How do you collaborate with problem solvers outside your industry?

2 Seek diverse perspectives

The next step is to seek diverse perspectives from problem solvers outside your industry who can offer valuable insights, knowledge, or skills that can help you solve the problem. You can use methods such as networking, interviewing, or surveying to find and connect with potential collaborators, and to understand their backgrounds, interests, and motivations. You can also use tools such as empathy maps, personas, or customer journeys to empathize with their perspectives and experiences, and to identify their pain points and opportunities.

4 Communicate effectively

The fourth step is to communicate effectively with your collaborators throughout the CPS process, and to establish trust, respect, and mutual understanding. You can use tools such as active listening, paraphrasing, or summarizing to ensure clarity and accuracy of communication, and to avoid confusion or conflict. You can also use tools such as feedback loops, check-ins, or debriefs to monitor progress, share feedback, and celebrate achievements.

5 Learn and adapt

The fifth step is to learn and adapt from your collaboration with problem solvers outside your industry, and to apply the lessons learned to improve your CPS skills and outcomes. You can use tools such as reflection, evaluation, or documentation to capture and analyze the results, impacts, and challenges of your collaboration, and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your CPS process. You can also use tools such as action plans, follow-ups, or recommendations to implement and sustain the solution, and to maintain and nurture the relationship with your collaborators.

6 Collaborate with problem solvers outside your industry

Collaborating with problem solvers outside your industry can be a rewarding and enriching experience that can enhance your CPS skills and outcomes. By following these tips, you can leverage the diversity and synergy of different fields, and create solutions that meet the needs and expectations of your customers and stakeholders.