rationally evaluating them. 

Agreement-Certainty Matrix   #issue analysis   #liberating structures   #problem solving   You can help individuals or groups avoid the frequent mistake of trying to solve a problem with methods that are not adapted to the nature of their challenge. The combination of two questions makes it possible to easily sort challenges into four categories: simple, complicated, complex , and chaotic .  A problem is simple when it can be solved reliably with practices that are easy to duplicate.  It is complicated when experts are required to devise a sophisticated solution that will yield the desired results predictably.  A problem is complex when there are several valid ways to proceed but outcomes are not predictable in detail.  Chaotic is when the context is too turbulent to identify a path forward.  A loose analogy may be used to describe these differences: simple is like following a recipe, complicated like sending a rocket to the moon, complex like raising a child, and chaotic is like the game “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.”  The Liberating Structures Matching Matrix in Chapter 5 can be used as the first step to clarify the nature of a challenge and avoid the mismatches between problems and solutions that are frequently at the root of chronic, recurring problems.

Data analysis 

Though it shares lots of space with general analytical skills, data analysis skills are something you want to cultivate in their own right in order to be an effective problem solver.

Being good at data analysis doesn’t just mean being able to find insights from data, but also selecting the appropriate data for a given issue, interpreting it effectively and knowing how to model and present that data. Depending on the problem at hand, it might also include a working knowledge of specific data analysis tools and procedures. 

Having a solid grasp of data analysis techniques is useful if you’re leading a problem solving workshop but if you’re not an expert, don’t worry. Bring people into the group who has this skill set and help your team be more effective as a result.

Decision making

All problems need a solution and all solutions require that someone make the decision to implement them. Without strong decision making skills, teams can become bogged down in discussion and less effective as a result. 

Making decisions is a key part of the problem solving process. It’s important to remember that decision making is not restricted to the leadership team. Every staff member makes decisions every day and developing these skills ensures that your team is able to solve problems at any scale. Remember that making decisions does not mean leaping to the first solution but weighing up the options and coming to an informed, well thought out solution to any given problem that works for the whole team.

Lightning Decision Jam (LDJ)   #action   #decision making   #problem solving   #issue analysis   #innovation   #design   #remote-friendly   The problem with anything that requires creative thinking is that it’s easy to get lost—lose focus and fall into the trap of having useless, open-ended, unstructured discussions. Here’s the most effective solution I’ve found: Replace all open, unstructured discussion with a clear process. What to use this exercise for: Anything which requires a group of people to make decisions, solve problems or discuss challenges. It’s always good to frame an LDJ session with a broad topic, here are some examples: The conversion flow of our checkout Our internal design process How we organise events Keeping up with our competition Improving sales flow

Dependability

Most complex organizational problems require multiple people to be involved in delivering the solution. Ensuring that the team and organization can depend on you to take the necessary actions and communicate where necessary is key to ensuring problems are solved effectively.

Being dependable also means working to deadlines and to brief. It is often a matter of creating trust in a team so that everyone can depend on one another to complete the agreed actions in the agreed time frame so that the team can move forward together. Being undependable can create problems of friction and can limit the effectiveness of your solutions so be sure to bear this in mind throughout a project. 

Team Purpose & Culture   #team   #hyperisland   #culture   #remote-friendly   This is an essential process designed to help teams define their purpose (why they exist) and their culture (how they work together to achieve that purpose). Defining these two things will help any team to be more focused and aligned. With support of tangible examples from other companies, the team members work as individuals and a group to codify the way they work together. The goal is a visual manifestation of both the purpose and culture that can be put up in the team’s work space.

Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is an important skill for any successful team member, whether communicating internally or with clients or users. In the problem solving process, emotional intelligence means being attuned to how people are feeling and thinking, communicating effectively and being self-aware of what you bring to a room. 

There are often differences of opinion when working through problem solving processes, and it can be easy to let things become impassioned or combative. Developing your emotional intelligence means being empathetic to your colleagues and managing your own emotions throughout the problem and solution process. Be kind, be thoughtful and put your points across care and attention. 

Being emotionally intelligent is a skill for life and by deploying it at work, you can not only work efficiently but empathetically. Check out the emotional culture workshop template for more!

Facilitation

As we’ve clarified in our facilitation skills post, facilitation is the art of leading people through processes towards agreed-upon objectives in a manner that encourages participation, ownership, and creativity by all those involved. While facilitation is a set of interrelated skills in itself, the broad definition of facilitation can be invaluable when it comes to problem solving. Leading a team through a problem solving process is made more effective if you improve and utilize facilitation skills – whether you’re a manager, team leader or external stakeholder.

The Six Thinking Hats   #creative thinking   #meeting facilitation   #problem solving   #issue resolution   #idea generation   #conflict resolution   The Six Thinking Hats are used by individuals and groups to separate out conflicting styles of thinking. They enable and encourage a group of people to think constructively together in exploring and implementing change, rather than using argument to fight over who is right and who is wrong.

Flexibility 

Being flexible is a vital skill when it comes to problem solving. This does not mean immediately bowing to pressure or changing your opinion quickly: instead, being flexible is all about seeing things from new perspectives, receiving new information and factoring it into your thought process.

Flexibility is also important when it comes to rolling out solutions. It might be that other organizational projects have greater priority or require the same resources as your chosen solution. Being flexible means understanding needs and challenges across the team and being open to shifting or arranging your own schedule as necessary. Again, this does not mean immediately making way for other projects. It’s about articulating your own needs, understanding the needs of others and being able to come to a meaningful compromise.

The Creativity Dice   #creativity   #problem solving   #thiagi   #issue analysis   Too much linear thinking is hazardous to creative problem solving. To be creative, you should approach the problem (or the opportunity) from different points of view. You should leave a thought hanging in mid-air and move to another. This skipping around prevents premature closure and lets your brain incubate one line of thought while you consciously pursue another.

Working in any group can lead to unconscious elements of groupthink or situations in which you may not wish to be entirely honest. Disagreeing with the opinions of the executive team or wishing to save the feelings of a coworker can be tricky to navigate, but being honest is absolutely vital when to comes to developing effective solutions and ensuring your voice is heard. 

Remember that being honest does not mean being brutally candid. You can deliver your honest feedback and opinions thoughtfully and without creating friction by using other skills such as emotional intelligence. 

Explore your Values   #hyperisland   #skills   #values   #remote-friendly   Your Values is an exercise for participants to explore what their most important values are. It’s done in an intuitive and rapid way to encourage participants to follow their intuitive feeling rather than over-thinking and finding the “correct” values. It is a good exercise to use to initiate reflection and dialogue around personal values.

Initiative 

The problem solving process is multi-faceted and requires different approaches at certain points of the process. Taking initiative to bring problems to the attention of the team, collect data or lead the solution creating process is always valuable. You might even roadtest your own small scale solutions or brainstorm before a session. Taking initiative is particularly effective if you have good deal of knowledge in that area or have ownership of a particular project and want to get things kickstarted.

That said, be sure to remember to honor the process and work in service of the team. If you are asked to own one part of the problem solving process and you don’t complete that task because your initiative leads you to work on something else, that’s not an effective method of solving business challenges.

15% Solutions   #action   #liberating structures   #remote-friendly   You can reveal the actions, however small, that everyone can do immediately. At a minimum, these will create momentum, and that may make a BIG difference.  15% Solutions show that there is no reason to wait around, feel powerless, or fearful. They help people pick it up a level. They get individuals and the group to focus on what is within their discretion instead of what they cannot change.  With a very simple question, you can flip the conversation to what can be done and find solutions to big problems that are often distributed widely in places not known in advance. Shifting a few grains of sand may trigger a landslide and change the whole landscape.

Impartiality

A particularly useful problem solving skill for product owners or managers is the ability to remain impartial throughout much of the process. In practice, this means treating all points of view and ideas brought forward in a meeting equally and ensuring that your own areas of interest or ownership are not favored over others. 

There may be a stage in the process where a decision maker has to weigh the cost and ROI of possible solutions against the company roadmap though even then, ensuring that the decision made is based on merit and not personal opinion. 

Empathy map   #frame insights   #create   #design   #issue analysis   An empathy map is a tool to help a design team to empathize with the people they are designing for. You can make an empathy map for a group of people or for a persona. To be used after doing personas when more insights are needed.

Being a good leader means getting a team aligned, energized and focused around a common goal. In the problem solving process, strong leadership helps ensure that the process is efficient, that any conflicts are resolved and that a team is managed in the direction of success.

It’s common for managers or executives to assume this role in a problem solving workshop, though it’s important that the leader maintains impartiality and does not bulldoze the group in a particular direction. Remember that good leadership means working in service of the purpose and team and ensuring the workshop is a safe space for employees of any level to contribute. Take a look at our leadership games and activities post for more exercises and methods to help improve leadership in your organization.

Leadership Pizza   #leadership   #team   #remote-friendly   This leadership development activity offers a self-assessment framework for people to first identify what skills, attributes and attitudes they find important for effective leadership, and then assess their own development and initiate goal setting.

In the context of problem solving, mediation is important in keeping a team engaged, happy and free of conflict. When leading or facilitating a problem solving workshop, you are likely to run into differences of opinion. Depending on the nature of the problem, certain issues may be brought up that are emotive in nature. 

Being an effective mediator means helping those people on either side of such a divide are heard, listen to one another and encouraged to find common ground and a resolution. Mediating skills are useful for leaders and managers in many situations and the problem solving process is no different.

Conflict Responses   #hyperisland   #team   #issue resolution   A workshop for a team to reflect on past conflicts, and use them to generate guidelines for effective conflict handling. The workshop uses the Thomas-Killman model of conflict responses to frame a reflective discussion. Use it to open up a discussion around conflict with a team.

