Build on existing knowledge
Avoid reinventing the wheel. Instead, ask: "Have I or someone else in the organization faced a similar situation in the past? If so, how was it handled? What were the results? How might we fine-tune the solution to accommodate conditions that have changed since that earlier time?"
For example, ask other managers how they've handled delays in their groups' key processes. They may have developed solutions or strategies that you can adapt or apply directly to your own situation. They may also know something about certain steps in your process that can shed light on possible solutions.