Problem Solving Professor: Dr. Miguel Alonso Jr.

Outline Analytic and Creative Problem Solving Analytic Problem Solving Creative Problem Solving Personal Problem Solving Brainstorming Strategies Critical Thinking

Analytic and Creative Problem Solving Engineers fill different roles in daily practice These roles require very different problem solving abilities. Analytic Creative Analytic – one correct solution Creative – no single right answer

Example Ten steps to Design Identify the problem Define the working criteria Research and gather data Brainstorm for creative ideas Analyze Develop models and test Make the Decision Communicate and specify Implement and commercialize Prepare post-implementation review and assessment Design process as a whole is creative Analytic, however is also part of the process

Analytic Problem Solving The scientific method Define the problem Gather the facts Develop a hypothesis Perform a test Evaluate the results Steps can be repeated if the desired results are not achieved Process ends when an acceptable understanding of the phenomena has occured

In solving engineering problems, a similar method can be used Engineering Analytic Method Define the problem and make a problem statement Diagram and describe Apply theory and equations Simplify the assumptions Solve the necessary problems Verify the accuracy to the required level

Example 8.1 On simplifying assumptions Conservative Assumption Introduce errors on the safe side. Given the possibilities, which is the safest assumption? Time, Cost, Availability concerns

Example 8.2 On Accuracy of Verification Verification of result Estimate Solve a simpler problem Compare with similar solutions Compare to previous work Ask a more experienced engineer Compare to the literature Compare to your own experience Does it make sense? Repeat the calculation Simulate Calculate backwards Solutions should not exceed a factor of 10

Example 8.3

Creative problem solving Many engineering problems are open ended The method we will use is based on answering these five questions: What is wrong? What do we know? What is the real problem? What is the best solution? How do we implement the solution?

Example problem: Student that is getting low grades Pg 206 What’s wrong What do we know What is the real problem What is the best solution Implementing the solution Evaluating the solution

Example 8.4 and 8.5

Personal Problem solving styles Model that is previously mentioned is only one of the models Isaken and Treffinger model Dr. Min Basadur 1/Reading1/Basadur.html Assignment: Take the profile and prepare a one page summary on your personal problem solving style

Brainstorming Strategies Brainstorming is a technique used to stimulate as many innovative solutions as possible Goal is to stimulate your mind to trigger concepts or ideas that normal problem solving might miss Idea lists: Write down your current ideas then use these ideas to branch out to new ideas Words to help stimulate thinking S.C.A.M.P.E.R.

Substitute? Combine? Adapt? Modify, Minify, Magnify? Put to other uses? Eliminate? Reverse? Rearrange?

Individual or Group? Both are needed When working in groups Pick a facilitator Define the problem Select a small group Explain the process Record Ideas Involve everyone No evaluating Eliminate duplicates Pick three

Critical Thinking Not a blanket solution to problem solving Many issues are more complex and have no single solution Many cannot be solved Example: Marriage We need to critically determine which course of action to take