What Is Puzzle Management?

“Puzzle management” refers to an approach to problem-solving that involves breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable pieces, and then identifying and addressing the root causes of those smaller problems. This approach is also known as “root cause analysis” or “issue tree analysis.”

The term “puzzle management” appears to have originated in the business world, and specifically in the context of manufacturing and supply chain management. The Chinese appliance manufacturer Haier is one company that has been credited with popularising the concept of puzzle management, which it has used to streamline its production processes and improve the quality of its products.

Haier’s approach to puzzle management involves creating a detailed map of the production process and identifying all of the potential points of failure. By breaking down the process into smaller pieces, the company can more easily identify the root causes of any problems that arise and take corrective action to address them. This approach has helped Haier to improve efficiency and reduce waste, while also improving the quality of its products.

Puzzle management can also be applied to software development companies. In this context, the approach might involve breaking down a complex software project into smaller modules, each of which can be developed and tested separately. By identifying and addressing the root causes of any issues at the module level, developers can avoid larger problems down the line and ultimately deliver a more robust and reliable software product.

Aside: We might choose to regard Goldratt’s Current Reality Tree (CRT) approach as a system-wide version of puzzle management.

Overall, puzzle management is a useful approach to problem-solving that can be applied to a wide range of industries and contexts. By breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable pieces, organisations can more easily identify and address the root causes of those problems and ultimately improve their performance and outcomes.