Planning 

Solving organizational problems is much more effective when following a process or problem solving model. Planning skills are vital in order to structure, deliver and follow-through on a problem solving workshop and ensure your solutions are intelligently deployed.

Planning skills include the ability to organize tasks and a team, plan and design the process and take into account any potential challenges. Taking the time to plan carefully can save time and frustration later in the process and is valuable for ensuring a team is positioned for success.

3 Action Steps   #hyperisland   #action   #remote-friendly   This is a small-scale strategic planning session that helps groups and individuals to take action toward a desired change. It is often used at the end of a workshop or programme. The group discusses and agrees on a vision, then creates some action steps that will lead them towards that vision. The scope of the challenge is also defined, through discussion of the helpful and harmful factors influencing the group.

Prioritization

As organisations grow, the scale and variation of problems they face multiplies. Your team or is likely to face numerous challenges in different areas and so having the skills to analyze and prioritize becomes very important, particularly for those in leadership roles.

A thorough problem solving process is likely to deliver multiple solutions and you may have several different problems you wish to solve simultaneously. Prioritization is the ability to measure the importance, value, and effectiveness of those possible solutions and choose which to enact and in what order. The process of prioritization is integral in ensuring the biggest challenges are addressed with the most impactful solutions.

Impact and Effort Matrix   #gamestorming   #decision making   #action   #remote-friendly   In this decision-making exercise, possible actions are mapped based on two factors: effort required to implement and potential impact. Categorizing ideas along these lines is a useful technique in decision making, as it obliges contributors to balance and evaluate suggested actions before committing to them.

Project management

Some problem solving skills are utilized in a workshop or ideation phases, while others come in useful when it comes to decision making. Overseeing an entire problem solving process and ensuring its success requires strong project management skills. 

While project management incorporates many of the other skills listed here, it is important to note the distinction of considering all of the factors of a project and managing them successfully. Being able to negotiate with stakeholders, manage tasks, time and people, consider costs and ROI, and tie everything together is massively helpful when going through the problem solving process. 

Record keeping

Working out meaningful solutions to organizational challenges is only one part of the process.  Thoughtfully documenting and keeping records of each problem solving step for future consultation is important in ensuring efficiency and meaningful change. 

For example, some problems may be lower priority than others but can be revisited in the future. If the team has ideated on solutions and found some are not up to the task, record those so you can rule them out and avoiding repeating work. Keeping records of the process also helps you improve and refine your problem solving model next time around!

Personal Kanban   #gamestorming   #action   #agile   #project planning   Personal Kanban is a tool for organizing your work to be more efficient and productive. It is based on agile methods and principles.

Research skills

Conducting research to support both the identification of problems and the development of appropriate solutions is important for an effective process. Knowing where to go to collect research, how to conduct research efficiently, and identifying pieces of research are relevant are all things a good researcher can do well. 

In larger groups, not everyone has to demonstrate this ability in order for a problem solving workshop to be effective. That said, having people with research skills involved in the process, particularly if they have existing area knowledge, can help ensure the solutions that are developed with data that supports their intention. Remember that being able to deliver the results of research efficiently and in a way the team can easily understand is also important. The best data in the world is only as effective as how it is delivered and interpreted.

Customer experience map   #ideation   #concepts   #research   #design   #issue analysis   #remote-friendly   Customer experience mapping is a method of documenting and visualizing the experience a customer has as they use the product or service. It also maps out their responses to their experiences. To be used when there is a solution (even in a conceptual stage) that can be analyzed.

Risk management

Managing risk is an often overlooked part of the problem solving process. Solutions are often developed with the intention of reducing exposure to risk or solving issues that create risk but sometimes, great solutions are more experimental in nature and as such, deploying them needs to be carefully considered. 

Managing risk means acknowledging that there may be risks associated with more out of the box solutions or trying new things, but that this must be measured against the possible benefits and other organizational factors. 

Be informed, get the right data and stakeholders in the room and you can appropriately factor risk into your decision making process. 

Decisions, Decisions…   #communication   #decision making   #thiagi   #action   #issue analysis   When it comes to decision-making, why are some of us more prone to take risks while others are risk-averse? One explanation might be the way the decision and options were presented.  This exercise, based on Kahneman and Tversky’s classic study , illustrates how the framing effect influences our judgement and our ability to make decisions . The participants are divided into two groups. Both groups are presented with the same problem and two alternative programs for solving them. The two programs both have the same consequences but are presented differently. The debriefing discussion examines how the framing of the program impacted the participant’s decision.

Team-building 

No single person is as good at problem solving as a team. Building an effective team and helping them come together around a common purpose is one of the most important problem solving skills, doubly so for leaders. By bringing a team together and helping them work efficiently, you pave the way for team ownership of a problem and the development of effective solutions. 

In a problem solving workshop, it can be tempting to jump right into the deep end, though taking the time to break the ice, energize the team and align them with a game or exercise will pay off over the course of the day.

Remember that you will likely go through the problem solving process multiple times over an organization’s lifespan and building a strong team culture will make future problem solving more effective. It’s also great to work with people you know, trust and have fun with. Working on team building in and out of the problem solving process is a hallmark of successful teams that can work together to solve business problems.

9 Dimensions Team Building Activity   #ice breaker   #teambuilding   #team   #remote-friendly   9 Dimensions is a powerful activity designed to build relationships and trust among team members. There are 2 variations of this icebreaker. The first version is for teams who want to get to know each other better. The second version is for teams who want to explore how they are working together as a team.

Time management 

The problem solving process is designed to lead a team from identifying a problem through to delivering a solution and evaluating its effectiveness. Without effective time management skills or timeboxing of tasks, it can be easy for a team to get bogged down or be inefficient.

By using a problem solving model and carefully designing your workshop, you can allocate time efficiently and trust that the process will deliver the results you need in a good timeframe.

Time management also comes into play when it comes to rolling out solutions, particularly those that are experimental in nature. Having a clear timeframe for implementing and evaluating solutions is vital for ensuring their success and being able to pivot if necessary.

Improving your skills at problem solving is often a career-long pursuit though there are methods you can use to make the learning process more efficient and to supercharge your problem solving skillset.

Remember that the skills you need to be a great problem solver have a large overlap with those skills you need to be effective in any role. Investing time and effort to develop your active listening or critical thinking skills is valuable in any context. Here are 7 ways to improve your problem solving skills.

Share best practices

Remember that your team is an excellent source of skills, wisdom, and techniques and that you should all take advantage of one another where possible. Best practices that one team has for solving problems, conducting research or making decisions should be shared across the organization. If you have in-house staff that have done active listening training or are data analysis pros, have them lead a training session. 

Your team is one of your best resources. Create space and internal processes for the sharing of skills so that you can all grow together. 

Ask for help and attend training

Once you’ve figured out you have a skills gap, the next step is to take action to fill that skills gap. That might be by asking your superior for training or coaching, or liaising with team members with that skill set. You might even attend specialized training for certain skills – active listening or critical thinking, for example, are business-critical skills that are regularly offered as part of a training scheme.

Whatever method you choose, remember that taking action of some description is necessary for growth. Whether that means practicing, getting help, attending training or doing some background reading, taking active steps to improve your skills is the way to go.

Learn a process 

Problem solving can be complicated, particularly when attempting to solve large problems for the first time. Using a problem solving process helps give structure to your problem solving efforts and focus on creating outcomes, rather than worrying about the format. 

Tools such as the seven-step problem solving process above are effective because not only do they feature steps that will help a team solve problems, they also develop skills along the way. Each step asks for people to engage with the process using different skills and in doing so, helps the team learn and grow together. Group processes of varying complexity and purpose can also be found in the SessionLab library of facilitation techniques . Using a tried and tested process and really help ease the learning curve for both those leading such a process, as well as those undergoing the purpose.

Effective teams make decisions about where they should and shouldn’t expend additional effort. By using a problem solving process, you can focus on the things that matter, rather than stumbling towards a solution haphazardly. 

Create a feedback loop

Some skills gaps are more obvious than others. It’s possible that your perception of your active listening skills differs from those of your colleagues. 

It’s valuable to create a system where team members can provide feedback in an ordered and friendly manner so they can all learn from one another. Only by identifying areas of improvement can you then work to improve them. 

Remember that feedback systems require oversight and consideration so that they don’t turn into a place to complain about colleagues. Design the system intelligently so that you encourage the creation of learning opportunities, rather than encouraging people to list their pet peeves.

While practice might not make perfect, it does make the problem solving process easier. If you are having trouble with critical thinking, don’t shy away from doing it. Get involved where you can and stretch those muscles as regularly as possible. 

Problem solving skills come more naturally to some than to others and that’s okay. Take opportunities to get involved and see where you can practice your skills in situations outside of a workshop context. Try collaborating in other circumstances at work or conduct data analysis on your own projects. You can often develop those skills you need for problem solving simply by doing them. Get involved!

Use expert exercises and methods

Learn from the best. Our library of 700+ facilitation techniques is full of activities and methods that help develop the skills you need to be an effective problem solver. Check out our templates to see how to approach problem solving and other organizational challenges in a structured and intelligent manner.

There is no single approach to improving problem solving skills, but by using the techniques employed by others you can learn from their example and develop processes that have seen proven results. 

Try new ways of thinking and change your mindset

Using tried and tested exercises that you know well can help deliver results, but you do run the risk of missing out on the learning opportunities offered by new approaches. As with the problem solving process, changing your mindset can remove blockages and be used to develop your problem solving skills.

Most teams have members with mixed skill sets and specialties. Mix people from different teams and share skills and different points of view. Teach your customer support team how to use design thinking methods or help your developers with conflict resolution techniques. Try switching perspectives with facilitation techniques like Flip It! or by using new problem solving methodologies or models. Give design thinking, liberating structures or lego serious play a try if you want to try a new approach. You will find that framing problems in new ways and using existing skills in new contexts can be hugely useful for personal development and improving your skillset. It’s also a lot of fun to try new things. Give it a go!

