Final answer:
Alternative strategies are contingency plans that come into play when standard approaches fail. These problem-solving strategies involve brainstorming alternative solutions and may require third-party intervention or creative workarounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alternative strategies that are employed when regular ones breakdown or fail to function as intended are often referred to as contingency plans or backup plans. These are preconceived response strategies or problem-solving strategies that come into play to handle unexpected situations effectively. They're akin to the concept of a "break glass in case of emergency" safeguard, where actions are enacted that wouldn't be part of everyday operations.
When an informal approach hasn't worked, or there's no internal mechanism to address a given situation, organizations may resort to alternative solutions. For instance, bringing in a neutral third-party to mediate or resolve conflicts can be an effective strategy when the usual internal processes don't yield results. Problems we face can be simple or complex, but regardless of complexity, when standard procedures fail, having a set of backup plans is a mark of good foresight and preparedness.
Problem-solving strategies require us to brainstorm alternative solutions, especially when faced with novel situations or time bombs that threaten to become bigger issues if not addressed promptly. We may need to process abstract information, anticipate new scenarios, and sometimes make sacrifices for the greater good, realizing that waiting for a crisis may leave us without the ability to respond timely. The goal is to identify the problem and employ the most suitable strategy to navigate through it, which may involve coming up with a creative way to side-step the issue without necessarily solving the problem's origin.