Problem Solving Techniques

1. PROBLEM SOLVING
Process and Technique

2. PROBLEM SOLVING
defining the
problem
(question or
situation that
presents
uncertainty,
perplexity or
difficulty) and
creating a vast
number of
possible
solutions
without judging
these solutions.
“Problem solving is a
cognitive processing
directed at achieving
a goal where no
solution method is
obvious to the
problem solver.”

3. SKILLS NEEDED FOR PROBLEM SOLVING
Making judgements
Analytical Skills
Critical Thinking
Collecting Information
Planning

4. PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS
STAGE ONE Define the Starting
Issue(s)
Analyze the Situation
Define the Problem
Objectives:
1. To analyze the facts.
2. To define the problem
Understand the Issues

5. PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS
STAGE TWO
Find Solutions
Generate Ideas
Evaluate Ideas
Make Decisions
Objectives:
1. To generate ideas.
2. To evaluate ideas.
3. To decide on the best possible
solution

6. PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS
STAGE THREE
Plan Your Action
Analyze the Impact
Plan Your Action
Plan the Follow-through
Objectives:
1. To determine the impact on
people and systems.
2. To build on action plan.
3. To decide on follow-through.

7. INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING
1. Presenting yourself
• Eye Contact
• Good voice
2. I-talk
• Convey displeasure
• Unhappiness about the
situation
3. The Mary Poppins Rule
“A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go
down”.
• Polite language
4. The Comic Parry (or keep it light)
• Use of humor and wit in problem
situations

8. INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
Problem sensitivity:
Ability to be aware of problems that arise out of
social situations.
A sensitivity to the kinds of social situations out of
which interpersonal difficulties may arise.
Ability to examine relationships with others in the
here and now.

9. INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
Alternative solution training:
Ability to generate a wide variety of potential
solutions to the problem.
Skill is to draw from a repertoire of ideas representing
differing categories of solutions to a given problem.

10. INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
Brainstorming:
The creative art of generating the greatest number
of ideas in the shortest possible time.
Acceptance of every idea uncritically
Aim for quantity not quality
At this stage do not initiate any discussion
List the ideas
Set a time limit

11. INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
Means-ends thinking:
Ability to articulate the step by step means necessary to
carry out the solution to a given interpersonal problem.
Ability to recognize obstacles, the social sequences
deriving from these solutions.
Recognition that interpersonal problem solving takes
time.

12. INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
Consequential thinking:
Being aware of the consequences of social acts as
they affect self and others.
Ability to generate alternative consequences to
potential problem solutions before acting.

13. INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
Causal thinking:
Reflects the degree of appreciation of social and
personal motivation.
Involves the realization that how one felt and acted may
have been influenced by and, in turn, may have
influenced how others felt and acted.

14. Left Brain
• Follows a logical pattern
• Is objective, rather than
subjective• Views time chronologically, minute
by minute, hour by hour• Sees things as true or false,
black or white
• Seeks the detail, sees the trees
rather than the forest
• Houses short-term memory
• Thinks critically, perhaps
negatively, asks “why?”.
EFFECTIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING

15. Right Brain
• Follows intuitive hunches
• Creates patterns, without following
a step-by-step process• Is subjective, rather than objective
• Views time in a total sense – a
lifetime, career, project• Sees the forest, rather than the
trees• Thinks positively, unconstrained
by preconceived ideas• Asks “why not?”, breaks rules
EFFECTIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING