PROBLEM SOLVING Process and Technique

PROBLEM SOLVING

A systematic approach to defining the problem (question or situation that presents uncertainty, perplexity or difficulty) and creating a vast number of possible solutions without judging these solutions.

“Problem solving is a cognitive processing directed at achieving a goal where no solution method is obvious to the problem solver.”

SKILLS NEEDED FOR PROBLEM SOLVING

Making judgements Analytical Skills Critical Thinking Collecting Information Planning

PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS

STAGE ONE Define the Starting Issue(s)

Analyze the SituationDefine the

Problem

Objectives:

1. To analyze the facts.2. To define the problem

Understand the Issues

PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS

STAGE TWO

Find Solutions Generate Ideas

Evaluate IdeasMake Decisions

Objectives:

1. To generate ideas.2. To evaluate ideas.3. To decide on the best possible solution

PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS

STAGE THREEPlan Your Action Analyze the Impact

Plan Your Action

Plan the Follow-through

Objectives:

1. To determine the impact on people and systems.2. To build on action plan.3. To decide on follow-through.

INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING

1. Presenting yourself

• Eye Contact

• Good voice

2. I-talk• Convey displeasure• Unhappiness about the

situation

3. The Mary Poppins Rule“A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down”.

• Polite language

4. The Comic Parry (or keep it light)• Use of humor and wit in problem

situations

INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Problem sensitivity: Ability to be aware of problems that arise out of

social situations. A sensitivity to the kinds of social situations out

of which interpersonal difficulties may arise. Ability to examine relationships with others in

the here and now.

INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Alternative solution training: Ability to generate a wide variety of potential

solutions to the problem. Skill is to draw from a repertoire of ideas

representing differing categories of solutions to a given problem.

INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Brainstorming: The creative art of generating the greatest

number of ideas in the shortest possible time. Acceptance of every idea uncritically Aim for quantity not quality At this stage do not initiate any discussion List the ideas Set a time limit

INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Means-ends thinking: Ability to articulate the step by step means necessary

to carry out the solution to a given interpersonal problem.

Ability to recognize obstacles, the social sequences deriving from these solutions.

Recognition that interpersonal problem solving takes time.

INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Consequential thinking: Being aware of the consequences of social acts as

they affect self and others. Ability to generate alternative consequences to

potential problem solutions before acting.

INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Causal thinking: Reflects the degree of appreciation of social and

personal motivation. Involves the realization that how one felt and acted

may have been influenced by and, in turn, may have influenced how others felt and acted.

Left Brain

• Follows a logical pattern• Is objective, rather than

subjective• Views time chronologically, minute by minute, hour by hour

• Sees things as true or false, black or white• Seeks the detail, sees the trees rather than the forest

• Houses short-term memory• Thinks critically, perhaps

negatively, asks “why?”.EFFECTIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING

Right Brain

• Follows intuitive hunches• Creates patterns, without

following a step-by-step process

• Is subjective, rather than objective• Views time in a total sense – a lifetime, career, project• Sees the forest, rather than the trees• Thinks positively, unconstrained by preconceived ideas

• Asks “why not?”, breaks rules

EFFECTIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING