Posted: August 9th, 2022

Troubleshooting Techniques

Troubleshooting Techniques
Technique Name Looking for patterns’ technique
Alternative Names Process elimination, and cause and effect technique
How the technique works The technique involves pattern recognition, which assist in taking the right action, for instance identifying repeated items, or data that do not count, or work. When making the changes, the technique allows one to evaluate how the change affect other parts of the work (Talova, 2019). Changes are made one at a time. On the other hand, the technique should be supported by a backup plan, which is essential before changing data.
Advantages Provides a permanent solution
Disadvantages Time consuming
When to use the technique The technique is applied in solving complex problems, such as in poker games, winning a court case, in recognizing various patterns of scam, increasing profits, and committing a robbery. Also looking for pattern technique assist in speeding up on software development.
Comments Mostly used in investigation

Technique Name Divide, and Conquer
Alternative Names Split up technique
How the technique works The technique involves dividing a problem into various sections that can easily be managed, and sorted out. The method is mostly used to identify the root cause of a problem, and come up with best solution to the problem. The divide and conquer technique are applied to all the divided problems, where after conquer, the user rules out the problem. The method is constantly applied until all problems are solved, and a solution provided.
Advantages Assist solve the most complex problems, where the method reduces the level of difficulty, since the problems are divided into smaller problems.
Disadvantages The method is time consuming, especially in dividing the problem into various parts. Also, the technique is expensive, especially in applying resources in every part of the problem. Breaking down the problem into sub-problems may raise other sub-problems, which makes the problem more complicated.
When to use the technique In finding malicious servers on a network system.
Comments It is the most applicable technique for solving complex, and large problems.

Technique Name Flow charting
Alternative Names Process flowchart
How the technique works Assist in developing various methods of problem solving, through a designed model. For instance, start, input, operation, decision, and output.
Advantages Used in solving a variety of problems, and effective in determining how a certain process works.
Disadvantages Time consuming, and tiresome, especially in drawing the flow chart (Talova, 2019).
When to use the technique A flow cart can be used in solving mathematical problems, where the computer is instructed on the tasks to perform. Also, in outlining inter-departmental operations.
Comments The method provides a sequence of activities to be performed to reach to the solution.

Technique Name Workaround
Alternative Names Getting something done
How the technique works The techniques assist reduce the impacts of a problem. Also, the technique is applied for temporary solution before applying a root cause analysis or any other problem-solving technique that can provide long-term or permanent outcome.
Advantages Enhances business continuity, and reduce the impact of the problem.
Disadvantages Does not solve the problem permanently, and does not provide the root cause to the problem.
When to use the technique In fixing a not-working printer.
Comments It is a temporary problem-solving solution

Technique Name Rephrasing
Alternative Names Re-defining
How the technique works The technique involves understanding and rephrasing the problem in simple form, that can be understood by the mind. The technique assist gain a deeper understanding of the problem.
Advantages Rephrasing saves on time, solves a problem automatic compared to flowcharting, and provide creative ways of dealing with the problem in future (Putra, et, al.,2020).
Disadvantages May not be reliable, especially when perfect, ad permanent solution is required.
When to use the technique Can be used as a mental coping approach.
Comments Repeating the issue or sharing with someone is part of understanding the problem.

Technique Name Root-cause analysis
Alternative Names Cause and effect analysis technique
How the technique works Root-cause analysis is conducted through a number of techniques, methodologies, and approaches. For instance, the method involves, looking for the cause of a problem through causal factor analysis, barrier analysis, and change analysis (Talova, 2019). Root-cause analysis first looks into the visible problem, the first-level problem, the highest-level problem, and lastly into the root cause.
Advantages Provides the root cause of the problem, and permanently eliminates a problem, or improves the process.
Disadvantages The method is expensive, and requires more work. For instance, in root cause analysis, books, case studies, research, and other articles are required.
When to use the technique Can be used in troubleshooting service delivery problems.
Comments The techniques assist in identifying complex parts of the problem, and the points of failure.

References
Putra, A. E., Rukun, K., Irfan, D., Munawir, K., Usmi, F., & Jaafar, A. (2020). Designing and Developing Artificial Intelligence Applications Troubleshooting Computers as Learning Aids. Asian Social Science and Humanities Research Journal (ASHREJ), 2(1), 38-44.
Talova, E. (2019). Introduction to PLC. White Paper Series, (954).

Order | Check Discount

Tags: Troubleshooting Techniques