Encountering business challenges and needing to find appropriate solutions is not unique to your organization. Lots of very smart people have developed methods, theories and approaches to help develop problem solving skills and create effective solutions. Learn from them!

Books like The Art of Thinking Clearly , Think Smarter, or Thinking Fast, Thinking Slow are great places to start, though it’s also worth looking at blogs related to organizations facing similar problems to yours, or browsing for success stories. Seeing how Dropbox massively increased growth and working backward can help you see the skills or approach you might be lacking to solve that same problem. Learning from others by reading their stories or approaches can be time-consuming but ultimately rewarding.

A tired, distracted mind is not in the best position to learn new skills. It can be tempted to burn the candle at both ends and develop problem solving skills outside of work. Absolutely use your time effectively and take opportunities for self-improvement, though remember that rest is hugely important and that without letting your brain rest, you cannot be at your most effective. 

Creating distance between yourself and the problem you might be facing can also be useful. By letting an idea sit, you can find that a better one presents itself or you can develop it further. Take regular breaks when working and create a space for downtime. Remember that working smarter is preferable to working harder and that self-care is important for any effective learning or improvement process.

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Over to you

Now we’ve explored some of the key problem solving skills and the problem solving steps necessary for an effective process, you’re ready to begin developing more effective solutions and leading problem solving workshops.

Need more inspiration? Check out our post on problem solving activities you can use when guiding a group towards a great solution in your next workshop or meeting. Have questions? Did you have a great problem solving technique you use with your team? Get in touch in the comments below. We’d love to chat!

James Smart is Head of Content at SessionLab. He’s also a creative facilitator who has run workshops and designed courses for establishments like the National Centre for Writing, UK. He especially enjoys working with young people and empowering others in their creative practice.

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Top 10 problem solving activities that your team should perform today.

Irrespective of who you are and what you do, you will encounter problems. Some of you might see it as a hurdle while others might treat it as an opportunity. No matter how you think about problems, it is important to hone your problem solving skills so you can overcome roadblocks in your personal and professional lives.

In this article, you will learn about ten problem solving activities that your team should actively participate in to get better at solving complex problems.

Top 10 Problem Solving Activities

Here are ten problem solving activities you should try today.

1. Build a Tower

If every member of your team is moving in different directions and don’t collaborate with other team members, this is the activity you should perform. It will foster team collaboration and cohesion.

Divide the participants into several teams and ask them to build a tower by using sticks of uncooked spaghetti, masking tape, which can stand on its own. Make the challenge more interesting by asking them to put a marshmallow on top. Keep a short time limit and see how your team collaborate to create the tallest tower.

2. Go on a Scavenger Hunt

Instead of giving your team a single challenge to complete, you should increase the complexity of challenge by multiplying the number of activities. Divide the participants into two teams and ask each time to complete a set of tasks. Use a task management software or pen or paper to create To-Do list and make sure that tasks are arranged in ascending order based on complexity.

Make sure the easiest task is listed on the top and the hardest task is present at the bottom of the list. The team that completes all the activities wins.  For instance, you can hide multiple items on the floor, provide a list of items to the teams and ask them to go on a scavenger hunt and find each and every item. Every item that they found gives a clue and asks the participants to find the next treasure.

3. Egg Helmet

Lack of decision-making skills can paralyze your team, put the brakes on your thinking. If you want to get out of this mental block or polish your decision-making skills, then this activity is for you. All you need is an egg, some construction materials such as straws, rubber, sticks, plastic wrap, tape, etc.

Teams must choose construction materials and create a carrier which can hold an egg. Once done, ask each team to drop their carrier with an egg in it from a height and see which carrier successfully manages to protect an egg from breaking.

4. Picture Pieces Puzzle

Select a full-size picture of a well-known personality. Cut the picture into multiple square shapes. Give each piece to a team member along with a pencil, colored markers and a ruler. Now, ask them to turn the puzzle piece they have into a five-time larger image and see what they do.

5. Escape the Room

Another activity that can enhance your team collaboration is an escape. For this activity, you will need a rope, a key, a room and few clues or puzzles. Lock team members inside a room and ask them to find clues hidden in the room. Once they have found all the clues, they should find the key and escape the room. Hide the key and the list of clues in a secret location. Give your team anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour for this activity.

6. Walking on a Plank

Create two teams with an equal number of members. You might need four 2×6 board for this problem-solving activity. Place two boards end to end and other two boards in parallel few feet away from the first two boards. Teams must push other boards forward while standing on one board. The real challenge is that you don’t have to get off the board you are standing on while doing so. If a team does that, they must start again. The team that successfully push the board beyond the finish line wins.

7. Reverse Pyramid

This activity helps with adaptability and collaboration. Tell team members to stand in a pyramid shape horizontally. Now, force them to flip the base and apex of the pyramid just by moving three people. It is a great activity, especially if you have many small teams competing with one another. It will clearly show which team is better at creating a reverse pyramid faster. The team that does that wins.

8. Minefield

This activity involves spreading all the items such as chairs, water bottles, bags and boxes in an empty room in such a way that participants cannot go from one end of the room to another. Each team consists of two members. One is blindfolded while the other one is not. The person who is seeing everything should guide his blindfolded partner from one end of the room to another without touching any of the objects by giving out instructions. This activity will enhance communication and collaboration between your team members.

9. Frostbite

Don’t get scared by the name of this problem solving activity because it as interesting as other activities on this list. It can improve your decision-making skills as well as show your team how to adapt according to the different situations. To perform this activity, you will need a packet of construction material, an electric fan and a blindfold.

Create five-member teams and let them choose a leader to guide them. Every team is required to build a shelter by using construction material within half an hour. The leaders cannot help their teams physically because they have frostbite. On the other hand, team members have snow blindness. Once the 30 minutes time ends, turn on the fan to see which shelter blows away by winds and which ones are not. The team that makes a shelter which manages to stay firm despite the winds, win.

10. Human Circle

Make everyone stand in such a way that it forms a circle. Now, ask every team member to hold hands with two people who are not next to them. This will result in a tangle and it will mimic a human knot. Once all the participants are in a tangle, ask them to untangle and come back to their previous state, which is to form the circle again, but the catch is that they don’t have to let go of anyone’s hand while doing so. Such group problem-solving scenarios will help your team adapt according to situation.

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Have you tried any of the team building problem solving activities mentioned above at work? Do you have any team building ideas that people would love to know? If yes, then share them with other readers in the comments section below.

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The Best Virtual Team-Building Activities for Remote Teams

• May 8, 2024

All Blogs Remote & Global Workforce

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Imagine this: You are neck-deep in work, fueled by a questionable amount of coffee, when a hilarious cat video interrupts your team chat. Laughter erupts across the virtual divide, momentarily breaking focus and uplifting mood.

That’s the magic of team cohesion in a remote setting.

Like galaxies, virtual teams are composed of individual stars that shine brightly despite vast distances. However, unlike stars, remote teams need more than just individual brilliance to thrive. They require a cohesive structure, effective communication, and a shared vision to navigate the challenges of their vast digital expanse.

Without the watercooler chats and shared lunches of a physical office, building strong bonds can feel like trying to herd digital kittens — adorable, but a chaotic challenge.

Virtual team-building aims to foster connections, create a sense of belonging, build trust, understand each other’s work styles, and establish an environment where teammates feel comfortable sharing ideas, regardless of their significance.

Remote team Management Done Right: Top Virtual Team-Building Activities for Global Startups and Enterprises

Virtual team-building activities should take precedence when it comes to employee well-being as it’s known to boost team spirit and keep remote work blues away.

Here are some ways to get the ball rolling.

1. Creative virtual activities

These activities are designed to provide a refreshing break from mundane video calls and emails, sparking curiosity and promoting a more vibrant and enjoyable remote work environment.

Origami challenge

Ever folded paper into a crane or a toad? Origami challenges are a creative and relaxing way to bond with remote teams. Imagine the laughter and friendly banter as all attempt to master intricate folds and shapes together.

Why not learn a new origami design as a team or spice things up with a competition to see who can craft the most unique folded masterpiece?

It’s a surprising test of concentration and clear communication — following instructions solely through voice chat is bound to lead to some hilarious misshapen creations and a flock of oddly contorted paper birds.

But that’s all part of the fun.

Photo of the day

Curious to turn team chats into a vibrant window into everyone’s world? The ‘Photo of the Day’ challenge is a fun and creative way to let teammates peek into each other’s lives.

Here’s how it works: every day, a different person shares a snapshot they’ve captured, along with the story behind it.

It could be anything – their quirky work-from-home setup, a breathtaking sunset view, or even their pet’s latest hilarious antic. Just imagine the laughter, the “oohs” and “aahs,” and the conversations that’ll spark from these daily glimpses into each other’s worlds.

The best part? It’s a breeze to set up.

Simply create a dedicated channel on the team chat platform like Slack or Teams, and let the photo-sharing shenanigans unfold.

Bond over shared experiences, inside jokes, and a deeper understanding of what makes remote teammates tick – one candid snapshot at a time.

Virtual paint day

Virtual painting is the perfect team-building activity that blends creativity, connection, and laughter.

Led by a virtual instructor, team members follow step-by-step instructions to craft their own masterpieces. Just imagine the fun of comparing artistic visions and teams gently poking fun at each other’s abstract interpretation of a tree.

This activity is a fantastic way to relax, bond with teammates, and discover hidden artistic talents. The best part? It’s a breeze to set up using video platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Whether they’re a seasoned painter or a complete novice, virtual painting promises an evening of laughter, camaraderie, and maybe even a few accidental masterpieces.

2. Problem-solving challenges

From tricky client requests to unexpected technical glitches, problem-solving is a must-have skill for any team.

Enter problem-solving activities.

