Cause and Effect Case

To test the problem statement and to make sure that the root of the problem is found by using the five problem restatement techniques are viable (Jones, 1998). Additionally, I found that by using brainstorming and cause and effect diagram are helpful qualitative tools to help in restating the problem statement.

The original problem statement is: How to plan, manage, and clearly define the expectation between the interior designer and the client to bring the project from its current state to the desired state.

Paraphrasing which is restating the problem using different words allowed me to see if the root of the problem still stays at the problem or does the problem now become a symptom of a different problem. Paraphrasing the problem statement to how to help the client see my vision as an interior designer.

The second technique is using the 180 degree technique which is to turn the problem around and to find the opportunity. The opportunity is to assist the client in finding her creative vision and to take that vision and apply it to the current room we are designing by being able to visualize my plan to the desired state.

The third technique is to broaden the focus by restating the problem in a larger context. The problem of bridging the gap between the client and myself is the problem but it is part of the bigger picture because this ultimately causes the client delays in getting the room finished by the original deadline date and more importantly financially impacts the items that need to be purchased for the room.

The fourth technique is redirection (Jones, 98). By changing the overall focus of the problem and taking a look at the problem from the clients perspective still remains to be the same problem. The client’s perspective could be that the interior designer did not listen to her wants in designing the room. The client may feel as though she cannot fully trust the interior designer to do what the client likes. Viewing the problem from this angle did allow me to see that a client may have control issues and trust issues with the interior