Transcript COLL 148 Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Problem Solving
Panther Prep
North Central High School
Quote
“Shall we flip a coin?”
Maybe not—50% of the time you may
lose!
Heuristics
A heuristic is a general guide to solving
a problem.
Heuristics are rules of thumb, not
guaranteed to work perfectly but will
often dramatically increase the odds of
a successful solution.
Example: the process one goes through
when buying a car.
A Six-Step Problem Solving
Heuristic
 Research and
define the problem
 Decide on the best
solution
 Determine the
cause(s) of the
problem
 Implement the
solution
 Generate solutions
for the problem
 Evaluate the
solution
Step 1: Research and Define
the Problem
Thoroughly familiarize oneself with the
situation and its possible causes
Ask questions: have we encountered
this problem before?
Research using the Internet, local news
sources, and personal interviews.
Present State/Desired State
Present State
Desired State
I weigh 170 lbs.
I weigh 150 lbs
(stated in present
tense)
Step 2: Determine the
Cause(s) of the Problem
A Trouble-Shooting Analysis (TSA) can
sharpen the determination of causes.
What is or what is not causing the
problem?
Once the problem-solver decides on the
cause of the problem, he/she needs to
check her conclusions against the TSA
questions.
Step 3: Generating Solutions
Research is the best way to generate
solutions
Try brainstorming: use the “brain” to
create a “storm” of ideas” – Alex
Osborne, early 1900s
Try “random simulation”: break out of
linear thinking by thinking of related
ideas to randomly generated words
Step 3: Generating Solutions
(cont’d)
Try “futuring”: imagine that you are in the
future, where anything is possible. It may
yield impossible-sounding ideas that are
indeed possible.
Try Other People’s Views (OPV): Think about
the problem from another person’s Point of
View.
Try a Graphic Organizer: a graphic method
for organizing and displaying a list of
possibilities
4. Decide on the Best Solution
The alternatives to solve the problem must be
analyzed in detail to determine the best
solution
Reconsider some of the ideas generated in
defining the problem and identifying its
causes
Try the Wants/Needs Analysis (WNA):
defining the key criteria for your choices and
then measuring the alternatives against the
criteria
4. Decide on the Best Solution
WNA
– List key criteria or measures of
effectiveness
• Generate a short list of “must” criteria
• For an alternative to pass through the “must”
filter—it must meet or exceed requirements
– Ex. Buying a new house—list essential qualities
house must have
4. Decide on the Best Solution
WNA
– Then generate a list of desirable but not
essential features— “want” criteria
• Desirable, but not a deal breaker if absent
• Grading scale that permits comparison
MUSTS
1316
7623 4723
Elm St. Hardy Main
Ave.
2149
Dunlap
Ave.
5272 E.
Hens-ridge
1. The house
must cost less
than $200,000
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
2. The house
must have at
least 4 bed
rooms
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
3. The house
must have at
least a 2-car
garage
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
4. House must
have at least 2
full bathrooms
Yes
Yes
No
No
Wants
Importance= I
Satisfaction = S
1.
I
1-10
S
0-10
1316 Elm
St.
I x S= pts
S
0-10
2149
Dunlap Av
I x S = pts
Jacuzzi
7
8
56
6
42
2. Fireplace
3
7
21
0
0
3. Swimming
Pool
9
8
72
8
72
4. Picket Fence
7
0
0
9
63
5. Friendly
neighbors
8
6
48
8
64
6. Park nearby
5
3
15
2
10
Total (I x S)
score
221
251
4. Decide on the Best Solution
Choose the best alternative that you
can live with!
– You can decide differently than a heuristic
recommends
Next, be ready to follow through with
your decision…
5. Implement the Solution
An essential part of solving the problem
is listing the series of specific steps to
make it happen and then carrying them
out
– Flowcharts can help depict the sequence
of steps
5. Implement the Solution
The Contingency Plan
– Helps you anticipate what might go wrong
in the implementation process
– List all possible problems, their causes,
and possible effects
– Develop a Plan A and a Plan B for fallback
measures
6. Evaluate the Solution
Have I really solved the original
problem, and I have done so in the best
way?
Seek feedback to help with this process
Develop a check-up schedule to inspect
and monitor the problem solution