These global teamwork exercises test a team’s thinking muscles and unearth creative solutions, ditching the mundane meeting room and bonding over shared mind-bending missions. Imagine the buzz as teams toss around wild ideas, cracking codes, navigating virtual escape rooms, or piecing together clues.

These activities will leave them laughing, pondering, and high-fiving their way to the solution, flexing those problem-solving muscles and unlocking a whole new level of remote team cohesion.

Escape rooms

This activity is about reliving childhood adventures of cracking codes and solving puzzles to escape a locked room.

Virtual escape rooms bring that same heart-pounding thrill online, perfect for boosting remote team cohesion. Teams work together to conquer tough digital challenges and “escape” the virtual room.

It’s an absolute blast for building communication, fostering cooperation, and flexing those critical thinking muscles — all while sharing plenty of good laughs. These virtual team-building activities are a surefire way to strengthen cultural integration across global teams.

After all, there’s no better bonding experience than joining forces to overcome a shared mission, even if it’s a simulated one.

So, why not inject some excitement into the next remote team management strategy? Virtual escape rooms promise an adrenaline-pumping, problem-solving adventure that’ll have your global teamwork hitting new heights.

Coworker Feud

Another virtual team-building activity that’ll have teams’ competitive spirits soaring. Coworker Feud, the digital spin on the classic game show Family Feud, is a surefire way to ignite that fire and strengthen remote team cohesion.

Just like the original, players go head-to-head, battling wits to guess the most popular answers to a series of thought-provoking questions. It’s a fast-paced, high-energy showdown that sharpens communication skills and gets global teams thinking on their toes.

As teammates banter back and forth, exchanging friendly cheers and jabs, cultural integration takes shape. Coworker Feud is the perfect icebreaker for letting personalities shine across time zones.

Introducing this level of fun to remote team management strategy promises more than just laughs. It builds the bonds that turn colleagues into a tight-knit crew, united in overcoming challenges together.

Lost at Sea

This activity throws your team into a deserted island scenario, but with a twist – they only have a handful of random objects to help them survive.

The challenge? To work together and rank the objects based on their usefulness.

It starts with individual brainstorming, then teams come together to decide which tools are most crucial. Lost at Sea is a fantastic way to boost decision-making, collaboration, and critical thinking – all while stranded on an island.

Try the Hunt is a virtual team-building activity that’ll put global teams’ problem-solving capabilities to the ultimate test.

This online game throws a mix of riddles, intriguing pictures, and brain teasers.

Working together against the clock, players must collaborate and strategize to claim victory. It’s a pressure-cooker scenario demanding clear communication and creative thinking.

The Hunt is the perfect remote team cohesion activity for smaller squads. As challenges increase, bonds tighten — an effective way to foster cultural integration and remote team management.

3. Cultural exchange activities

Building a strong and successful global team requires embracing the unique backgrounds and cultures of each member.

Virtual team-building activities that celebrate this diversity are a fantastic way to foster a sense of connection and understanding across borders.

Here are some engaging ideas to get started.

MythBusters – around the world

Divide teams into groups and assign each group a cultural “myth” or stereotype from a different country.

The groups research the myth’s origin and validity and then present their findings to the team.

This activity encourages critical thinking, dismantles stereotypes, and fosters an appreciation for cultural nuances.

Design a global product

Present a common product like a water bottle or toothbrush and challenge teams to redesign it for a specific cultural market.

Participants need to consider factors like traditional materials, aesthetics, functionality, and social norms.

This sparks creativity, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of how cultural preferences influence design.

Cultural Pictionary

Instead of words, use proverbs, idioms, or cultural symbols for virtual Pictionary.

This challenges a team’s knowledge of different cultures and encourages creative expression. Bonus points if the team can explain the meaning or origin of the proverb or symbol they’re depicting.

Multilingual conversation hour

Celebrate the linguistic talents within a team; dedicate an hour to conversations in different languages.

Team members can take turns teaching basic phrases in their native tongue, share cultural anecdotes, or simply engage in conversation.

This is a fantastic opportunity to appreciate the diverse linguistic abilities within the team and a proven way to break down communication barriers.

Virtual cultural potluck

Invite team members to share a traditional dish from their culture, complete with a recipe and its significance.

This activity allows everyone to learn about different cuisines and cultural traditions, while also creating a space for members to share a part of their heritage.

Fostering Growth Through Virtual Reflection Meetings

In today’s fast-paced world, teams often struggle to step back and reflect on their work. This can hinder growth and lead to valuable lessons being unlearned.

Virtual reflection meetings offer a powerful solution, fostering open communication and shared learning in a convenient online format.

Imagine a space where team members can discuss recent projects, not just deliverables, but how they approached them. This honest exchange allows for:

1. Enhanced teamwork

By openly discussing challenges and successes, teams build trust and understanding, learning from each other’s experiences and fostering better collaboration in future projects.

2. Improved communication

Reflection meetings encourage active listening and clear communication. Team members learn to articulate their thoughts and perspectives effectively, leading to smoother collaboration across projects.

3. Boosted self-awareness

Reflecting on experiences allows individuals to identify areas for personal growth. This self-awareness empowers them to take ownership of their professional development.

4. Stronger client relationships

By reflecting on client interactions, teams can identify areas for improvement. This leads to a more seamless client experience and strengthens long-term partnerships.

Virtual reflection meetings offer several advantages over traditional in-person gatherings. They eliminate geographical barriers, allowing participation from remote team members.

Additionally, they bring about anonymity through online surveys or polls that encourage more candid responses. They can also be easily recorded, creating a valuable resource for future reference.

Here’s how to implement virtual reflection meetings effectively:

1. Set a regular rhythm

Determine a meeting cadence that suits your team’s workflow. Weekly reflections might be ideal for fast-paced environments, while monthly sessions work well for longer-term projects.

2. Choose a theme

Choose a topic for reflection. It could be a specific project, a recurring challenge, or a general aspect of team collaboration.

3. Embrace diverse roles

Assign roles like facilitator, learner (who shares an experience), timekeeper, and notetaker to ensure a smooth and focused discussion.

4. Prepare guiding questions

Craft questions that spark deep thinking and encourage open dialogue. Share them beforehand so team members can come prepared.

5. Create a safe space

Cultivate a supportive environment. Set clear ground rules emphasizing mutual respect and non-judgment.

Building Strong Remote Team Cohesion: The Multiplier Advantage for Impeccable Global Teamwork

Distributed work is the new normal, and fostering a strong company culture across borders is essential. Team-building activities are crucial for this, but how do you plan and execute them effectively across different time zones?

Technology has provided a treasure trove of tools to bridge the physical gap: through communication platforms, allowing real-time interactions; via project management software, keeping everyone on the same page; and by way of interactive whiteboards and online games, transforming virtual meetings into engaging experiences.

But to (really) take remote team management to the next level, you need to consider platforms like Multiplier.

Multiplier: Your Virtual Team-Building Partner

As a global Employer of Record (EOR), it takes care of the complexities of hiring and managing international teams . This frees you up to focus on building a strong company culture.

Here’s how Multiplier streamlines virtual team building across multiple time zones.

• Global onboarding: Onboard and manage your global team on a single platform. This streamlines communication and information sharing, fostering a sense of connection despite physical distance.
• Unified payroll and benefits: Manage payroll and benefits for your entire team in one place, regardless of location. This ensures everyone feels valued and eliminates the confusion of multiple systems.
• Compliance ensured: Multiplier takes care of local labor laws and regulations, freeing you to focus on team-building activities.

Motivated Remote Teams for Ambitious Global Brands

Virtual team-building activities are a fun way to boost morale, break the ice, and create a sense of community despite physical distance. These activities can be simple and free, like online trivia or emoji contests, or more elaborate planned events.

The key is to find activities that are inclusive and engaging for your team, regardless of location or time zone. By taking the time to step away from work and connect on a personal level, you’ll foster stronger relationships and a more cohesive unit.

This translates to a more motivated team, ready to collaborate and tackle any challenge, be it across the country or around the world.

Through Multiplier EOR , you can hire talented, driven international candidates for your business.

What’s more, by transferring complex tasks like payroll, compliance , onboarding, freelancer hiring , visa and immigration support , and employee ESOP s administration to Multiplier, you’ll have more time to invest in what matters most — building a strong, collaborative, and engaged global workforce to drive your vision forward.

Ready to experience global teamwork like never before?

Speak to us today for a demo.

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Will is a Content Writer at Multiplier. With a background in technology journalism, he is passionate about busting jargon, getting to the heart of complex topics, and writing pieces you'll enjoy reading.

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How ideas connect to the world

The Spinoza – Ilyenkov solution and causal powers realism

• Open access
• Published: 23 September 2024

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• Andrew Brown   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1228-0575 1  

The celebrated Russian philosopher, Evald Ilyenkov, draws on Spinoza to solve a key philosophical problem: how exactly does the mind connect to the real world? However, the proposed solution has come under much criticism, for example in a recent special issue of Studies of East European Thought (74, 3). This paper aims to clearly explain the solution, overcoming misunderstandings that are evident in the special issue. The kernel of the solution is an argument that human cognition rests on practical activity. In practical activity humans do not act on a fixed structure within their own bodies, in the manner, say, that the activity of water is determined by its fixed structure, H 2 O. Instead, human practical activity directly connects with and continually adapts to the structures and causal powers of external bodies. Awareness of practical activity thereby gives the human mind access to a mode of activity that is in direct contact and ever-greater accordance with the objects of the real world. The paper will elaborate and develop this kernel, with particular attention to the notion of ‘causal powers’ that it contains, by drawing from the revival in philosophy and the social sciences of what has been termed ‘causal powers realism’. The paper thereby opens new insights and connections regarding the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution, alleviating the potential for misunderstandings evident in the special issue.

Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.

