Are you a PLANNER or a PROBLEM SOLVER

[mondo joe]

Everyone I know falls into one of two categories: PLANNER or PROBLEM SOLVER.

Planners map out a sequence of events, tend to anticipate tasks and a timeline to accomplish those tasks. When unanticipated problems arise, however, they tend to have a harder time coming up with on-the-spot solutions.

Problem Solvers don't do the planning and tend to be last-minute in their solutions, but they also tend to be fast on their feet in coming up with those solutions and tend to not get phased by problems that do arise.

Planners are front loaders, putting their effort in at the outset, they are linear and they are detail oriented.

Problem Solvers are end loaders, putting their efforts in at the close, they are big-picture thinkers and not so concerned with detail.

Which are you?

[kick-ass-bob]

1. Problem solver.

Even when I try to be a planner, I can't.

[SCDem]

2. I'm a definite planner

and when I work I need to work with someone who is a great ender because I can map out the big picture and how to get there and even am real good and following out the initial steps of this big plan .... but I definitely need someone on a team that will help me get it done. Goes along with my personality type ENFP... great starters but need help on the fully executing it part!

[mondo joe]

4. Me too. Probably why I married a problem solver.

I'm a great planner but a lousy problem solver - my partner is the opposite. We tend to do very well when we work together on a project.

I can plot out a course while he's relaxing, but in the execution I'll fall apart or freeze and he'll turn into McGuyver.

In my work life I always try to team up with problem solvers foor the same reason.

[Misunderestimator]

3. I'm both...

:shrug:

[yvr girl]

5. I'm about as abstract random as you can get

I'm a problem solver - I love the rush. I hate making critical paths - I hate rules.

[hippiechick]

6. I'm a big picture planner.

I can start things, get 'em up and running, point people in the right direction ...

I am NOT detail oriented, nor am I a closer.

[BOSSHOG]

7. I'm a Retired Navy Chief

I didn't solve problems, I kicked their asses. Problems are parents which give birth to solutions if you fuck with them long enough (I guess thats the planning stage). Identify a problem, fix it, move on to the next problem.

[mondo joe]

8. Sounds like problem solver rather than planner to me

[BOSSHOG]

9. Our job was to solve problems on an at least daily basis

So we "planned" to do just that. And I was blessed with great Sailors to help get that job done. Chiefs take care of their Sailors, solutions take care of themselves.

"EXCELLENCE THROUGH LEADERSHIP." Ask the Chief.

[movie_girl99]

10. I'm a major planner

my husband is a major problem solver. we're a perfect match

[seabeyond]

11. hands down to extreme problem solver

i have recognized this a long time myself. and looking to start up a business this is how i see it in bringing people in. i have a friend that totally excels as a planner, and i do the problem solving. yup

[trof]

12. Interesting post. I think I'm both.

Which may explain why I'm also a world class procrastinator.
:shrug:

[Misunderestimator]

13. LOL.... Me too!

On all counts.

[welshTerrier2]

14. i really disagree with the premise of the question

i don't agree that problem solvers by definition are re-active rather than pro-active ... it's a totally specious dichotomy ...

a better spectrum might be between linear thinkers and abstract thinkers ... or between analytical types (i.e. thinkers) and production types (i.e. doers) ...

depending on the nature of the task at hand, in most cases i would prefer to have an abstract thinker as a "front loader" ... the more complex the task or problem, the more "thinking outside the box" i would prefer ... ideally, the front-end should not be excessively constrained by restrictive details ... this is where the highest premium should be put on unencumbered "visioning" ...

i see the process of visioning, defining, producing as a continuum that moves from the abstract to the specific ... I'd put my abstract thinker, visionary types as far up front as i could get them ... this is where the "pie in the sky" thinking should occur ... then, once we've narrowed down the alternatives, i'd start blending in project manager types to add some specificity ... this phase would begin to clearly define the project's phases, provide rough time estimates, determine staffing needs and other resource requirements ...

the model you defined seems to have totally admitted the real front-end ... if you start a project with linear thinkers, "planners" as you called them, you may end up with a well-designed highway system before you even consider whether mass transit would be a better alternative ... or whether better urban planning might significantly alter the highway design ...

capitalism has put way too much emphasis on short-term thinking ... this always reminds me of the great line from Firesign Theatre: "we've sent your bags on ahead sir ... where is it you're staying?" ... businesses today often like to toss around the phrase "paralysis through analysis" ... and they often run large expensive projects that fail because they never made any sense in the first place ...

[flamingyouth]

15. I'm a planner

Worse, I'm an overplanner. :D

[ohiosmith]

16. Both.

[jswordy]

17. Both...

...and I disagree with your premise. It is possible to plan for future events and yet realize that every plan is just a possible scenario, given that there are way too many future variables in any potential outcome.

Once the plan is viewed as a general guideline, problems are then expected and can be calmly and almost routinely dealt with as they come up. The ultimate outcome then usually does fall within range of the initial plan target, though not usually exactly on it. But that has already been accepted as the ways things work in life, anyway. And the outcome is almost always more than acceptable to others who may review it.

If I did not take this combined view, I could not efficiently and adeptly do my work.