Scribd
Upload
1 views

Problem Solving

The document discusses the role of engineers as problem solvers, emphasizing that problem solving combines both art and science. It categorizes various types of problems engineers may face, including research, troubleshooting, and design, and outlines essential skills and methods for effective problem solving. The document also presents a structured approach for problem presentation, detailing steps for documentation and verification of solutions.

Uploaded by

www.dani2080
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
1 views

Problem Solving

The document discusses the role of engineers as problem solvers, emphasizing that problem solving combines both art and science. It categorizes various types of problems engineers may face, including research, troubleshooting, and design, and outlines essential skills and methods for effective problem solving. The document also presents a structured approach for problem presentation, detailing steps for documentation and verification of solutions.

Uploaded by

www.dani2080
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 14

Problem Solving

NGN110: Introduction to Engineering


and Computing

Dr. Fadi Aloul


Introduction

Engineers are Problem Solvers

Engineers must analyze and solve a wide range of


technical problems. Some will be reasonably simple
single-solution problems. Others will be open-ended
and will likely require a team of engineers from several
disciplines. Some problems may have no clear solution.

NGN110: Introduction to Engineering and Computing American University of Sharjah


Dr. Fadi Aloul Page 2
Art vs. Science

Judgment, Chemistry,
experience, physics,
common-sense, etc. math, etc.

Problem solving involves a combination of art and science

But, why is problem solving more art than science?


Because its difficult to teach an approach that will always
lead to a solution

NGN110: Introduction to Engineering and Computing American University of Sharjah


Dr. Fadi Aloul Page 3
Problems

 A problem is a situation, faced by an individual or group of


people, for which there is no obvious solution.

 Many types of problems exist


 Research
 Knowledge
 Troubleshooting
 Resource
 Social
 Design

NGN110: Introduction to Engineering and Computing American University of Sharjah


Dr. Fadi Aloul Page 4
Types of Problems

Research

Knowledge Research

Troubleshooting Require that a hypothesis


be proven or disproven
Resource
A scientist hears that
Social cellular phones may cause
brain cancer? Is this true?
Design

NGN110: Introduction to Engineering and Computing American University of Sharjah


Dr. Fadi Aloul Page 5
Types of Problems

Research
Knowledge
Knowledge
When a person encounters
Troubleshooting a situation that he doesn’t
understand
Resource
A civil engineer noticed that
Social concrete produced in the
winter is stronger than the
summer? Why?
Design

NGN110: Introduction to Engineering and Computing American University of Sharjah


Dr. Fadi Aloul Page 6
Types of Problems

Research
Troubleshooting
Knowledge
When equipment behaves
Troubleshooting in unexpected way

Resource
A computer engineer
notices that the PC reboots
Social whenever the DVD-writer
works
Design

NGN110: Introduction to Engineering and Computing American University of Sharjah


Dr. Fadi Aloul Page 7
Types of Problems

Research Resource

Knowledge Occur because there is


never enough time, money,
Troubleshooting people, or equipment to
accomplish the task
Resource
A chemical engineer who is
Social looking for an alternative
fuel to power cars than
gas. This may include
Design hydrogen, electricity, etc.

NGN110: Introduction to Engineering and Computing American University of Sharjah


Dr. Fadi Aloul Page 8
Types of Problems

Research
Social
Knowledge
Faced when the main goal
Troubleshooting is to improve a social
situation
Resource
An engineer develops a
Social training program that
improves the literacy of
factory workers
Design

NGN110: Introduction to Engineering and Computing American University of Sharjah


Dr. Fadi Aloul Page 9
Types of Problems

Research Design

Knowledge Heart of Engineering.


Needs creativity, team
work, and broad
Troubleshooting knowledge. The problem
must be specific.
Resource
If a client asks for a new
Social car. You will need to know
type, size, use, speed,
Design budget, etc before
designing the car

NGN110: Introduction to Engineering and Computing American University of Sharjah


Dr. Fadi Aloul Page 10
Problem Solving Skills

To become a good problem solver, the engineer must have:

Knowledge: acquired in school and on the job

Experience: to wisely apply knowledge

Learning: skills to acquire new knowledge

Motivation: to follow through on tough problems

Communication: to coordinate activities with teams

Leadership: to handle activities with teams

NGN110: Introduction to Engineering and Computing American University of Sharjah


Dr. Fadi Aloul Page 11
Engineering Method

1. Recognize and understand the problem


 Most difficult part of problem solving
 Often performed by manager (instructor in this course)
2. Accumulate data and verify accuracy
 Consider physical facts (e.g. temperature, pressure, size, etc.)
3. Select the appropriate theory or principles
 That applies to the solution of the problem
4. Make necessary assumptions
 Perfect solutions don’t exist; reduce accuracy by assumptions
5. Solve the problem
 Use appropriate theory or computers, etc.
6. Verify and check results
 Rework the problem to check correctness (check units)

NGN110: Introduction to Engineering and Computing American University of Sharjah


Dr. Fadi Aloul Page 12
Problem Presentation

 6 steps for reasonable documentation of solution:


 Problem Statement
• Clearly state what is to be determined
 Diagram
• Shows given/needed information
• Illustrates physical setup
• List data that cant be placed in a diagram separately
 Theory
• Used theory should be presented
• Equations, etc.
 Assumptions
• Explicitly list all assumptions
• Helps better understand the problem

NGN110: Introduction to Engineering and Computing American University of Sharjah


Dr. Fadi Aloul Page 13
Problem Presentation

 6 steps for reasonable documentation of solution:


 Solution Steps
• Show all steps taken in solving the problem
• Instructor judges the student mainly from this part
 Identify results and verify accuracy
• Double underline the final answer
• Assign proper units
• An answer without units is meaningless
• Examine answer
• Verify results

Check Example

NGN110: Introduction to Engineering and Computing American University of Sharjah


Dr. Fadi Aloul Page 14

You might also like