Problem Solving Behavior

Designer’s problem solving styles

– Introvert• Reflective, quiet, thinks and speaks, likes to

have time alone to solve problems - Has difficulty thinking while under pressure.

• Must be encouraged to speak in teams.

Problem Solving Behavior

Designer’s problem solving styles

– Extrovert• Speaks before thinking, does not listen, sociable

• 75% of people, 48% of engineering students

• Must be encouraged to listen in teams

Problem Solving Behavior

Fact-oriented people– Literal, practical, realistic, deal with detail, sometimes

lose the big picture

– 75% of Americans, 66% of top executives, 34% of engineering students

– Must be encouraged to see the big picture, plan ahead, set goals

Problem Solving Behavior

Possibility-oriented people

– Generate ideas, don’t like to work on details, are not specific, do not stick to one issue

– Must be encouraged to work on details once decisions are made and let go of new idea generation

Problem Solving Behavior

Objective approach– Logical, data-based, analytical decision makers.

– 51% of American, 68% of engineering students, 95% of top executives.

– Must be encouraged to pay attention to gut feelings of other team members - feelings are often right and must be explored.

Problem Solving Behavior

Subjective approach

– Makes decisions based on gut feeling

– Must be reassured that their contribution is appreciated.

– Must be reassured that discussions about ideas are not personal attacks

Problem Solving Behavior

Decisive decision maker

– Makes decisions without stress. Jumps to conclusion quickly without thinking through

– Must be encouraged to express their decision making process. Let them organize data collection and review

– 50% of Americans, 64% of engineering students, and 88% of top executives.

Problem Solving Behavior

Flexible decision makers

– Finds sticking with decisions difficult, procrastinates, goes with the flow

– Must be encouraged to decide and live with it. Must be given time and deadline to decide. Must be helped by decisive decision makers

Creative Designers

Creative solution

– A solution that solves the problem and is original

Creative Designers

Creativity and other attributes

– Design-ability and intelligence

• No relationship – Design-ability and visualization ability

• Creative designers show high degree of ability to easily manipulate images in their minds.

Creative Designers

Creativity and other attributes

– Design-ability and knowledge

• To be creative in a specific domain, one must be knowledgeable in that domain. Otherwise ideas can not be adequately evaluated.

– Design-ability and risk taking• Better designs may be a result of seemingly

unworkable ideas. Take risk, experiment, explore, persist.

Creativity

Design-ability and conformity– Obstructive non-conformist: “It will not work”– Constructive non-conformist: “Here is a better idea”

Design-ability and technique – Good technique means seeking other alternatives and not giving

up easily

Design-ability and environment– How many truly creative designs have been accidentally

discovered?