How to problem solve

How to problem solve!

Open Ended

How do you think you solve a problem?

We need to use the 6 step Problem solving Process

1. Define the problem

2. Think of solutions

3. Narrow the solutions

4. Pick a solution

5. Try the solution

6. Relfect on the solution/outcome

Open Ended

It's time for lunch and I dont know what to eat first, Whats my problem?

What's the problem

• State the problem as clearly as possible. For example: “I don’t have enough money to pay the bills.”

• Be specific about the behaviour, situation, timing, and circumstances that make it a problem. For example: “I need to pay the phone and gas bills, and I don’t have enough money to cover both this month.”

Open Ended

Name a problem in your life

Multiple Choice

After we define or name the problem, what do we do next?

• think of the solutions for the problem

• solve the problem

Step 2: Generate possible solutions

• List all the possible solutions; don’t worry about the quality of the solutions at this stage.

• Try to list at least 15 solutions, be creative and forget about the quality of the solution.

• If you allow yourself to be creative you may come up with some solutions that you would not otherwise have thought about.

Open Ended

My problem is what do I want for lunch: Think of as MANY ideas about what I could have for lunch. (NOT JUST ONE IDEA)

Step 3- Narrow our choices

• The next step is to go through and eliminate less desirable or unreasonable solutions.

• Order the remaining solutions in order of preference.

• Evaluate the remaining solutions in terms of their advantages and disadvantages.

Sometimes

Depending on the problem. Sometimes we can pick the order of the things we need to accomplish in order to solve the problem.

Open Ended

I have chores to do and I have a guest coming over in 1 hour. Put these chores in an order that would be the best order for you. Laundry, dishes, vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom, making food.

Step 4- Pick a solution

  

• Specify who will take action.

• Specify how the solution will be implemented.

• Specify when the solution will be implemented. For example: tomorrow morning, phone the gas company and negotiate to pay the gas bill next month.

Sometimes

Doing nothing is a solution too. You either pick to do something or you choose to do nothing.

Multiple Choice

True or False: Picking nothing is a solution?

• True

• False

Step 5- After picking a solution

You have to use the solution. Act out the idea that you chose. If the problem was what do I eat for lunch and thought of McDonalds or Burger King. I would pick one of the resturantes.

Step 6- Think about it.

• Think about how effective the solution was.

• Decide whether the existing plan needs to be revised, or whether a new plan is needed to better address the problem.

• If you are not pleased with the outcome, return to step 2 to select a new solution or revise the existing solution, and repeat the remaining steps.

Reorder

What are the first 3 steps, in order?

• What's the problem?

• Think of solutions

• Narrow your choices

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3

Reorder

What are the last 3 steps?

• Pick a solution

• Use the solution

• Think about the choice you made

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3