What do managers use to solve complex problems?

I agree with Mrs.Woofter and Mr.Jetley.

Transparent Communication                                                                    Problem solving requires transparent communication where everyone’s concerns and points of view are freely expressed.

Break Down Silos

Transparent communication requires you to break down silos and enable a boundary-less organization whose culture is focused on the betterment of a healthier whole.

Open-minded People

Breaking down silos and communication barriers requires people to be open-minded.  In the end, problem solving is about people working together to make the organization and the people it serves better. Therefore, if you are stuck working with people that are closed-minded, effective problem solving becomes a long and winding road of misery.

  A Solid Foundational Strategy

Without strategy, change is merely substitution, not evolution.  A solid strategy must be implemented in order to solve any problem.  Many leaders attempt to dissect a problem rather than identify the strategy for change that lies within the problem itself.

They use tools like:

• Actor analysis
• Causal modelling
• Goal trees and means-end diagrams
• Problem diagrams
• Uncertainty
• Decision Support
• Score cards

This up to each manager how he/she can deal best with problem solving.

Mine is to access the problem and chose the most logical way and have at least a backup solution. Also keeping in mind what is there and can be used and what needs to changed. 

quantitative analysis and tools.

Deep vision and strong analytic skills