Problem Solving*

The expertise to ask the right questions, to identify issues, obstacles, and opportunities and leverage that information to develop and implement effective solutions.

*This competency is part of the Management and Leadership Competencies at UF

Behavior Statements

Proficiency Level 1 - Basic understanding

Explains the value of a disciplined approach to problem solving.

Describes problem reporting and escalation practices.

Utilizes accepted procedures for problem analysis and resolution.

Identifies key aspects of problem-solving techniques used in own area.

Proficiency Level 2 - Working experience

Uses fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools to identify problems.

Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives.

Develops alternative techniques for assessing accuracy and relevance of information.

Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decision on resolution.

Examines a specific problem and understands the perspective of each involved stakeholder.

Proficiency Level 3 - Extensive experience

Uses varying problem-solving approaches and techniques as appropriate.

Develops successful resolutions to critical or wide-impact problems.

Organizes potential problem solvers and leads problem resolution efforts.

Analyzes and synthesizes information and devises alternative resolution strategies.

Contributes to standard practices for problem-solving approaches, tools, and processes.

Ensures capture of lessons to be learned from a problem-solving effort.

Proficiency Level 4 - Subject matter depth and breadth

Gains agreement on the problem-solving process, risk assessment, decision points, and criteria.

Predicts and explains long-term trends and implications for alternatives.

Monitors industry for best practices and new techniques in problem-solving.

Successfully organizes problem solvers and stakeholders for high-impact problems.

Trains others in the process of eliciting alternatives and assessing their impact.

Orchestrates the resolution of high-impact and cross-functional problems.

Interview Questions

Tell me about a problem at your organization that was never resolved. What was the impact on business processes, and was there a work-around used?
Tell me about a persistent problem that existed at your organization. How was it finally resolved?
Tell me about a time when a solution to a project did not work. How was the solution revised, and what could have been done to prevent the issue?
Tell me about a time that two or more colleagues had conflicting ideas on the best way to solve a problem. How were the ideas evaluated and the issue resolved?
How did market research help you develop a solution to a lingering product/service problem?

Titles with Shared Competencies

Assistant Dean Assistant Dean, Student Affairs Assistant Director, Academic Advising Assistant Director, Academic Support Services Assistant Director, Accounting Assistant Director, Administrative Services Assistant Director, Admissions Assistant Director, Analytic Services Assistant Director, Business Services Assistant Director, Career Services Assistant Director, Child Development Assistant Director, Clinical Research Assistant Director, Communications Assistant Director, Conferences Assistant Director, Data Management Assistant Director, Education or Training Programs Assistant Director, Emergency Management Assistant Director, Environmental Health & Safety Assistant Director, Facilities Operations Assistant Director, Finance Assistant Director, Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Assistant Director, Health Care Administration Assistant Director, Human Resources Assistant Director, Marketing Assistant Director, Multipurpose Facility Assistant Director, Museum Operations Assistant Director, Operations Assistant Director, Physical Security Assistant Director, Procurement Assistant Director, Public/Governmental Relations Assistant Director, Real Estate Assistant Director, Research Administration Assistant Director, Safety & Security Assistant Director, Student Affairs Assistant Director, Student Financial Aid Assistant Director, Technology Licensing Assistant Director, University Budgets Assistant Director, University Housing Assistant Director, University Housing Operations Assistant Director, University Housing Residence Life Assistant Director, University Press Assistant University Registrar Associate Dean, Administrative Affairs Associate Dean, Student Affairs Associate Director, Academic Advising Associate Director, Academic Support Services Associate Director, Accounting Associate Director, Administrative Services Associate Director, Admissions Associate Director, Analytic Services Associate Director, Business Services Associate Director, Career Services Associate Director, Child Development Associate Director, Clinical Research Associate Director, Communications Associate Director, Data Management Associate Director, Education or Training Programs Associate Director, Environmental Health & Safety Associate Director, Facilities Operations Associate Director, Finance Associate Director, Health Care Administration Associate Director, Human Resources Associate Director, IT Associate Director, Marketing Associate Director, Museum Operations Associate Director, Operations Associate Director, Procurement Associate Director, Public/Governmental Relations Associate Director, Research Administration Associate Director, Safety & Security Associate Director, Student Affairs Associate Director, Student Financial Aid Associate Director, Student Legal Services Associate Director, Technology Licensing Associate Director, University Housing Associate Director, University Housing Operations Associate Director, University Housing Residence Life Associate Director, University Press Associate University Registrar Chief Information Security Officer Controller Director, Academic Advising Director, Academic Support Services Director, Accounting Director, Administrative Services Director, Admissions Director, Analytic Services Director, Audits Director, Business Services Director, Campus Human Resources Director, Campus IT Director, Career Services Director, Child Development Director, Clinical Research Director, Collaborative Initiatives Director, Communications Director, Education or Training Programs Director, Environmental Health & Safety Director, Facilities Operations Director, Finance Director, Health Care Administration Director, Human Resources Director, Investigations Director, IT Director, LibraryPress Director, Marketing Director, Multipurpose Facility Director, Museum Operations Director, Operations Director, Procurement Director, Public Records Director, Public/Governmental Relations Director, Real Estate Director, Research Administration Director, Safety & Security Director, Sales & Marketing Director, Student Affairs Director, Student Financial Aid Director, Student Legal Services Director, Sustainability Director, University Budgets Director, University Housing Director, University Housing Operations Director, University Housing Residence Life Director, University Press Director, Utilities/Energy Thermal Production Executive Director Financial Officer, SIP Manager, Academic Support Services Manager, Accounting Manager, Assets Manager, Benefits Manager, Box Office Manager, Clinical Research Manager, Employee Relations Manager, Farm Manager, Finance Manager, Genetic Counseling Manager, Health Care Administration Manager, Health Information Manager, Hotel Manager, Human Resources Manager, Human Resources Processing & Records Manager, Immigration Services Manager, Internal Audits Manager, IT Manager, Marine Facilities & Operations Manager, Operations Manager, Postal Services Manager, Procurement Manager, Public/Governmental Relations Manager, Transportation Manager, University Records Manager, Warehouse/Stores Senior Director, Facilities Operations Senior Director, IT Senior Director, Student Affairs Superintendent, Custodial Superintendent, Grounds Superintendent, Maintenance University Architect University Registrar