MILITARY

PROBLEM
SOLVING PROCESS

INSTRUCTOR CPT
REINHARD
PURPOSE

 To define the 7 steps of the

Military Problem Solving
Process
 To describe some of the
Road Blocks to problem
solving
solving
COMBAT LEADER TEAM
REFERENCES

 FM 22-100 Army
Leadership
 FM 101-5 Staff
Organization and
Operations (Chapter 5)
COMBAT LEADER TEAM
OUTLINE
 Problem Solving Steps
 Practical Exercise
 Road Blocks to Problem
Solving
 Summary
 Conclusion

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

PROBLEM
SOLVING
PROCESS
 1. Recognize And Define The Problem
 2. Gather Facts And Make
Assumptions
 3. Define End States And Establish
Criteria
 4. Develop Possible Solutions
 5. Analyze And Compare Possible
Solutions
COMBAT LEADER
 6. Select AndTEAM
Implement Solution
#1 WHAT IS THE
PROBLEM?

What must be done?

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

#2 FACTS &
ASSUMPTIONS
 Facts- Statements about the
problem known to be true or
there is positive proof.
 Assumptions- Statement used
to replace necessary but
missing or unknown facts.
COMBAT LEADER TEAM
#3 DEFINE END STATE
AND ESTABLISH CRITERIA

 End States identify goals and

objectives
 Criteria
• Selection- used to gather valid
solution
• Evaluation- used to compare
COMBAT LEADER TEAM
solutions
POSSIBLE
SOLUTIONS

 Brain Storming

 Mind Mapping

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

#5 ANALYZE AND
COMPARE POSSIBLE
SOLUTIONS

 Use predetermined evaluation

criteria

 Go back to “Facts and

Assumptions” or “Establish

Criteria” if necessary
COMBAT LEADER TEAM
#6 SELECT AND
IMPLEMENT THE BEST
SOLUTION

 Make the decision

 Acceptable, Feasible, and

Suitable

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

#7 ANALYZE
SOLUTION FOR
EFFECTIVENESS

 May take time

 AAR

 If it works, pass it
on!
COMBAT LEADER TEAM
PRACTICAL EXERCISE

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

PROBLEM
SOLVING
PROCESS
 1. Recognize And Define The Problem
 2. Gather Facts And Make
Assumptions
 3. Define End States And Establish
Criteria
 4. Develop Possible Solutions
 5. Analyze And Compare Possible
Solutions
COMBAT LEADER
 6. Select AndTEAM
Implement Solution
ROAD BLOCKS TO
PROBLEM SOLVING
 Fear Of Failure  Binding Customs
 Tunnel Vision  Fear Of The
 Over Seriousness Unknown

 Over Certainty  Command

Pressure

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

ROAD BLOCKS TO
PROBLEM SOLVING
(cont.)
 FAILURE TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY THE
PROBLEM
 FAILURE TO TALK WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE
DEALT WITH THE PROBLEM
 LACK OF ADEQUATE INFORMATION TO
MAKE VALID ASSUMPTIONS
 NOT IDENTIFYING ALL OF THE PLAYERS
 NOT SPECIFYING THE DESIRED ENDSTATE

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

SUMMARY

 Problem Solving
Steps
 Practical Exercise
 Road Blocks to
Problem Solving

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

 S ?
O N
T I
E S
Q U

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

CONCLUSION

The goal is to have high-

quality, acceptable decisions
made in combat and training
situations. The Military
Problem Solving Process helps
leaders face complex problems
in situations where
information might be limited.
COMBAT LEADER TEAM