Lecture 2 problem solving strategies

4006ME Engineering Problem Solving

Lecture 2 – Problem Solving Techniques and strategies

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Today’s Lecture

• Problem Solving Heuristics

• Effective Problem Solvers

• Working in Teams

• Gathering Information

PROBLEM SOLVING HEURISTICS

Part 1:

Heuristic????

• Heuristic - a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem

Problem Solving Heuristics

• Analogous to a road map

• A systematic approach to problem solving

• Guides through solution process

• Ensures uniform approach

Problem Solving Heuristic – Five Steps

• 1.Define the real problem

• 2.Generate Solutions

• 3.Decide on the course of action

• 4.Implement the solution

• 5.Evaluate the solution

What’s The Disease?

1.Define the real problem

• Gather information

• Define the problem from information found

• Ask these questions:• Has it been solved before?• Is it worth solving?• What resources are available in solution of

the problem?

2. Generate solutions

• Use brainstorming, analogy and other techniques to generate ideas with impunity.

• Consider what is and what is not possible.

3. Decide on a course of action

• Decide on which problems to address first and what actions need to be taken to address the problem

• Select the best solution from the possible alternatives

• Decide how to avoid problems as we implement the solution

4. Implement the solution

• Plan activities you need to solve the problem.

• Allocate time and resources in order to carry the solution through to successful completion.

5. Evaluate the solution

• Consider the final solution in terms of the original problem.

• Were all the problems really solved?• Did you implement the best solution?• Did you violate any of the restraints?• Is the solution new or novel or just a re-hash of an

existing• solution?• Is the solution safe, ethical and socially responsible?

EFFECTIVE PROBLEM SOLVERS

Part 2:

Effective Problem Solvers.........

Effective Problem Solvers.........

• Tackle the problem aggressively

• Are concerned with accuracy

• Persist, ask questions (of themselves and others)

• Sketch and draw figures

• Take time to understand the facts and the relationships surrounding the problem

Attitudes and Actions

• Believe in themselves• Are proactive in solving the problem• Ask questions• Reread and re-frame the problem statement• Don’t jump to conclusions• Create a mental picture• Sketch, draw, write down facts, discover

underlying theories / equations

Solutions and Accuracy

• Keep track of progress• Break larger problems into sub-problems• Start off where they understand• Use key concepts as building blocks• Use heuristics• Persevere when stuck• Quantify using formula and descriptions / images• Check and re-check• Validate assumptions

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

• 1. Be proactive: take the initiative, work on things you can do something about, admit mistakes and move on.

• 2. Begin with the end in mind: Know where you want to be, identify how you will accomplish it.

• 3. Put first things first: List your top priorities, schedule and work on them. Say “no” to unimportant tasks. Stay focussed.

• 4. Think win/win: Identify key issues and results that would constitute a fully acceptable solution to all. Get everyone involved in the decision and committed to the plan of action

• 5. Listen: Try to see the problem from the other person’s perspective. Present logically, not emotionally.

• 6. Synergise: Make the whole greater than the sum of the parts Foster open and honest communication.

• 7. Practice renewal: Physical (exercise), Mental (reading), Spiritual (commitment / meditation), Social/emotional (self-esteem, empathy)

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, COPYRIGHT, 1989 by Covey, Stephen R

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

WORKING IN TEAMSPart 3:

Bruce Tuckman’s research identifies 4 stages of team

development:

• Forming: Introductions, group goals, ground rules, initial discussions about the problem.

• Storming: Chaos. Lots of talking, little listening, no shared vision, little progress. Disagreements will occur – encourage constructive controversy. Don’t get personal

• Norming: Team gels, a shared vision is created. Tasks mapped to timetable. Good communications ensue.

• Performing: Progress is seen on project objectives, creative brainstorming develops, ideas (rather than personal agendas) are debated. The team takes pride in its work and output.

Your past experience, biggest problem working as a team.......

Top Ten – Group Problems

Problem How to minimise

1.Floundering Make sure the mission is clear and everyone understands what is needed to move forward

2.Overbearing experts Have an agreement among the team members that there are no sacred cows and that all team members have the right to explore all areas

3.Dominating Participants List ‘balance of participation’ as a goal and evaluate regularly. Practice ‘gate keeping’ to limit dominant participation

4.Reluctant Participants Ask opinions of quiet members and encourage by validation. Require individual assignments and reports

Taken from: Scholtes, Peter R., The Team Handbook, Joiner Associates, Inc., Madison, WI. 1988



5.Unquestioned acceptance of opinion Ask for supporting data and reasoning. Accept and encourage conflicting ideas

6.Rush to accomplishment Confront those doing the rushing and remind them not to compromise the best solution. Make sure a consensus is reached

7.Attribution of motives to others Reaffirm agreement that the group sticks to the scientific approach. Ask for confirmation of data.

8.Discounting or ignoring a group members statement

Provide training in effective listening. Support the discounted person. Talk off line with anyone who continually discounts other team members




9.Wanderlust: digression and tangents Follow an agenda with time estimates, Keep the topics in full view of the team and direct the conversation back to the topic

10.Feuding team members Focus on ideas, not personalities. Get adversaries to discuss issues off-line or get them to agree to a standard of behaviour during meetings


GATHERING INFORMATIONPart 4:

Collect and analyse information

• Write down everything you can think of to

• describe the problem.

• Determine which information you have and which is missing.

• Make a simple sketch of the situation.

• Tabulate or graph available data

Talk to people

• Find out who knows about the problem and ask questions:• Look beyond the obvious• When and how the problem occurred• Ask for clarification• Challenge explanations as to the cause

(suspend judgement)• Separate facts from opinion

View the problem firsthand

• Talking to people alone is not as good as witnessing something for yourself

• Or try to recreate the problem if seeing the problem firsthand is not possible

Confirm key findings

• Verify the information you’ve collected

• Confirm all important pieces of information

• Search for biases or miss-representation of facts

• Challenge assumptions and assertions

Don’t stop!

• Continue to gather information throughout the problem-solving process

• Read any and all literature around the subject

• Learn about the underlying principles and any peripheral concepts

• Maybe the problem’s been solved before?

Finally

• “4 - 5 weeks in the lab can save you an hour in the library” – George Quarderer, Dow Chemical Co.

Education

Lecture 2 problem solving strategies