1. S.T.A.I.R CSCI N207 Data Analysis Using Spreadsheet Lingma Acheson
Department of Computer and Information Science, IUPUI

2. Problem Solving Technique
Fundamental
When you get stuck …
When things go wrong …

3. What is STAIR?
A problem solving strategy developed by faculty members here at the CS department
Can be applied to a range of problems, e.g. real life problems, computer problems.

4. What does STAIR stand for?
S – State the problem
T – Tools
A – Algorithm (ideas, plans, design
charts, methods)
I – Implementation (steps, actions)
R – Refinement

5. Examples A real life example Your example? My car broke S – T – A –

6. Examples (2) Computer problems
My boss asked me to give him a quarterly sales report.
I’d like to create my own web pages.

7. Why do we need STAIR? The challenge of computers
Computers are not single tasked
Can do many things (Word, , game, video…)
Changing pace of technology
Hardware changes
Software upgrades
Challenge of software diversity
Do one thing in many different ways, which software to choose?

8. STAIR Is An Art
Problem solving can be seen as more of an art than a science
Each person has different ways of approaching and solving problems
Plan for complicated problems
Give you a framework to start with and to fall back on when you are stuck

9. STAIR Is An Art Skilled computer users are skilled problem solvers
They rely on their ability to solve new problems and find answers independently than on previous knowledge of the commands of an application program

10. S - State the Problem
Seems obvious enough, but often the one people skip
We frequently start solving problems before we really think carefully about what problem we are trying to solve
Take the time to describe carefully to yourself what you are trying to accomplish
Be clean and concise
Be complete

11. S - State the Problem
Avoid the temptation to phrase the problem in technical terms
Use simple English
Use whatever you need to make sure you have a firm understanding of your problem
Write down the problem
Make a diagram or flowchart
Draw a sketch
Usually the hardest step!
Quarterly sales report: What is the problem?

12. T – Tools for the Job A tool can be anything Identify some tools
Commands
Button on a toolbar
Programs
People
Resources
Identify some tools
List all potential tools
New tools can be added as your gain experience
Be imaginative!

13. T – Tools for the Job Know your tools well
Have a strong general knowledge about how computers work and what they can and what they can’t do
Know the main types of applications that are used
Know what features they can expect to find within an application
Quarterly sales report: What tools do you need?

14. A – Algorithm Development
Computer word for plan/strategy
Re-state of problem in terms of tools –
how to use tools
List of steps
What to do in each step
Can be as simple as one sentence for less complex problems or a complete action plan for more complex problems
Quarterly sales report: What’s your plan?

15. I – Implementation of the Algorithm
Just do it!
Translate algorithm into action
The easiest step!
Quarterly sales report: Time to use the computer!

16. R – Refinement It never goes right the first time
Quarterly sales report: Why my boss don’t like it?
Look back over previous steps and analyze what happened
Did you define the problem properly?
Did you choose the right tool? Have you used all the possible tools?
Is your algorithm correct? Did you choose the best algorithm?
Did you implement the solution properly?
Fix problems and try again

17. R – Refinement
Each unsuccessful attempt should bring you closer to an understanding of the problem and its solution
Practice makes you much more confident

18. STAIR Revisit
State the problem – Define with words, sketches or other means
Tools – Identify commands, programs, resources that can help you solve the problem
Algorithm – Come up with an action plan
Implementation – Carry out the action plan
Refinement – Make it better