First, make sure you've got the problem framed right...

Good entry at the HBR blog page. "Critically analyzing and clearly articulating a problem can yield highly innovative solutions. Organizations that ask better questions and define their problems with more rigor can create strategic advantage and unlock truly groundbreaking innovation. Asking better questions delivers better results.

Excerpted from Dwayne Spradlin article on the Harvard Business Review Blog page "The Power of Defining the Problem" Definately worth a look.