General Procedural Model for Problem Solving

John A. Cagleadapted from Adams & Galanes

Stages in Preparing a SpeechDecision to

Speak

Purpose &Subject

InformationNeeds

Evaluate information

Personal

Interviews

Books

Periodicals

Internet

Organize

Language

Practice

DeliverSpeech

EvaluateResults

Create thesis &arguments

Stages in Group Problem Solving

Exigency:Decision to act

Nature of problem& fact finding

Information needs

Evaluate information

Decide onbest solution

Developimplementation

plan

Plan & deliverreport

EvaluateResults

Generate possiblesolutions

PersonalInterviewsBooksPeriodicalsInternet

Evaluate possiblesolutions

PMOPS: General Procedural Model for Problem Solving

What is the nature of the problem facing us? What might be done to solve the problem? What are the relative merits and demerits of

the possible solutions? What is the best decision we can all support? How will we put our solution into effect? How can we prepare an effective written and

oral report?

Action Items

Owner Due DateDescription

Matin 2/14/10 how many people killed in Fresno County by drunk drivers a year

Banu 2/14/10 how many arrests made each year of drunk drivers

Joua 2/14/10 what % of drunk drivers get arrested

Danny 2/16/10 what are current ways of solving problem

I. What is the nature of the problem facing us? A. Focus on the problem before thinking

about how to solve it. B. Begin with a single, unambiguous

problem question. – 1. Problem questions focus on the problem

(the undesirable state) and imply that many solutions are possible

– 2. Solution questions focus on what to do, suggesting a solution in the question itself

I. What is the nature of the problem facing us?

C. Fact Finding: “Map” the problem carefully: who, what, why, when, where, how, how long, how serious

D. Be sure the group members agree on criteria [alternatively: Phase III task]

– 1. Absolute criteria must be met– 2. Important criteria should be met

I. What is the nature of the problem facing us?

E. Be sure the group understands its interdependence, authority, autonomy resources, and relationship to other groups.

II. What might be done to solve the problem? A. Defer judgment when seeking

solutions. B. Return to fact finding when new

questions arise.

III. What are the relative merits and demerits of the possible solutions?

A. Analyze and evaluate the potential solutions against the criteria

B. Promote norms stressing critical examination of all issues.

IV. What is the best solution we can all support? A. Which solution seems most likely to

be accepted and supported by all persons affected by it?

B. Is there a compromise solution we can all accept as being likely to solve our problem?

C. Can we combine these ideas, or parts of them, into a solution?

V. How will we put our solution into effect? A. Who will do what, when, and in what

way? B. What resources are needed? C. Develop an implementation plan as

complete as possible

VI. Reports

A. Write a persuasive written report to the appropriate parent body.

B. Plan an effective and persuasive oral presentation of the report.