Applicate english when

solving a problem

Windy freska, Ns S.kep

Problem Solving
 Objectives
Learn how to state and clarify a problem
Develop a procedure for problem solving
Learn the traps
in problem solving
 What’s typical?
Self-Doubt
Over Confidence

Procrastination

Flip-flops

Desperation!
WRONG!
Six Criteria for Effective Decisions

Focuses on what is important

 Logical and consistent
 Acknowledges objective and subjective
factors, blends analytical and intuitive
thinking
Does not gather too much information
 Tries to reach consensus
 Straightforward, reliable, easy to use,
flexible
 Problem Solving Steps
State the problem carefully
 Acknowledge complexities
 Avoid assumptions and prejudices
Specify the objectives
 Create imaginative alternatives
 Understand the consequences of the
alternative
 Grapple with your tradeoffs………con’t
Problem Solving Steps, con’t

Clarify uncertainties
 Think about your risk tolerance and the
risks of each alternative
 Consider linked decisions
Each alternative opens or closes future options
What’s the best solution?
A good solution
to a well-posed Is a
problem…. almost
always
a smarter An excellent
choice solution to a
than.. poorly posed
problem
 What Objectives Do
Help determine what information
to seek
 Explain your choices to others
 Determine the importance of,
time and effort devoted to the
problem
 How to identify objectives
 Write down the concerns you hope to
address:
 Wish list
 Worst possible outcome
 Impact on others
 Insights from others
 What’s a good alternative but unfeasible?
 What is bad about the worst alternatives?
 Alternatives
Use your objects and ask HOW?
 Challenge constraints to your alternatives
 Set high aspirations
Think through your alternatives before
consulting others
 Learn from past experience
 Then ask others for suggestions
How to generate alternatives
 Brainstorming
Just list alternatives, don’t evaluate
Never stop looking for alternatives
 Look for win-win alternatives
Stop when you’ve thought through
alternatives
 One solution would satisfy you
 But still have a range of alternatives