Problem Solving

Problem Solving

Dandi Daley

Mackall

Reviewed by-

Dr. Atiqul Haq Mazumder

Thinking is a process and thought is the product output

Problem Solving

A systematic approach to define problem and create many possible solutions without judging them.

Problem Solving

A systematic approach to define problem and create many possible solutions without judging them.

It is a cognitive process directed at a goal where no solution method is obvious to the problem solver.

It is a cognitive process directed at a goal where no solution method is obvious to the problem solver.

–“It's not a problem that we have a problem. It's a problem if we don't deal with the problem.”

– --Mary Kay Utech

–“It's not a problem that we have a problem. It's a problem if we don't deal with the problem.”

– --Mary Kay Utech

The “Pop-Up” principle suggests that solutions yield problems of their own.

Problem 1

Problem 3

Problem 4

Problem 2

Problem 5Solution toProblem 2

Solution toProblem 1

“The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.”

--Theodore Ruskin

Problem Solving Skill

We use problem solving skill in everyday live without our conscious awareness:

Problem Solving Skill

We use problem solving skill in everyday live without our conscious awareness:

Thinking Creatively

Thinking logically

Analyzing the problem

By research

Forming a hypothesis

Troubleshooting

“Confident of your problem solving skills, you can turn each problem in to an opportunity”

Basic Brain Structure

Left Brain Vs Right Brain

Left Brain Right BrainAnalytic thought

Step by step process

Holistic thoughtSeeing “big” picture before understanding details

LogicConclusions based upon a logical or consecutive order

IntuitionInsight based upon incomplete patterns or “hunches”

LanguageUsing words to name/describe/define

CreativityDemonstrative with minimal word use, understanding relationships

Math & ScienceNumber use, awareness of time, symbols, facts & linear reasoning

Art & MusicPutting pieces together to form “wholes”

Scientific Thinking

Creative Thinking

Logical, Critical, Analytical, Convergent, Predictable,Straight-linerthinking

Insightful, Inspirational, Exploratory, Divergent, Generative, Unpredictable, Lateral thinking

One right answer

ProbabilityRight brainJudgment

New answer to old problems

PossibilityLeft brainSuspended

FocusedObjectiveVerbalLinearYes, ButReasoning

DiffusedSubjectiveVisualAssociatedYes, AndNovelty

Problem Solving Skill

Problem Solving Skill

Development of the left brain led to greater attention to critical thinking

Problem Solving Skill

Problem Solving Skill

Optimal use of the mind requires both critical and creative thinking

Four Steps of Critical Thinking

Four Steps of Critical Thinking Identifying the problem

Brainstorming many options

Negotiating

Selecting the best option

Six Steps of Creative Thinking

Six Steps of Creative Thinking

Identifying idea requirement

Idea generation

Idea assessment

Idea development

Idea evaluation

Idea utilization

System of Creative Thinking

System of Creative Thinking

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30 of 21

Thinking Inside the Box(Thesis)

Thinking Outside the Box(Antithesis)

Praise success and praise failure

Praise success and punish failure

Example of Flows of Ideas; New Terms

Tournament of mind

Mutation of ideas

Idea engineering

Example of Flows of Ideas; New Terms

Tournament of mind

Mutation of ideas

Idea engineering

Mind mapping

Idea sensing

Idea accounting

Idea transferring

Idea pooling

Mind mapping

Idea sensing

Idea accounting

Idea transferring

Idea pooling

Creative Thinking Requires:

Creative Thinking Requires:

Creative ability

Creative attitude

Power of imagination

Myths About Creative Thinking :

Myths About Creative Thinking :

Comes out in a flush

It’s natural , can’t be

acquired

Born genius

Techniques for Creative ThinkingTechniques for

Creative ThinkingBrainstorming

Don’t Accept Everything at

Face value. Challenge Assumptions .

Keep a Notebook to

Synthesize ideas

Remember to I n ven t

the Post- I t Note

Tommor row!!Need a glu e tha t's

n ot very sti cky

®

“Chance favours the prepared mind.”–Louis Pasteur

Visualization: Future

Pacing

Potholes and PitfallsPotholes and Pitfalls

Logical Fallacies

“Not So Fast”

Rush to judgment

Hasty Generalization

Poisoning the Well

Car Washing in the Rain

“ You Just Gotta”

Techniques for Brainstorming

Techniques for Brainstorming

Brainstorming by Word Association

Book

Study

Success

Techniques for Brainstorming

Techniques for Brainstorming

Brainstorming by Clustering/ Mapping

LibraryLibrary

ExamExam

StressStress

MeditationMeditationTeachersTeachers

ImpressionImpression

BooksBooksNew New MarketMarket

HomeHome

Brainstorming by free

writingOK So I need to write about brainstorming. Usually its done in a group but not always sometimes individual. Works best in a group though people feed off each others creativity especially if they have different backgrounds – social professional – etc. So how does it work as a group