Introduction

One does not need to be a philosopher, a social theorist, nor an academic to wonder how exactly our ideas, our theories, our formulas, etc. connect with the real world. Philosophy, though, can reasonably be expected to provide an answer to this question. Evald Ilyenkov is a celebrated Russian philosopher who develops an answer by drawing on Spinoza. However, a recent special issue in this journal (see Oittinen 2022a ) could give the impression that the answer given by Ilyenkov does not improve on answers given in Western philosophical traditions that draw on Descartes, Hume, and Kant. Contributors to the special issue argue that Ilyenkov does not accurately interpret Spinoza (Bowring 2022 ; Maidansky 2022 ), that Ilyenkov’s mistaken interpretation fails to solve the problem of how mind and world connect (Maidansky 2022 ), and that Spinoza’s own solution is highly suspect (Oittinen 2022a , b ). These critical assessments are now significantly influencing the fast-growing global reception of Ilyenkov’s work (for example, Callinicos 2023 approvingly cites Bowring, and Jacobs 2024 approvingly cites Maidansky.) The aim of this paper is to show, contra the impression that could be given by the special issue, that Spinoza and Ilyenkov are aligned and, more important, that they offer a basis to solve the problem of how mind connects to world.

The kernel of the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution is an argument that human cognition rests on practical activity. In practical activity humans do not act on a fixed structure within their own bodies. Instead, human practical activity directly connects with and continually adapts to the structures and causal powers of external bodies. Awareness of practical activity thereby gives the human mind direct access to a mode of activity that is in direct contact and ever-greater accordance with the objects of the real world. In philosophical terminology, consideration of practical activity provides an argument for ‘direct realism’ – a direct connection of mind to world. Arguments for direct realism have become popular in contemporary philosophy and cognitive science (Di Paolo and Potapov 2024 ). What is distinctive about the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution is that it argues for direct access of mind not just to mind-independent events , but to the mind-independent casual powers and essential structures that generate events. In doing so the solution contributes to ‘causal powers realism’, (e.g., Groff and Morgan 2023 ) a burgeoning philosophical doctrine hitherto overlooked in Ilyenkov studies – a lacuna that this paper will fill.

The Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution is highly abstract. Ilyenkov’s ( 1977 ) philosophical masterwork, Dialectical Logic , develops the solution fundamentally to incorporate the productive role of human labour and socio-material culture, or so it will be argued below. However, Maidansky ( 2022 ) argues that Ilyenkov in fact swiftly abandons rather than develops the abstract solution. This paper will introduce and draw upon causal powers realism to explain why the abstract Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution is needed and to sketch how it is developed by Ilyenkov. However, it must be acknowledged at the outset that a sketch is not a definitive refutation of Maidansky’s critique. To achieve such a definitive refutation in the space of a single paper would no more be possible than to definitively refute a critic of Marx’s Capital who denies that it is possible to develop from the starting point of the ‘commodity’ to the many forms of ‘capital’. Rather than definitive refutation, the aim is to clarify the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution and its development, by drawing upon causal powers realism, adding a fresh perspective to important previous expositions of the solution (e.g., Surmava 2018 , and Surmava and Simakin 2021 ) and so to further debate on this foundational topic.

The paper proceeds as follows: the next section will explain the problem in the context of an introduction to causal powers realism. The following section will explain the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution. The penultimate section will respond to criticisms to this solution. The final section will summarise and conclude, briefly indicating exciting avenues the solution opens up, such as in the field of artificial intelligence.

Causal powers realism and the problem of how mind connects to world

Historical context.

Causal powers realism was inherited from Aristotle by Spinoza (Viljanen 2008 ). After Hume’s influential rejection of causal powers realism, the doctrine was shunned by mainstream philosophy for a period of centuries, only to be revived (in diverse new forms) in recent decades (Groff and Greco 2013 ; Hill, Lagerlund and Psillos 2021 ; Jacobs 2017 ). In radical Western philosophy, causal powers realism is central to a movement known as ‘critical realism’. Footnote 1 Initially synthesised by Roy Bhaskar ( 1975 , 1979 ), critical realism became significant across Marxism and the social sciences from the late 1970s to the present (particularly in the UK and Europe). As regards mainstream Western philosophy, causal powers realism remained largely forgotten until the 1990s (an exception being the work of Rom Harré, e.g., Harré and Madden 1975 .) It has since become a vibrant mainstream topic, a revival initiated by, amongst others, Brian Ellis, Nancy Cartwright and Stephen Mumford (see Groff and Morgan 2023 , and references below). Footnote 2 Thus, when Bakhurst ( 1991 ) introduced Ilyenkov to a Western audience, causal powers realism was not yet revived in mainstream Western philosophy. A comparison between the newly revived causal powers realism and Ilyenkov’s philosophy has not previously been undertaken. Footnote 3

Elements of causal powers realism Footnote 4

For a simple and intuitive entry point to causal powers realism, consider a drink of water. Water has the power to quench my thirst, amongst many other powers such as boiling at 100 degrees, putting out fires, and so on. Water has these powers regardless of what I think about it and regardless of whether the powers are exercised. Furthermore, science has explained the powers of water by discovering the essential nature or structure of water, H 2 O, in virtue of which the powers of water are necessarily possessed. According to causal powers realism, this analysis of water and its causal powers can be generalised to many other kinds of thing. For causal powers realism there are many ‘natural kinds’, each with characteristic and necessary natures and powers, that it is the job of science to uncover, explain and define, just as science has done for water. Spinoza was writing before the advent of modern chemistry, so does not employ the example of H 2 O, but instead refers to the powers and structures of bodies drawn from the physics of his day, and to the nature and powers of humanity – the human mind being his primary focus in the Ethics .

A key element of causal powers realism of strong relevance to Spinoza concerns the identity of different aspects or levels of reality (Bula 2019 ; Evenden 2012 ; Knio 2018 ). According to causal powers realism, it is equally as valid to say (i) ‘I quench my thirst through drinking water’ as it is to say (ii) ‘H 2 O molecules interact with my metabolic system helping to sustain me’. It is equally valid because when I drink water then H 2 O molecules interact with my metabolic system. The same event can be described at two different levels – the level of molecular structure (where the power is explained ) and the level of everyday human activity (where it is displayed .) The second description of the event is not reducible to the first nor vice versa because the two descriptions respectively give different information about, by revealing different aspects of, the event. When we have explained the powers of water in terms of H 2 O, we have not somehow dissolved those powers. Water really quenches my thirst; H 2 O molecules really interact with my metabolic system helping to sustain me. If I only know one of the two descriptions my knowledge is impoverished because I only know one aspect of the event, when there are more. Thus, causal powers realism is anti-reductionist. This anti-reductionist principle, respecting the irreducibility of different levels of one single reality, is sometimes called the principle of ‘emergence’.

The problem: sceptical conclusions of a causal analysis of perception

To understand the Spinoza-Ilyenkov account of the problem of how mind connects to the world we can begin early in the Ethics (Appendix to Part 1) where Spinoza undertakes a critique of sense experience (what he calls ‘imagination’). Spinoza’s critique can be understood as a preliminary application of causal powers realism to the nature of the connection between mind and world. Let us return to our simple example of water, this time focusing on the way I perceive the water. What I think I see is the glass of water next to me; I do not think I see the play of light it causes on my retina. Similarly, I think I hear the water boiling in the kettle, not the vibrations in my ear due to sound waves from the kettle. Or, again, I think I smell the lemon from the lemon flavouring of the water, not the excitations in my nose that the lemon flavouring causes. Thus, definite motions that are spatially located in the human body (e.g., vibrations in the ear) are perceived by the mind as qualitatively rich properties of objects that are located outside of the human body (hearing water boiling). The anti-reductionist stance of causal powers realism here applies to the ‘experience’ of a ‘mind’, explained by, but not reducible to, spatially definite motion within the human body (the sense organs, in connection with the brain and central nervous system).

The implications of this causal analysis of perception are philosophically troubling. Spinoza ( 2023 , Appendix to Part 1) puts it as follows: when we act on sense experience we are acting on ‘confused’ and ‘chaotic’ ideas. In sense experience, ideas of motions within our bodies (within the sense organs) masquerade as ideas of the external bodies themselves. We mistake ideas of the internal motions within our bodies, with ideas of external things. Yet, the internal motions of our sense organs are the effects of external objects on us, which, in general, are entirely different to their causes , the structures and powers of external objects. The play of light on my retina caused by my glass of water is entirely different to the essential structure and powers of water. Sense experience never gives us direct awareness of the essential natures of external objects, it reveals only the inner motions of our sense organs.

Spinoza does not press the point in the manner Hume did a century later, but it is easy to see how Spinoza’s critique of sense perception leads to scepticism about the external world. According to causal powers realism, what external bodies will do next depends on their essential structures and powers. But the causal analysis of sense perception has concluded that sense perception does not reveal these structures and powers. Therefore, the causal analysis implies that sense experience tells us nothing about what external objects will do next. If I only have access to my glass of water via sense experience, then the true nature of my glass of water is unknown to me – so it would be miraculous that when I drink it, then, just like last time, it quenches my thirst. The same is true for all external objects. If we act solely on the basis of sense experience, the accordance of our activity with external objects would be impossible to explain except as mere coincidence, a coincidence that could not be counted on in the future. Our unshakeable assurance that the future will resemble the past would, as Hume says, be based upon irrational faith in the indefinite continuation of miraculous coincidence (a faith that Hume ( 1902 , p. 43) termed ‘habit’).

