Today’s Journal Question

What did you learn about the inventor you chose to research? Were there any interesting facts that you were unaware of before the assignment?

The Problem Solving Model

Problem-Solving Process

Involves 3 stagesProblem Finding

Idea Finding

Solution Finding

It requires creative-thinking skills and critical-thinking skills

The Creative Problem-Solving Process

Problem Finding

Try to determine the problem by gathering observations, feelings, and impressions about the situation

Attitudes – very important because they influence how the problem is perceived

Fact-find also importantFacts help define the problem and may provide information to be used for solution

Idea Finding

Try to come up with different ways of solving the problem

Creativity is the key

Some ideas may be absurd, but do not dismiss any alternative

All ideas to be evaluated – sometimes the craziest ideas lead to the best ventures

Ex. Pet Rock

Solution Finding

When the ideas created are evaluated – must establish the criteria that will be used to evaluate each option

Criteria: standards used to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each idea

Ideas that do not meet criteria are tossed out – remaining ideas are ranked

Try the solutionSolution not what was expected? Try again

5 Steps

1) Define the problem – What is it?

2) Generate alternative solutions (min. 3) – be creative

3) Generate advantages and disadvantages for each solution gernerated in step 2

4) Rank you solutions

5) Select a solution. Why?

ExampleSo you’ve opened up a coffee shop in your neighborhood. You’re excited because you believe your coffee is great but also because you’re invested in the neighborhood. Your coffee shop has an intimate feel about it.

Six months later business is okay. Not great, but okay. And what you know is that there is great potential, great promise in what you are doing.

Just when you are settling in and getting the hang of doing business in your neighborhood you learn that Starbucks is moving in around the corner. This can’t be good, you think. I can’t keep up with them. They know what they are doing, their brand is established, and they have a lot of money to back their new start-up.

If you are the owner of the small coffee shop trying to make it in the neighborhood and Starbucks moves in almost next door, what would you do?

Let’s Work Together

Step 1 – Define the problem

Problem: Starbucks is moving close to your location, fear of losing business because they are an established business

Step 2 – Generate Alternate Solutions

1) Mascot handing out Flyers - coupons

2) Reduce price of specific items – coffee, tea

3) Live Entertainment

4) Change location

Step 3 – Generate Advantages and Disadvantages

1) Flyers/Coupons:Pros: People love coupons – save money

Spread word of business – more interaction with potential customers

Online flyers/coupons – Facebook, Twitter, webpage

Cons: Flyers – thrown in garbage, Starbucks could match coupons

Cost of hiring employee, and costume rental

Cost of advertising online, cost of website

Pro: more business

More money spent on snacks, lunch, food

Word of mouth of price discount

Cons: less money for coffee bought

Potential that food may not be purchased

Pro: More social

Attracts customers

Atmosphere - more fun, more comfortable, more relaxing

Cons: Cost of paying entertainers

Selection might not be appealing

Might come for entertainment but not buy anything

Only for evenings and night time

Pro: Fresh start – new customers

No new competition

Con: Costs to move and start over

Harder to establish new customers

Step 4 – Rank your solutions

4) Change location

3) Live Entertainment

2) Flyers/Coupons

1) Reduce price for coffee

Step 5 – Select a Solution and describe why

Paper Airplane Problem-Solving Activity