- get people together for a time period ½ to 1 hour- anything goes. no criticism – insane crazy ideas are ok- need to ensure nobody gets censored though so need a

group leader to facilitate stuff. should also record- Also good to later sort out ideas by being critical and further exploring them

But the biggest point is to make sure there is no criticism & that people can come up with all sorts of ideas. Should also be fun laughing – sort of like a creative party with stuff written on the blackboard

OK So I need to write about brainstorming. Usually its done in a group but not always sometimes individual. Works best in a group though people feed off each others creativity especially if they have different backgrounds – social professional – etc. So how does it work as a group

- get people together for a time period ½ to 1 hour- anything goes. no criticism – insane crazy ideas are ok- need to ensure nobody gets censored though so need a

group leader to facilitate stuff. should also record- Also good to later sort out ideas by being critical and further exploring them

But the biggest point is to make sure there is no criticism & that people can come up with all sorts of ideas. Should also be fun laughing – sort of like a creative party with stuff written on the blackboard

Informal Journals

Formal Engineering Journals

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10 & 2 i n v o l t a g e .

r a n g e . . 5 m s / d i v a n d 3 . 8 d i v1. 4 117 m r a n g e 4 . 4 v p p / r e t u r n

Dos of Brainstormin

g

Don’ts of Brainstormin

g•Speak/Write Fast•Set a Time limit•Say the First Thing that Comes to Mind•Be Vulnerable

•Think

•Censure Yourself

•Analyze

•Make Judgment

•Slow Down

People ProblemsPeople Problems

Lack of Training

Own Unhappiness

Disillusionment with the Job

Personal Conflict

Unhealthy Competition

Customer Conflict

Ineffective Team

Factions

Discrimination

Organizational

ProblemsOrganizational

Problems Inability to Get the Resources

Unclear Chain of Command

Changes in the Economy

Changes in the Marketplace

Overlapping Responsibilities

Mechanical ProblemsMechanical Problems

Computers

Telephones

Fax

Copiers

Analyzing the ProblemAnalyzing the Problem

The Six Ws The SWOT Test

1.Who? Strength

2.What? Weaknesses

3.When? Opportunities

4.Where? Threats-Seasonal

5.Why? Cost, Number etc

6.What if? Possibilities

Dos of Setting Goals

Don’ts of Setting Goals

•Get the Root Cause•Be Specific•Relate Goal to Overall Purpose•Include a Timeframe•Visualize the End

•Settle for the Effect

•Be General

•Be Uniformed

•Make a Wish and hope

•Lump Goals and Objectives Together

Setting ObjectivesSetting ObjectivesObjectives are Bite-size Measurable

goals

“The way to achieve success is first to have a definite, clear, practical idea- a goal, an objective. Second, have the

necessary means to achieve your ends-wisdom, money, materials, methods. Third, adjust all your means to that

end.”

-Aristotle

A Plan of Action includes-

A Plan of Action includes-A Clear Statement of the

plan

Clear-cut Goals and Objectives

Step by Step Strategy

A Schedule with deadlines

“If you fail to meet your deadline, you could single-

handedly derail your company’s action plan”

Allocation of Resources

Delegation of Jobs

Contingency Plans

An Internal Review System

Follow ThroughFollow Through Anticipation Saves on

Frustration

“If Your Plan A Fails Apart, Do You Have a Plan B?"

Troubleshooting

“Good Working Teams Try to Troubleshoot Problems Before They Happen.”

Flexibility

Persistence

“Some men give up their design when they have almost reached their goals; while others, on the contrary, obtain a vigorous efforts than before.”

-Polybius

Follow Through with Celebration

Follow Through with Celebration

1. At one week point-When an objective is reached

2. At one month point-When you arrive at the end

3.With every individual success -When you overcome an obstacle

4.At positive feedback on the plan- Before moving on

1. Study the problem and focus on the goal.

1. Study the problem and focus on the goal.

Some Tricks for Creativity

2.Build on others' ideas.Brainstorm.

2.Build on others' ideas.Brainstorm.

3.Organize a hotshot team.

Build teamwork.

3.Organize a hotshot team.

Build teamwork.

4.Break down a complex solution4.Break down a complex solution

5.Document your progress.5.Document your progress.

Phrases that Kill Creativity•We tried that before.•It costs too much.•It’s too radical a change.•Let’s get back to reality.•You’re right, but . . . .•Not that again.•We did all right without it.•Let’s form a committee.

•It can’t be done.•Quit dreaming.•NO!•Why me?•What now?•Not my problem!•Don’t ask me!

• “You can’t depend upon your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.”

–Mark Twain

• “Computer are useless. They can only give you answers.”

–Pablo Picasso

• “To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.”

–Thomas Edison

• “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.”

–Albert Einstein• “No great discovery is ever made

without a bold guess.”

–Sir Isaac Newton

THANK YOU