Problem solving and decision making are closely related. When a problem arises, the preliminary steps lead up to a decision about which a possible solution will be implemented. Like decision making, problem solving may involve a relatively insignificant item, or it may concern a serious issue with the possibility of a major impact on the entire organization. The larger and more important the problem, the more time and detail go into each step of the problem-solving process. For minor problems, several of the steps may be accomplished mentally in only a few seconds.

But the process always includes all these steps:

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