Problem Solver
RJ Redden
Areas RJ Redden is Knowledgeable in:
problem solving in virtual worlds, egovernment, information systems, social networking, community development, technology infrastructure.
Techniques RJ Redden Uses:
Rapid prototyping, creative visualization, designing information systems/processes that are integral to the organization's mission/strategic plan.
RJ Redden's Problem Solving Skills:
- Building/Re-tooling Information Systems
- Teaching
- Motivational Speaking
- Ideation
- Communication Skills
- Strategy Building
- Second Life/Virtual World Experience
- Working with Groups
RJ Redden's Problem Solving Experience:
- Within six months I made a presentation to my managers, and received approval to go forward with the automation project. I designed the new system and worked with one of our programmers for implementation. I also wrote the training materials for my fellow programmers. When the new program was up and running, we had reduced eight hours of work into half an hour.
Since then, I've had experiences like the one described above many times. A new program is not always the most appropriate answer, however. The proper diagnosis needs to be made before work begins. The most important part of the problem solving process is to fully research the problem at hand. The more I can be involved in all aspects of a problem, the better chance the new process will have to succeed. - I was working as a designer at a die making company. Every day, our department was faced with what we called the "burn list", which was a list of dies that needed to be burned on the laser and processed through our information system. This task was a large amount of busywork, and often the cause of dissension between the department members over who was going to do the work. In addition, the process was extremely prone to human error. The "burn list" usually took about eight hours per day, which was split up between various members of the department. When I inquired whether this process could be improved, I heard an answer that I've heard many times over the years. "This is the only way this process can be done. We've always done it this way, and we will always do it this way." At first, I simply assumed they were right. But, as I encountered this problem over and over again, another idea began to formulate.