There have been a number of critiques of the revival of causal powers realism, along the above lines (Backmann 2022 ; Beebee 2004 , 2011 ; Brown 2002 ; Mumford 2005 ; Footnote 5 Psillos 2017 ). It is fair to say that replies by causal powers realists have been slow to emerge, and without consensus. Footnote 6 Thus, this line of critique of causal powers realism would seem as effective now as when presented by Spinoza over three centuries ago, and by Hume a century later. Before turning to the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution, a solution that emphasises the role of practical activity, it is instructive to briefly consider alternative philosophical approaches to mind that also highlight practical activity. As discussed by Di Paolo and Potapov ( 2024 ), the ‘phenomenological’ philosophies of Husserl, Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty emphasise practical activity and provide inspiration for work in (‘4E’) cognitive science that develops key Ilyenkovian insights. However, Di Paolo and Potapov ( 2024 ) rightly offer a note of philosophical caution in relating Ilyenkov and phenomenology. Phenomenological accounts of practical activity do not start with an unambiguous commitment to causal powers realism. For example, the Husserlian form of phenomenology is, contrary to causal powers realism, rooted in a commitment to Kantian transcendental idealism . By committing to causal powers realism and overcoming the problem of Humean scepticism to which causal powers realism gives rise, the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution develops a distinctively materialist account of practical activity and cognition, unfolded below. Footnote 7

The Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution

Bakhurst ( 1991 , 2011 , pp. 91–122), has argued that Ilyenkov must be considered a ‘direct realist’. Within mainstream philosophy, direct realism attempts to overcome scepticism by arguing that we have direct, i.e., immediate, access to things themselves, without going through any perceptual intermediary that lacks direct connection to the world. Direct realism and the debate surrounding it have taken place on the terrain of mainstream Western philosophy, without yet being influenced by causal powers realism. I will use the notion of ‘direct realism’ in a simple and non-technical sense, to help explain the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution (not with any claim to contribute to the mainstream debate). The solution has two steps: first, to establish that the human mind is directly aware of the human body; second, and far more difficult, to establish that direct awareness of the human body enables direct awareness of the world outside of the human body.

Step 1: Mind as idea of body

Spinoza’s critique of sense experience is, on close scrutiny, also an argument for direct access of the human mind to the human body. It tells us that the human body is so constituted that spatial motions within it are expressed in the human mind as ideas. The flux of sense perception expresses motions within the body, albeit mistaken for objects outside of the body. From the perspective of causal powers realism, the view that ideas could be occurrent to the human mind even when there is no internal human bodily motion would be absurd because powers are explained as the workings (motions) of structures. A direct correlate of the flux of my ideas must be motion within my body. So, there is an anti-sceptical basis to the causal critique of sense perception in its account of direct self-awareness of the human body by the human mind. The human mind is, as Spinoza ( 2023 , Part 2, Prop. 8) puts it, the idea of the human body.

If we are capable of confused direct awareness of internal bodily motions, then this holds out the possibility that we are also capable of non-confused (adequate) direct awareness of internal bodily motions. However, what about motions outside of the human body? Given that the human mind is the idea of the human body then direct awareness of the world outside of the human body can arise in one circumstance and one circumstance only: if, and only if, the nature of the human body shares commonalities with the nature of external bodies . So, where in the nature of the human body can essential properties in common with external objects be found? How can any commonality of internal and external structures and motions be verified? And, even if some commonalities are affirmed, how can there be internal human bodily structures in common with all possible diverse structures of external objects that we may come across? These seemingly intractable questions are addressed in step 2.

Step 2: Direct access to external objects in practical activity

Spinoza first addresses the questions developed above in his initial account of how humans achieve adequate knowledge through the faculty of reason: ‘Those things, which are common to all, and which are equally in a part and in the whole, cannot be conceived except adequately’ (Spinoza 2023 , Part 2, Proposition 38). Spinoza clarifies that the commonalities he is referring to include, for example, the property that all bodies are at motion or rest. Spinoza’s critique of sense perception does not apply to perception of shared properties like motion and rest since mistaking internal bodies for external bodies makes no difference to the ability to perceive the properties shared by both. In terms of our questions above, the human body shares in common with external bodies that it is in motion or rest so the human mind has direct and adequate self-awareness of this abstract property. However, what about the specific natures or structures of external objects? Proposition 39 hints at an answer: ‘That, which is common to and a property of the human body and such other bodies as are wont to affect the human body, and which is present equally in each part of either, or in the whole, will be represented by an adequate idea in the mind’ (Spinoza 2023 , Part 2, Proposition 39). Here, then, the human body can acquire specific commonalities with objects that are ‘wont’ to affect it, or, to draw from alternative translations, with external objects that humans ‘usually’ (Curley 1985 ) or ‘habitually’ (Kisner 2018 ) interact with. This is potentially a very important advance over Proposition 38 since it offers the possibility of direct and adequate awareness of the specific structures or natures of external bodies, via their being possessed in common with the human body. But what are these specific commonalities exactly, and how are they acquired through practical activity? Spinoza ( 2023 ) does not give any specific example. Nor does Spinoza explain exactly what is meant by reference to the ‘whole’ and the ‘part’ in this Proposition and in Proposition 38. As a result, the interpretation of these two propositions is an open question in the secondary literature (Hübner 2022 ). Ilyenkov’s ( 1977 , pp. 3–24) interpretation combines dialectics and causal powers realism, as follows.

If we consider sense perception in a static and analytical way, fixed structural part by fixed structural part, then, quite clearly, my specific cognitive and perceptual structures are essentially different from my glass of water and from external objects in general. Instead, we must consider cognition holistically and dynamically. The human mind must be aware not only, and not mainly, of the unique structural differences of the sense organs, the nervous system and so on, vital as these differences are. It must, instead, be aware primarily of the changing spatial relations of these bodily structures and parts, their relative motions. Thus, humans must be directly self-aware of the changing mutual spatial relations of their hands, fingers, legs, feet, eyes, head, and so on. The ever-expanding repertoire of structural variation, the ever-developing mode of human bodily activity, of the human body’s coordinated movement of its various parts taken together, must be tracked by the human cognitive system. Such a perspective reveals a radically different basis for cognition than direct self-awareness of the fixed respective structures of the sense organs. Humans have direct self-awareness of a structure that is not fixed , of the varying motion or trajectory of the human body.

In this light, Spinoza’s Propositions 38 and 39 can be understood. The knowledge of the properties of motion and rest common to all bodies (Proposition 38), is knowledge that can be acted on. Humans adapt their mode of activity to the external objects they directly encounter. To do so, they must be able to change their relevant internal bodily structures in light of reflection on their current and previous activity. Such adaptation enables the human body to act in ever greater accordance with external bodies (Proposition 39.) Awareness of the mode of bodily activity in direct contact and accordance with an external object is reasonably characterised as direct knowledge of that object. So, it is not a fixed and isolated structure or part of the human body that shares specific characteristics with external bodies in practical activity. Rather, it is the mode of human bodily activity, the coordinated shape or trajectory of human bodily activity taken as a whole, that comes into direct contact and accordance with specific external bodies enabling their use.

Ilyenkov ( 1977 , p. 21) gives a simple the example of how, in describing a circular object with my hands, the trajectory of my hands takes a form identical to the circular shape of the external object. Ilyenkov’s example is perhaps too simple, certainly in the eyes of critics, as we will see in the next section, below. So, let us return to our example of a glass of water. My knowledge of the glass of water is coterminous with my ability to use it. I have learnt a range of ways of acting with water: drinking it, boiling it, cleaning with it, using it to put out a fire, etc. Scientists have learnt a range of specific experimental activities with water, revealing its underlying structure, H 2 O, and explaining its powers. So, we have developed a wide-ranging and unique repertoire of activity with water through direct contact and accordance with it, revealing its structural essence and necessary powers. According to the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution, our idea of water consists in our awareness of this direct access to, and accordance with, water, it does not consist in awareness of the play of light on the retina to which water happens to momentarily give rise.

It seems to me that all the above elements of Ilyenkov’s interpretation are amply present in the development of the text of Spinoza’s Ethics . Spinoza is very clear that the power of reason of the human mind is coterminous with the power of spatial activity of the human body, including its ability to arrange and use external objects to its own ends (Oittinen 2022a , p. 268; Spinoza 2023 , Part 2, Prop. 6). Furthermore, it is a central message of the Ethics as a whole that humans have the ability to modify their internal bodily structures to make their external mode of activity better accord with the true nature of the world. As Spinoza puts it ‘[s]o long as we are not assailed by emotions contrary to our nature, we have the power of arranging and associating the modifications of our body according to the intellectual order’, (Spinoza 2023 , Part 6, Prop. 10) where the ‘intellectual order’ is that of true knowledge of the world. Before clarifying and developing the solution further, and tackling misunderstandings, let us consider the huge advance the argument makes on causal powers realism.

Nature as a whole Footnote 8

The argument thus far reveals an underlying reason why the analysis of mind poses difficulties for causal powers realism. The Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution argues that the essential characteristic of the human body facilitating its mind and its thinking is not a fixed inner structure like H 2 O but one which continually changes , enabling adaptation to the external world. Continual structural change means that, unlike water, the mind has no fixed structural nature or definition. Mind is, in this sense, essentially non-spatial . Within contemporary causal powers realism, the key aspects of this difficulty are recognised. The self-changing power of humans is recognised (Sayer 2011 ; Ellis 2013 ) as is the infinite adaptability of thinking (McGinn 1991 ; Cooper 2008 ). As a result, very few causal powers realists argue that the mind (specifically, the faculty of reason) is, or could be, a natural kind (Bhaskar 1979 is an influential exception – see Brown 2002 ). However, this literature rarely attempts to answer the obvious question to which the non-spatial (in the sense defined) nature of mind gives rise. If mind has no essential structure, then what is its identity or nature, and how is it related to bodies in space? Footnote 9

To explain the power of thought in relation to the motions of bodies in space, we have to take a different strategy than for natural kinds such as water. To explain the latter, science needs to identify the underling structure of water, its structural constitution, and to comprehend how the workings of this structure (the motion of H 2 O molecules) interact with those of other objects (such as my metabolic system) to enable characteristic powers (such as quenching my thirst.) Such a strategy does not explain the power of thought. It is no good isolating the microstructural constitution of the human body and brain, like we do with H 2 O, for that will only tell us, if we are successful in our analysis, that human activity adapts to the external world. It will tell us that humans act, not according to their own internal bodily structures, but to those of external objects. Therefore, to explain thought, we must look beyond the inner structures of the human body and seek to comprehend the relation of human activity to external objects.

