Download - A New Problem Solving Method
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A New Problem Solving Method Thomas Teepe
February 19, 2011
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What is my aim?
I present my favourite hands-on method of problem solving(… and of thinking in general)
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What are the basic ideas?
It's a combination of 2 things:1.notemaking
- using several clever tricks2.tools
for problem solving… with an emphasis on reflective thinking!
This combination works for me much better than each of its 2 components on their own.
'Reflective ' sounded academic and boring.I thought again ;-) - reflection is central for solving tough problems.
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First:Notemaking
Second:Problem Solving Tools
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Why Notemaking?● support concentration● master complex thoughts
● break down a problem into smaller parts
● collect ideas first and examine them afterwards
● combine verbal and visual thinking● see ideas from a distance● document thoughts
● can be adapted in many ways
Some famous notemakers:
Leonardo da Vinci
Isaac Newton
Charles Darwin
Ludwig van Beethoven
Thomas Edison
Pablo Picasso
Carl Friedrich Gauss
Oscar Wilde
Alfred Hitchcock
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Basics of the notemaking process 1
We use a two-column layout1.left column for the main material2.right column for
- reflection, - comments, - questions- etc.
For me, the 'reflection column' is simple & effective support to guide my thoughts
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Basics ofthe notemaking process 2
I use several elements in combination● keywords● hierarchical arrangement of ideas● combining words and images● colours (sometimes)● tables● diagrams
Some basic ideas come from mind mapping
I find tables very powerful - yet somewhat underrated and underused in mind mapping
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Some remarks on writing materials
Goal:● get lots of content on one page● … and stay legible
This works well for me:● mechanical pencil 0,3 mm HB● a bound notebook
blank pages, size A5● small handwriting
Surprisingly relevant.
Imho, superior to 0,5 mm
even tiny
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Here is astep-by-step example.
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MainColumn
start withthe separationline
ReflectionColumn
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addheadline
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arrange ideasin hierarchies
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add diagrams
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add tables
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add to do itemsadd checkmarks later
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add reflections
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Second:Problem Solving Tools
First wasNotemaking
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What is a problem solving tool?● everything that may help
to solve a problem
Examples● brainstorm● ask yourself questions● ask a colleague● search the internet● sleep over it● reflect:
● improve your ideas● understand how you think
naive but useful defintion
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How to organize problem solving tools?● Step 1:
Split the problem solving process into stages
● Step 2:For each stage, collect a number of useful tools
● Plus:Reflection tools that help at each stage
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Stages of problem solving- a simple model:
● understand the problem● define reasonable goals● develop plans for the goals● choose a plan● carry out the plan● reflect reflection is useful
1) in each of the other stages2) for a final look back
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Here comesa small collection of toolsfor each stage
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Understand the problem● start with a top-down analysis● ask questions● collect information about the
problem● internet search● literature● interview people
● draw a diagram
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Define reasonable goals● What is the right thing to do?● What would XY do?● state goals clearly● describe SMART goals
● S - specific● M - measurable● A - attainable● R - relevant● T - time bound
XY is a person I take as a role model in the given problem situation.
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Develop plans for these goals● start with the goal
and develop a plan backwards● develop a plan top-down:
start with a general plan and make it more specific
● ask repeatedly 'How can this be achieved?'
● exploit solutions from similar or analogue problems
● brainstorm for unusual ideas
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Choose a plan● check the plans for obstacles,
gaps...● compare plans pairwise● list the pros and cons● trust your gut feeling
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Reflection● So what?
What now?● collect shortcomings and criticism● collect obstacles and barriers● collect conflicts● examine results
In my experience, these simple questions are surprisingly powerful.
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I often use only two simple sets of tools1.one for the main column:
PrAnGoPlExCo stands forProblem DescriptionAnalysisGoalsPlansExecute planControl
2.one for the reflection column:QOCS stands forQuestionsObstaclesConflictsSo what?!
I write these acronyms on top of the columns – each time a useful reminder of good problem solving practices.
Constantly adapting these tools to my personal needs is paramount.
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How to combine notemaking and problem solving tools?
Here is an example.
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Start with- separation line- tool acronym PrAnGoPlExCo- tool acronym QOCS
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add headline
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start with tool 'Pr' = Problem Description
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use reflection tools
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use further toolsfrom PrAnGoPlExCo
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AdvantagesFor me, the method is...● effective:
notemaking + tools guide my thinking through problems
● efficient:no needless fuss - simple, quick, cheap and easily available
● flexible:can be adapted to all sorts of problems, domains, uses...
For a computerized version, I use the fabulous notebook software OneNote.
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Sources● Tony and Barry Buzan:
The Mind Map Book● David N. Perkins:
Outsmarting IQ● John Bransford / Barry Stein:
The IDEAL Problem Solver