What is problem solving?

Whether at school, in the workplace or in your personal life, everyone encounters setbacks. Knowing when and how to apply problem solving techniques is key to overcoming challenges to help you move forward and achieve success.

Why are problem solving skills important?

Problem solving has been found to be one of the top skills employers look for when recruiting, so learning how to apply this skill in different scenarios can help prepare learners for the world of work. By gaining an understanding of the six stages of problem solving, as well as identifying situations in which they already use these skills, learners will gain an adaptable approach to problem solving.

LifeSkills problem solving resources help make day-to-day problem solving easier and help you use a different perspective to reach a goal, whether at school, home or in employment. Use the activities below to understand the six stages of problem solving, as well as identify the different types of situations in which you might already be using these skills.

Putting problem solving into action
Putting problem solving into action

Problems are easy to solve if we break them down. Follow this step-by-step guide to help you solve them.

6 stages of problem solving
6 stages of problem solving

Check out this fun animation that explains the six simple steps to help you solve your problems and get on with things

Listening and problem solving skills can be essential in the workplace
Listening and problem solving skills can be essential in the workplace

See how these skills can be vital in different work place situations and how you can master them and develop other key skills with LifeSkills

Reboot Your Thinking With These Cool Hacks
Reboot Your Thinking With These Cool Hacks

Solving problems doesn't have to be a chore. These hacks show how good problem solving can produce inventive solutions.

I want to develop my mindset and skills for work
I want to develop my mindset and skills for work

From problem solving and improving your efficiency to revealing your creativity and hidden strengths, discover the skills and qualities that will help set you up for success.

I want an insight into how the world of work is changing
I want an insight into how the world of work is changing

From resilience and problem solving to creative thinking and proactivity – explore our tools to help you step into a job with confidence.

From lesson plans and activities for students to complete in the classroom to modules that help build the employability skills of adult learners you might be supporting one to one, our problem solving resources enable you to build your learners’ confidence to overcome challenges and think creatively to solve problems they encounter at school, college, in the workplace or their personal lives. 

Problem solving
Remote Learning
Lesson Plan 11-19
Problem solving

Help students develop problem solving skills utilising a clear 6-step process adapted from computational thinking used for coding.

Includes Quick Activity
Help your students become expert problem solvers
Advice 2 mins 11-16
Help your students become expert problem solvers

Find out about the 6-step process we’ve created to help support young people in developing their problem solving skills.

LifeSkills By LifeSkills
Understand core transferable skills original
Understand core transferable skills original

Find out more about the core transferable skills young people need to be better prepared for the future workplace.

Boosting your problem solving skills
Module
Boosting your problem solving skills

This module will support learners to apply a six-step problem solving strategy, explore three problem solving scenarios and practise an exercise on future problem solving.

Understanding your zones of control
Module
Understanding your zones of control

This module will help improve learners’ focus. It supports them to identify what is within their control and what is not, giving them more clarity on the actions they need to take.

Overcoming setbacks
Module
Overcoming setbacks

This module focuses on positive challenge for growth. It will encourage learners to reflect how they currently deal with setbacks and consider how they can take a new approach.

Looking for more ways to boost problem-solving skills with LifeSkills?

Problem solving is important both to individuals and organisations to allow us to have control over our environment. It gives us the power to identify the things we want to change, and work out what needs to be done to create a desired outcome. Problem solving is also the source of all new inventions and social and cultural evolution, leading to continuing improvement in our communication and learning.

You can find lots of other LifeSkills content that may prove useful for helping yourself or your learners build their problem solving skills, so they feel confident in meeting challenges, overcoming obstacles and approaching creative and strategic projects from a different angle.

  • Students aged 14 and over can access the Young people hub to develop problem solving and other core transferable skills further, so you’re ready for the future workplace.
  • Educators can access our Educator hub which contains full-length lesson plans, modules, independent worksheets, online lesson films and interactive tools so you can deliver problem solving content to young people and adults, regardless of the setting. Make sure you set up your dashboard to see the content most relevant to you whether you are coaching an adult, teaching a class or mentoring a group.
  • If you’re an adult adapting to Changing worklife, our hub contains articles and advice on how you can boost your problem solving skills to achieve workplace success.