1. Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
Business & Computer Science

2. Quotes from the Greats
“If I had an hour to solve a problem I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.”
Albert Einstein, Inventor
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”
Aristotle, Greek Philosopher

3. Problem Solving 4-Step Process
Process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues
Identify Problem
Create a Plan
Carry Out the Plan
Look Back (Reflect)

4. Step 1 – Identify Problem
In business, problems come from a variety of sources including competitors, customers, employees, and government regulations.
Some examples:
Competitors selling a similar product at a much lower cost
Customers complaining about the performance of a product
Employees wanting a higher wage for their work
Government regulations change the way you must do business

5. Step 2 – Create a Plan
Various methods can be used to create plans, with no single way being best or the only way
Sometimes management just tells employees what to do
Brainstorming is a popular method for beginning the creation process
Definition: process for generating creative ideas and solutions through interactive group discussions

6. Flowchart

7. Step 3 – Carry Out the Plan
Also known as implementation
Can be the most difficult step
People can be resistant to change
Sometimes an issue of resources

8. Step 4 – Look Back (Reflect)
Critical step for success
Most often overlooked step
Referred to as “Closing the Loop”
Identify Problem
Create a Plan
Carry Out the Plan
Look Back (Reflect)

9. Critical Thinking
The art of thinking about your thinking while you are thinking in order to make your thinking better: more clear, more accurate, or more defensible.

10. Cost-Benefit Analysis
Process used by business where all the benefits of a given situation are added up and then the costs associated with taking that action are subtracted

11. Examples of Cost-Benefit Analysis
Ford Pinto
Design flaw causing them to burst into flames when struck
Proposed wrongful death claims of $50 million
Proposed recall costs $138 million
Phillip Morris, Inc., RJ Reynolds, Brown & Williamson, & Lorillard
Spent years denying their product caused cancer
Internal documents showed that they knew
In 1998 agreed to pay $206 Billion over 25 years

12. Cause & Effect Causation Correlation
when one action directly causes another action
a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things

13. Your Personal Rationale
What is it? A set of reasons or a logical basis for a course of action or a particular belief.
Consider why you believe what you believe
Evaluate your sources and their validity
Don’t operate on prejudice
Use sound reasoning

14. To thine own self be true.
Shakespeare Hamlet Act 1, scene 3
The End