Lesson 13: Problem Solving and Troubleshooting
Date: October 30, 2025
Session Time: 8:00am-12:00pm EST
Duration: 4 hours (including 15-minute exercise)
Key Learning Objective
Identifying construction challenges systematically and developing effective problem-solving strategies to maintain project momentum and quality.
Lesson Overview
This session teaches systematic problem-solving approaches for construction projects, including root cause analysis, solution development, and implementation strategies.
Main Activities (3 hours 45 minutes)
- Problem identification and classification
- Root cause analysis techniques
- Solution development and evaluation
- Implementation planning and execution
- Documentation of solutions and lessons learned
15-Minute Exercise: Construction Challenge Analysis
Exercise Description
Identify a specific construction challenge encountered during the project, analyze its root causes, and develop a solution plan with implementation steps.
Materials Needed
- Project documentation and photos
- Notebook for analysis
- Problem-solving template
- Camera for documenting issues
- Basic tools for testing solutions
Exercise Steps (15 minutes)
- Problem Identification (3 minutes)
- Select one specific construction challenge
- Describe the problem clearly and objectively
- Note when and where the problem occurred
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Identify who was involved and what was being done
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Root Cause Analysis (5 minutes)
- Use "5 Whys" technique to find root cause
- Identify contributing factors (materials, methods, environment, etc.)
- Note any patterns or recurring issues
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Assess the impact on project timeline and quality
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Solution Development (4 minutes)
- Brainstorm 3-4 possible solutions
- Evaluate each solution for feasibility and effectiveness
- Consider cost, time, and quality implications
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Select the best solution with justification
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Implementation Plan (3 minutes)
- Create step-by-step implementation plan
- Identify resources and tools needed
- Plan how to test the solution
- Note how to prevent similar problems in future
Deliverable
- Problem description with context
- Root cause analysis with contributing factors
- Selected solution with justification
- Implementation plan with steps and resources
Success Criteria
- Problem is clearly defined and documented
- Root cause analysis identifies underlying issues
- Solution is practical and addresses root causes
- Implementation plan is specific and actionable
Integration with Overall Project
This exercise develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for successful project completion and teaches how to handle unexpected challenges professionally.
Previous Session: Lesson 12: Mid-Project Review
Next Session: Lesson 14: Documentation