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Career Skills Library: Problem Solving, Third Edition
Developing and understanding different methods of tackling problems is an essential career skill. Problem Solving, Third Edition teaches readers how to become a problem solver, a valuable and highly sought person in today's complicated workforce. This new edition illustrates the difference between scientific and creative problem-solving techniques and outlines a five-step approach to dealing with dilemmas that students can apply to almost any situation. A new appendix of helpful Web sites has been added as well as true-or-false quizzes in each chapter. Chapters -The Problem Solver in You -Using Scientific Thinking to Solve Problems -Using Creative Thinking to Solve Problems -Obstacles to Problem Solving -Identify and Define the Problem -Define Goals and Objectives -Generate Solutions -Develop a Plan of Action -Follow Through -Decision Making.
186 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2009
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May 13, 2011Ferguson Career Skills Library – Problem Solving – 3rd
The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it – Alan Saporta
Problem Solving
• Learn to avoid negative problem-solving behaviors
• Use analytical and critical thinking (left-brain activities) to analyze and solve problems scientifically
• Solve problems creatively by brain-storming, asking questions, approach problems from odd angles, note-taking and visualizing – all right brain activities.
• Solve problems with the Problem-Solving Process, which involves the following 5 steps:
1. Identify and define problems as people, organizational, mechanical, or many-sided in nature.
2. Define goals and objectives
3. Generate solutions by using brainstorming techniques such as word association, clustering and freewriting
4. Develop a plan of action
5. Follow through on a problem-solving plan by planning for contingencies, troubleshooting, learning from mistakes, and maintaining flexibility as you are solving the problem
• Apply problem-solving skills to the decision-making process
Employee approaches to problems
JR Richmond divides would-be problem solvers into 5 groups:
1. Not My Problem – these employees ignore customer and company problems as if those problems didn’t touch them personally. If they do manage to get a job, they probably won’t keep it long.
2. Don’t Ask Me – Some people can’t do simple calculations, keep a checkbook or a receipt record, or do basic math. Few employers have the time or means to teach these basic skills.
3. What Now? – Some well-meaning employees can’t seem to mature into independent problem solvers. can’t seem to mature into independent problem solvers. They don’t trust their own judgment. As a result, they bother somebody every two minutes with a problem too big for them to handle. These employees don’t change their ways and take personal responsibility for decision making, they may annoy themselves out of a job.
4. Straight Liner–Straight liners know how to solve straightforward problems. They can do math and calculations and may be highly skilled professionals. But if the situation requires a new solution or any creativity, they cannot handle it. They may keep their job and find a comfortable place in the company. But they shouldn’t expect to advance to high levels of management.
5. Creative Problem Solver – Businesses will always have spots for people who can use their creativity to solve problems. Creative problem solvers make themselves irreplaceable.
Type of Problem Solver Approach to Problems How to improve Problem-Solving Skills
Not My Problem These employees ignore customer and company problems as if those problems didn’t touch them personally. If they do manage to get a job, they probably won’t keep it long.
Pay attention to the needs of your customers, coworkers, and managers. Consider their problems your problems and work to help them find solutions.
Don’t Ask Me
Some people can’t do simple calculations, keep a checkbook or a receipt record, or do basic math. Few employers have the time or means to teach these basic skills.
Learn every skill that comes along. Teach yourself new tasks, techniques, and software programs by studying books, pamphlets, and websites, as well as asking for help from friends and coworkers.
What Now?
Some well-meaning employees can’t seem to mature into independent problem solvers. can’t seem to mature into independent problem solvers. They don’t trust their own judgment. As a result, they bother somebody every two minutes with a problem too big for them to handle. These employees don’t change their ways and take personal responsibility for decision making, they may annoy themselves out of a job.
Take responsibility for decision-making in your life. Build confidence by tackling smaller problems on your own; then gradually increase the complexity of problems that you tackle until you become a n independent problem solver.