Clearly, over time, human activity develops to adapt to more and more external objects and arrangements of objects, without any fixed limit. So, we cannot limit our explanation to a consideration of human activity in relation to any one external object, or finite set of objects. Explanation of the power of thought is therefore a great deal more complex than explanation of the powers of water. It requires comprehension of the relation between human activity and nature as a real, interconnected or unified whole (a whole that Spinoza calls, ‘Real Infinite Nature’). Such an explanation can only be achieved in a step-by-step fashion, using a method appropriate to organic wholes or systems. For Ilyenkov, this is a ‘dialectical’ method, a method detailed in Ilyenkov ( 2008 ), and attributed to Spinoza by Ilyenkov (e.g., Harris 1995 , also attributes a dialectical method to Spinoza). Ilyenkov undertakes just such a step-by-step explanation in Dialectical Logic , retaining and going beyond the foundation provided by Spinoza, by encompassing Hegel, Marx and Engels. Before considering briefly these subsequent developments, we turn below to criticisms of the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution.

Overcoming misunderstandings

To clarify and develop the argument, whilst addressing criticisms such as found in the special issue to which I referred in the introduction of this paper, I will focus mainly on Maidansky’s important body of criticisms (e.g., 2022 , 2017 , 2007 ), which significantly overlap with those of Oittinen (e.g., 2005 , 2014 ). My aim is not a comprehensive reply but the beginning of a dialogue, trying to pick out fruitful lines for further debate, whilst clarifying my own argument. Though a strong advocate of Ilyenkov in general, Maidansky develops a hard-hitting and wide-ranging critique of Ilyenkov’s interpretation of Spinoza. Maidansky ( 2007 ) polemically presents his critique as an argument that Ilyenkov’s interpretation invents a ‘pseudo-Spinoza’, an inaccurate interpretation of the real Spinoza. This polemical construct succinctly expresses three of Maidansky’s key critical themes:

Ilyenkov’s pseudo-Spinoza predicates thought to a ‘thinking body’, when the true Spinoza predicates thought to mind, not body.

Pseudo-Spinoza’s ‘thinking body’ fails to distinguish the images of sense experience from the ideas of the intellect. As a result, what pseudo-Spinoza calls ‘adequate ideas’ are no different to sensual images of a kind that higher animals also possess.

Pseudo-Spinoza’s individualistic ‘thinking body’ has no material culture whereas Ilyenkov’s own developed philosophy stresses the vital importance of material culture, via what Ilyenkov terms ‘ideal forms’.

Maidansky (e.g., 2022 , p. 339) argues that Ilyenkov corrects his mistaken pseudo-Spinoza at the end of Ilyenkov’s chapter on Spinoza, by introducing the concept of ‘labour’. For Maidansky, Ilyenkov’s correction affirms that pseudo-Spinoza is an aberration that is best forgotten.

Let us take Maidansky’s criticisms in turn. It is true that the phrase ‘thinking body’ is used in Ilyenkov’s interpretation of Spinoza whereas, for Spinoza himself, bodies do not think. However, for Spinoza, there is a single thing that both thinks and extends. Humans think. Humans extend. Footnote 10 Therefore, it is easy to present the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution without the phrase ‘thinking body’. The phrase can be replaced either by the term ‘human’, or by the term ‘mind’, as best fits the context, to bring Ilyenkov’s terminology into line with that of Spinoza (I have followed this strategy in my exposition of the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution, above). Ilyenkov’s use of the phrase ‘thinking body’ is therefore in itself only a nominal difference between Ilyenkov and Spinoza. Use of the phrase is fully in line with Ilyenkov’s stated aim:

to show the real problem that Spinoza’s thought came up against quite independently of how he himself realised it and in what terms he expressed it for himself and for others ( i.e. to set the problem out in the language of our century ), and then to trace what were the real principles ( once more independently of Spinoza’s own formulation of them ) on which he based the solution of the problem. (Ilyenkov 1977 , p. 9, emphasis added)

Why, then, do Maidansky and other critics argue that the difference between Spinoza and Ilyenkov is not nominal?

The crux of the issue, made very clear in Maidansky ( 2022 , pp. 336–340), is how Ilyenkov characterises adequate ideas. Ilyenkov does so through an interpretation of Spinoza’s account of ‘intuitive’ knowledge, (the interpretation of which is an open question in the secondary literature on Spinoza – see Hübner 2022 ) according to which: ‘In creating an adequate idea of itself, i.e. of the form of its own movement along the contours of external objects, the thinking body thus also created an adequate idea of the forms and contours of the objects themselves. Because it was one and the same form, one and the same contour ’ (Ilyenkov 1977 , p. 19). For me, in this passage, and several passages like it, we see how and why Ilyenkov ( 1977 ) shifts the basis of cognition away from the fixed structure of the sense organs towards the varying structure of the coordinated activity of the human body. I explained this radical shift in the basis for cognition in the previous section above. However, critics do not recognise in Ilyenkov’s text any such radical shift. Therefore, for Maidansky ( 2022 , pp. 336–340) an idea of a contour can only be a picture arising in sense perception (imagination). By no means could it be an adequate idea of an instance of the enduring causal structure or nature of the thing.

Maidansky’s (in my view) misunderstanding of Ilyenkov’s text is inadvertently encouraged by how Ilyenkov phrases his subsequent example. Footnote 11 Ilyenkov writes:

When I describe a circle with my hand on a piece of paper (in real space), my body, according to Spinoza, comes into a state fully identical with the form of the circle outside my body, into a state of real action in the form of a circle. My body (my hand) really describes a circle, and the awareness of this state (i.e. of the form of my own action in the form of the thing) is also the idea, which is, moreover, ‘adequate’. (Ilyenkov 1977 , p. 21)

There is a critical ambiguity in this passage. Reference to self-awareness of ‘a state of real action’ in the form of a circle (or indeed in the form of anything else) could be read as confirming Maidansky’s charge that Ilyenkov is referring to a momentary ‘state’ unrelated to the essential nature and enduring real powers of the thing. A better phrase than ‘state of real action’ appears no less than seventeen times in Ilyenkov’s short chapter on Spinoza, but unfortunately not in the quote we are discussing. I refer here to the phrase, ‘mode of activity’, together with the equivalent (in this context) phrase, ‘mode of action’. Footnote 12 The phrase avoids the critical ambiguity because a mode of activity (or of action) is not a static picture, it is a generative process. Self-awareness of the mode of bodily activity in the form of a circle implies knowledge of how a circle is generated in any suitable given context . Such self-awareness involves a concept or adequate idea – not a picture.

Clarity on the phrase ‘mode of activity’ can allay Maidansky’s concern that Ilyenkov’s interpretation of Spinoza fails to distinguish adequate ideas from those of animals. Consider a tethered horse trotting in a circle. The horse is passive in respect of the generation of the circle because it occurs via the constraint of the tether outside of the horse’s control. Therefore, even though a circle is generated through the constrained action of the tethered horse, the horse has no self-awareness of the mode of activity, no awareness of the general definition of a circle, of which its tethered trajectory is but one instance. In general, then, self-awareness of active generation requires knowledge of the relevant mode of activity. Without knowledge of this mode, the animal cannot know the essence of what is being generated and cannot actively generate it. Footnote 13 This is where the unique capacity of humans (or any alike things) lies. Footnote 14

Let us turn to Maidansky’s charge of individualism. Maidansky rightly stresses that, according to Ilyenkov’s developed philosophy, the world is not just full of powers and activities, but also of material culture. Ilyenkov stresses the importance of what he calls ‘ideal forms’ to material culture. These include signs, symbols, plans, plays, and so forth, the archetypal example of an ideal form being that of language. According to Ilyenkov’s ( 1977 , pp. 74–121) developed philosophy, then, ideal forms and material culture enable concepts to arise. Yet, as Maidansky points out, material culture would appear to be entirely absent from Ilyenkov’s account of ‘intuitive’ knowledge recounted above. This is a reason why Maidansky sees Ilyenkov’s discussion of intuitive knowledge as an individualistic aberration on Ilyenkov’s part.

Our clarification of the importance of the phrase ‘mode of activity’ can alleviate Maidansky’s concerns. Let us return to the example of a circle and seek to incorporate Ilyenkov’s notion of ideal forms. On Ilyenkov’s account, the word ‘circle’ is an ideal form that emerges as the social representation of the concept of a circle. The individual learns the meaning of the word ‘circle’, hence the concept of a circle, through undertaking the requisite mode of activity, i.e., by actively generating particular circles, under the regulation or facilitation ( whether through parenting, education, or everyday life ) of the social norms and practices that are associated with this mode of activity and its linguistic expression ( its ideal form ). Thus, by incorporating the role of ideal forms in enabling individuals to gain self-awareness of requisite modes of activity, we see that the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution is sociocultural, not individualistic, when that solution is concretely developed.

Why, then, does the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution, and the concept of intuitive knowledge, start at such an abstract level, without explicit reference to material culture? This high level of abstraction enables the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution to articulate how humans are palpably constrained by the objects of nature. The Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution thereby provides a materialist foundation for comprehending thought and nature, in fundamental contrast to Hegel’s absolute idealism and to Kant’s transcendental idealism. Establishing, at the most abstract level, a materialist foundation for philosophy, allows subsequent philosophical development to safely incorporate material culture without abandoning causal powers realist principles, so retaining the integral role of the structures and powers of the real, natural whole. To further understand the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution, subsequent developments thereof, and to locate competing perspectives, we next turn to Ilyenkov’s development of the concept of ‘labour’, through which we can summarise the argument of the paper.

