COACHES AS PROBLEM DEFINERS AND SOLVERS Part III

To fully understand a well-formed problem it is best to contrast it to an ill-formed problem. So here goes. The first list identifies characteristics and criteria of an ill-formed problem. After that, the contrast list along with elicitation questions for a well-formed problem. As a Coach you are a problem-solver and so you facilitate them moving from ill-formed to a well-formed problem. As you do, often that’s all that’s required. The process itself enables the client to develop sufficient clarity about what to do, when to do it, with whom, etc. and the problem solves itself. And if not, then they are ready for a well-formed solution!

An Ill-Formed Problem What would a problem that’s ill-formed be like? It would be —

1) Vaguely defined Poorly defined; described with over-generalizations. Defined in abstract terms without clear referents.

2) Indistinct boundaries Lack of clarity as to when the problem begins and ends.

3) Time element long and time factors Unaware of when the problem began. The problem keeps returning. The problem keeps recurring. Problem seems to have been around for a long time.