Straight Liner Straight liners know how to solve straightforward problems. They can do math and calculations and may be highly skilled professionals. But if the situation requires a new solution or any creativity, they cannot handle it. They may keep their job and find a comfortable place in the company. But they shouldn’t expect to advance to high levels of management.
Try to expand your creative abilities by brainstorming. Learning to be flexible with new ideas and concepts will help you tackle more challenging problems.
Creative Problem Solver Businesses will always have spots for people who can use their creativity to solve problems. Creative problem solvers make themselves irreplaceable.
Continue to tackle problems head-on. Remember to continue to treat all of your company’s problems as your own, to hone your professional skills and education, to independently tackle problems, and to think “outside the box.”
Problem solving begins with clear thinking.
2 varieties
---Scientific
---Creative
Scientific Thinking – logical – critical – analytical – convergent –straight-line – predictable; follows certain rules of logic from Point A to Point B to Point C.
Creative Thinking –inspirational – divergent – insightful – exploratory – unpredictable; provides new answers to old problems.
Brain has two sides
Left and Right Brain Comparisons
Left Brain – analytic thinking or logic – well-ordered steps - numbers and words Right Brain – creativity and art - operates on images and impressions
(Table didn't copy)
Critical thinking/scientific thinking – 4 steps
1. Identify the problem and break it down
2. Collect information/perform research
3. Form opinions (hypotheses)
4. Draw conclusions
Richard Paul’S book, Critical thinking: how to prepare students for a rapidly changing world, breaks the Socratic Method into 6 types of questions:
1. Questions of clarification
2. Questions that probe assumptions
3. Questions that probe reasons and evidence
4. Questions about viewpoints or perspectives
5. Questions that probe implications and consequences
6. Questions about the question
For a more detailed list of questions go to : http://www-ed.fnal.gov/trc/tutorial/t...
How to develop scientific thinking skills
--Take more math classes
--Take more science classes
--Start budgeting your personal finances
--Practice critical thinking skills each time have a problem to solve
Creative Thinking – explores the possibilities
Examines the problem from as many angles as is possible
Provides multiple answers
Think “outside the box”
Dream
Brainstorming
Ask questions
Approach a problem from an unusual angle--Turn things upside down
Carry around a notebook to capture creative ideas
Visualizing – visualize the finished picture -
Think outside the dots
Draw 9 dots – 3 rows of 3
Without lifting your pencil – draw 4 straight lines to connect the dots.
Most people cannot solve the dot problem
The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it – Alan Saporta
Problem Solving
• Learn to avoid negative problem-solving behaviors
• Use analytical and critical thinking (left-brain activities) to analyze and solve problems scientifically
• Solve problems creatively by brain-storming, asking questions, approach problems from odd angles, note-taking and visualizing – all right brain activities.
• Solve problems with the Problem-Solving Process, which involves the following 5 steps:
1. Identify and define problems as people, organizational, mechanical, or many-sided in nature.
2. Define goals and objectives
3. Generate solutions by using brainstorming techniques such as word association, clustering and freewriting
4. Develop a plan of action
5. Follow through on a problem-solving plan by planning for contingencies, troubleshooting, learning from mistakes, and maintaining flexibility as you are solving the problem
• Apply problem-solving skills to the decision-making process
Employee approaches to problems
JR Richmond divides would-be problem solvers into 5 groups:
1. Not My Problem – these employees ignore customer and company problems as if those problems didn’t touch them personally. If they do manage to get a job, they probably won’t keep it long.
2. Don’t Ask Me – Some people can’t do simple calculations, keep a checkbook or a receipt record, or do basic math. Few employers have the time or means to teach these basic skills.
3. What Now? – Some well-meaning employees can’t seem to mature into independent problem solvers. can’t seem to mature into independent problem solvers. They don’t trust their own judgment. As a result, they bother somebody every two minutes with a problem too big for them to handle. These employees don’t change their ways and take personal responsibility for decision making, they may annoy themselves out of a job.