Summary, development and conclusion

We started with a simple, intuitive, and materialist foundation: what a thing can do (its powers) depends upon what it is (its structure or nature.) This is a principle of causal powers realism. We then found that a preliminary causal analysis of sense perception leads to a philosophical problem: lack of direct access of the human mind to the real powers and structures of the world (a ‘veil of perception’) leading to Humean scepticism. Turning to the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution, we explained that, in practical activity, humans achieve direct self-awareness of their mode of bodily activity in direct contact and accordance with the external object. Such self-awareness is rightly considered direct access to the external object. In response to misunderstandings, such as found in the special issue, we stressed that this is not awareness of a static ‘picture’ of a momentary state, formed in sense perception, but knowledge of the enduring essential structure of the external object, the structure that explains its characteristic causal powers.

We presented the argument as overcoming established difficulties in the contemporary literature on causal powers realism as regards (i) defining and explaining the mind and (ii) responding to the charge of Humean scepticism. Though not explicit in the narrative thus far, our exposition of the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution has also expressed and overcome the problem of Cartesian dualism (the main philosophical problem with which Spinoza himself was concerned – see Ilyenkov 1977 , Chap. 1). We have explained how mind, with no essential spatial definition, relates to, and accords with, the world of bodies in space. We explained that this occurs through the ability of humans to self-change their relevant inner spatial structures, enabling adaptation of their outward mode of bodily activity, to accord with external objects. This unlimited ability to adapt over time means that thought cannot be explained in relation to any one structure or object, nor to any finite set of structures or objects. Instead, thought must be explained, step-by-step, in terms of the developing relation between human activity and the unlimited diversity of external objects of nature as a whole – a step-by-step explanation that Ilyenkov unfolds in Dialectical Logic .

We must still consider the very end of Ilyenkov’s chapter on Spinoza, where Ilyenkov argues that Spinoza underplays how new structures are created by human activity. As Ilyenkov puts it, Spinoza’s conception of ‘substance’, or nature as a whole, is correct up to a point: ‘[b]ut that, Marx affirmed, is not enough. According to him, only nature of necessity thinks, nature that has achieved the stage of man socially producing his own life, … Labour is the process of changing nature by the action of social man, and is the ‘subject’ to which thought belongs as ‘predicate” (Ilyenkov 1977 , pp. 24–25). Ilyenkov’s development from Spinoza’s ‘substance’ to Marx’s ‘labour’ goes hand-in-hand with the introduction of ideal forms and material culture that we discussed at the end of the previous section, above. Maidansky is quite right to highlight this pivotal development. However, the development is not ( contra Maidansky) a rejection of Ilyenkov’s interpretation of Spinoza. The Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution is retained and developed fundamentally in the move from substance to labour. That it is developed fundamentally is shown by the overemphasis in Spinoza’s philosophy on the mere adaptation by human activity to a given whole, underplaying the creative and productive power of labour. That it is retained is shown by the material constraints on labour. Labour does not break the laws of nature, it learns how to use them. Footnote 15

Thus, not only is the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution a materialist philosophical foundation for overcoming Humean scepticism and Cartesian dualism (which afflict mainstream philosophy to this day) it also demonstrates the importance of the dialectical method of ascent from abstract to concrete, championed by Ilyenkov ( 2008 ), and I would argue a vital aid to synthesis in scientific work of all kinds (Brown 2008 , 2014 ). The ever-deepening global reach of Ilyenkov’s philosophy serves as testimony to this multifaceted importance. Indeed, the need for the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution is becoming ever more urgent. For example, developments in artificial intelligence (AI) continue apace but, if the argument herein is correct, then neither mainstream philosophy, nor mainstream cognitive science, nor phenomenological philosophy, can comprehend the nature and limits of what is termed AI. The Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution, combining causal powers realism and dialectics, offers the requisite materialist basis for doing exactly that (see Ilyenkov forthcoming , and Chukhrov 2020 ). The comprehension of AI is but one of many exciting paths the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution opens for us to follow. If this paper helps to clarify the philosophical basis for taking any one of these paths it will have served its purpose.

Not to be confused with Roy Wood Sellar’s doctrine that is also called ‘critical realism’.

There have been parallel developments in the study of the history of philosophy with the rise of the interpretation of Hume as in some sense a ‘sceptical realist’, specifically a sceptical causal powers realist (see Stanford 1998 and Hakkarainen 2012 ). Also, recent Spinoza scholarship has begun to debate the nature of the connection between Spinoza and causal powers realism, calling for more research on this topic, a call heeded by this paper (Martin 2018 ; Viljanen 2008 ; Zylstra 2023 ).

With the partial exception of my own previous work (Brown 2002 and in Allen et al. 2013 ) which compares Ilyenkov’s philosophy specifically to ‘critical realism’ but not to causal powers realism more broadly.

The elements I pick out below include ‘essentialism’ (Koslicki and Raven 2024 ) and ‘emergentism’ (O’Connor 2021 ; Paoletti and Orilia 2017 ) which are often (but by no means always) included in causal powers realism. As Groff has explained, (e.g., Groff and Morgan 2023 ) there is subtlety and nuance across the causal powers realism literature that pertains even to its basics. My account in this section is adapted from Harré and Madden’s ( 1975 ) seminal contribution

Mumford ( 2005 ) argues specifically that any ‘essentialist’ element of causal powers realism does not overcome Humean scepticism – he therefore does not adopt essentialism within his powers ontology.

Backmann ( 2022 ) usefully surveys, and critiques, recent non-Humean responses (most responses defend Armstrong’s non-Humean philosophy, not causal powers realism). Mumford and Anjum ( 2011 , Chap. 3) make an interesting defence of causal powers realism, without obvious precedent.

Lassiter and Vukov ( 2022 ) set out a manifesto for incorporating causal powers realism within debates on the ‘extended mind’ (part of ‘4E’ cognition discussed by Di Paolo and Potapov 2024 ). They do so in a way that, in my view, shows the major potential benefits of building on the materialist philosophical foundations that the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution provides.

This subsection draws on Ilyenkov ( 1977 , pp. 16–19)

An exception to the general neglect of this question is Rom Harré and colleagues’ research programme on the ‘discursive mind’ (e.g., Harré and Gillett 1994 – see Kaidesoja 2007 ). Harré championed the revival of causal powers realism in both mainstream and non-mainstream philosophy (e.g., Harré and Madden 1975 ). Yet, he subsequently argued that the mind is not a causal power but a social construct of discourse or conversation. Harré’s account of mind draws heavily on Vygotsky but mistakenly omits the material and structural constraints on discourse (see Lewis 2001 ; Pratten 2009 , and Porpora 2018 ). These constraints are by contrast foregrounded by the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution as we will see below.

The unity of human mind and body is a finite manifestation of how, for Spinoza, thought and extension are different expressions of nature as a unified whole.

This example of a circle comes from Spinoza’s Tractatus de intellectus emendatione (see Oittinen 2005 ). Ilyenkov considers the example in light of his interpretation of Part 2, Propositions 38–9 of the Ethics discussed above. Bowring ( 2022 , p. 310) does not share the latter interpretation, so argues that the quoted passage is ‘not in Spinoza’ at all. I hope that by developing causal powers realism (in which Bowring, e.g., 2010 , and I share common heritage) this paper offers grounds for Bowring to reconsider.

The phrase ‘mode of activity’ is also closely related to the notion of a scheme of future action and, indeed, the word ‘scheme’ is used often (11 times) with this meaning in Ilyenkov’s chapter on Spinoza.

The definition of a circle in this example is what is termed a ‘genetic’ definition that explains how the shape is constructed, e.g., ‘a circle is a figure traced by a line that is fixed at one end’ (cf. Oittinen 2005 , p. 331). Note that, by fixing the length of the line, then this general definition becomes a definition of, and means to generate, a specific circle. Thus, the example invokes the relation between general and specific definitions or essences – a focal point of recent Spinoza literature (e.g., Soyarslan 2016 ) not reflected in Oittinen’s ( 2005 ) account of Spinoza and Ilyenkov.

Which is not to say that a horse is a mere automaton, with no thought at all, a view that was held by Descartes. It is to say that a horse does not achieve the fully developed conceptual thought of humans. Maidansky ( 2022 , pp. 337–38) seems to unjustly critique Ilyenkov for making the fair point that there is continuity as well as difference between animal and human thinking (Surmava and Simakin 2021 seem to make the opposite, and similarly unjust, critique – see f.n. 15, below). What I think Maidansky is trying to stress is the importance of material culture to fully developed thought – as outlined below.

As we have seen, for Maidansky ( 2022 , p. 339) the development is a ‘correction’ of an ‘error’ on Ilyenkov’s part. For Surmava and Simakin ( 2021 , slide 47), by contrast, the passage stating this development is an error, likely inserted by Ilyenkov to appease the censor. In my view, as expressed above, the development is neither a correction of an error nor an error inserted to appease the censor. It is a development from the abstract and simple Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution to a more concrete and complex solution. This is one of my few substantial disagreements with Surmava’s interpretation of the Spinoza-Ilyenkov solution.

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Acknowledgements

I thank the anonymous referees, the issue editors, Andrey Maidansky, Steve Fleetwood and Jamie Morgan for very helpful comments on previous versions of this paper. Thanks to Andrey for support and discussion over the years, and thanks too to Alex and George Surmava for discussion and comments on previous related papers. I benefitted also from several conferences and seminars organised by International Friends of Ilyenkov – thank-you to the organisers and participants. All errors in the paper are my own.

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