What Makes a Great Problem Solver? (Hint: It’s Not Just Technical Skills)

In industrial environments, it’s easy to assume that the best problem solvers are the ones with the most technical knowledge.

And yes — deep technical expertise matters. But it’s not the whole picture.

We’ve worked with engineers, operators, technicians, and managers across mining, utilities, energy, and manufacturing.

And the standout problem solvers? They’re not always the loudest. They’re not the ones with the biggest title.

They’re the ones who ask better questions — and follow the evidence.

Let’s break down what really sets them apart:

1. They don’t jump to conclusions

Strong problem solvers resist the urge to blame or assume. They know that what seems obvious often isn’t the full story.

Instead of rushing to fix, they slow down and clarify:

• What do we actually know?

• What’s missing?

• Who else was involved?

In Sologic, we call this Step 1: Gather the Evidence. Because without facts, everything else falls apart.

2. They define the problem properly

• “We’re having reliability issues.”

• “This pump keeps failing.”

• “There’s a safety risk.”

These statements are common, but they’re not clear problem definitions.

A great problem solver narrows the focus:

• When does it happen?

• Where?

• Under what conditions?

• What’s the impact?

This precision helps teams stay aligned — and avoid chasing the wrong rabbit.

3. They connect causes — not just symptoms

Blame is easy. “Human error.” “Poor design.” “Lack of training.”

But great problem solvers look for cause-and-effect chains. They dig until they understand:

• What caused the failure?

• What allowed it to happen?

• What system breakdowns were in play?

At Sologic, we use visual cause-and-effect charts that map this logic — making it easier to see interdependencies and hidden contributors.

4. They collaborate

No single person ever sees the full picture. That’s why structured RCA is a team sport.

Great problem solvers know how to:

• Facilitate productive conversations

• Include diverse voices

• Keep discussions focused on learning, not blaming

It’s not about who’s right — it’s about what’s true.

5. They implement solutions that work

Not all fixes are created equal. Strong problem solvers prioritise actions that:

• Target specific causes

• Are owned by someone

• Include follow-ups and verification steps

They also know how to document clearly, share lessons, and close the loop — so that problems don’t return six months later under a different name.

It’s a Skill You Can Learn

These traits aren’t just “gut instinct” or personality. They’re skills — and they can be learned, practiced, and improved.

That’s what we do at Sologic.

Through our training, facilitation, and software, we help people become more structured, more confident, and more effective at solving the problems that really matter.

Because when your team learns to think like a great problem solver, everything improves:

✔ Reliability
✔ Safety
✔ Culture
✔ Bottom line

Want to build these skills across your team? Let’s talk about how SOLOGIC can help.

Book a complimentary Discovery Call.