4. Straight Liner–Straight liners know how to solve straightforward problems. They can do math and calculations and may be highly skilled professionals. But if the situation requires a new solution or any creativity, they cannot handle it. They may keep their job and find a comfortable place in the company. But they shouldn’t expect to advance to high levels of management.
5. Creative Problem Solver – Businesses will always have spots for people who can use their creativity to solve problems. Creative problem solvers make themselves irreplaceable.
Type of Problem Solver Approach to Problems How to improve Problem-Solving Skills
Not My Problem These employees ignore customer and company problems as if those problems didn’t touch them personally. If they do manage to get a job, they probably won’t keep it long.
Pay attention to the needs of your customers, coworkers, and managers. Consider their problems your problems and work to help them find solutions.
Don’t Ask Me
Some people can’t do simple calculations, keep a checkbook or a receipt record, or do basic math. Few employers have the time or means to teach these basic skills.
Learn every skill that comes along. Teach yourself new tasks, techniques, and software programs by studying books, pamphlets, and websites, as well as asking for help from friends and coworkers.
What Now?
Some well-meaning employees can’t seem to mature into independent problem solvers. can’t seem to mature into independent problem solvers. They don’t trust their own judgment. As a result, they bother somebody every two minutes with a problem too big for them to handle. These employees don’t change their ways and take personal responsibility for decision making, they may annoy themselves out of a job.
Take responsibility for decision-making in your life. Build confidence by tackling smaller problems on your own; then gradually increase the complexity of problems that you tackle until you become a n independent problem solver.
Straight Liner Straight liners know how to solve straightforward problems. They can do math and calculations and may be highly skilled professionals. But if the situation requires a new solution or any creativity, they cannot handle it. They may keep their job and find a comfortable place in the company. But they shouldn’t expect to advance to high levels of management.
Try to expand your creative abilities by brainstorming. Learning to be flexible with new ideas and concepts will help you tackle more challenging problems.
Creative Problem Solver Businesses will always have spots for people who can use their creativity to solve problems. Creative problem solvers make themselves irreplaceable.
Continue to tackle problems head-on. Remember to continue to treat all of your company’s problems as your own, to hone your professional skills and education, to independently tackle problems, and to think “outside the box.”
Problem solving begins with clear thinking.
2 varieties
---Scientific
---Creative
Scientific Thinking – logical – critical – analytical – convergent –straight-line – predictable; follows certain rules of logic from Point A to Point B to Point C.
Creative Thinking –inspirational – divergent – insightful – exploratory – unpredictable; provides new answers to old problems.
Brain has two sides
Left and Right Brain Comparisons
Left Brain – analytic thinking or logic – well-ordered steps - numbers and words Right Brain – creativity and art - operates on images and impressions
(Table didn't copy)
Critical thinking/scientific thinking – 4 steps
1. Identify the problem and break it down
2. Collect information/perform research
3. Form opinions (hypotheses)
4. Draw conclusions
Richard Paul’S book, Critical thinking: how to prepare students for a rapidly changing world, breaks the Socratic Method into 6 types of questions:
1. Questions of clarification
2. Questions that probe assumptions
3. Questions that probe reasons and evidence
4. Questions about viewpoints or perspectives
5. Questions that probe implications and consequences
6. Questions about the question
For a more detailed list of questions go to : http://www-ed.fnal.gov/trc/tutorial/t...
How to develop scientific thinking skills
--Take more math classes
--Take more science classes
--Start budgeting your personal finances
--Practice critical thinking skills each time have a problem to solve
Creative Thinking – explores the possibilities
Examines the problem from as many angles as is possible
Provides multiple answers
Think “outside the box”
Dream
Brainstorming
Ask questions
Approach a problem from an unusual angle--Turn things upside down
Carry around a notebook to capture creative ideas
Visualizing – visualize the finished picture -
Think outside the dots
Draw 9 dots – 3 rows of 3
Without lifting your pencil – draw 4 straight lines to connect the dots.
Most people cannot solve the dot problem
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