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Problem Solving Skills

The document discusses problem solving skills and creative thinking. It outlines the objectives of defining creative problem solving, exploring ways to be more creative, and learning the steps of the creative problem solving process. It then defines creative problem solving as looking at problems in a different way than others. It also discusses potential mental blocks to creative thinking and lists some common ones. Finally, it outlines the seven steps of the creative problem solving process and introduces tools like brainstorming, mind mapping, and multivoting that can be used to solve problems in a creative manner.

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Desiree White
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437 views28 pages

Problem Solving Skills

The document discusses problem solving skills and creative thinking. It outlines the objectives of defining creative problem solving, exploring ways to be more creative, and learning the steps of the creative problem solving process. It then defines creative problem solving as looking at problems in a different way than others. It also discusses potential mental blocks to creative thinking and lists some common ones. Finally, it outlines the seven steps of the creative problem solving process and introduces tools like brainstorming, mind mapping, and multivoting that can be used to solve problems in a creative manner.

Uploaded by

Desiree White
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Problem Solving Skills

Presented by
Jude Iruthayaraj

Objectives:
Define creative problem solving.
Be familiar with common mental blocks to creative
thinking process.

Explore ways to be more creative.


Know the steps to the creative problem solving process.
Be familiar with: Brainstorming, Mind mapping and
Multivoting
Apply tools to solve a problem.

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What is creative problem solving?


Creative problem
solving is - looking
at the same thing
as everyone else
and thinking
something
different.

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Thoughts
The creative person uses information to form new ideas.
The real key to creative problem solving is what you do
with the knowledge.
Creative problem solving requires an attitude that allows
you to search for new ideas and use your knowledge and
experience.

Change perspective and use knowledge to make the


ordinary extraordinary and the usual commonplace.

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Barriers that get in our way


Time
Why change?
Usually dont need to be creative
Habit
Routine

Havent been taught to be creative


Mental blocks

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Mental blocks are


reasons (attitudes)
why we dont
think something
different.
5

Be more creative
How can we be more creative?
Write down at least 3 ideas that come to your mind.
1________________
2________________

3________________

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Problem solving process


STEP 1. State what appears to be the problem.
The real problem may not surface until facts are
gathered and analyzed. Therefore, start with what you
assume to be the problem, that can later be confirmed or

corrected.

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Problem solving process


STEP 2. Gather facts, feelings and opinions.
What happened?
Where, when and how did it occur?

What is its size, scope, and severity?


Who and what is affected?
Likely to happen again?

Need to be corrected?
May need to assign priorities to critical elements.

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Problem solving process


STEP 3. Restate the problem.
The real facts help make this possible, and
provide supporting data.
The actual problem may, or may not be the
same as stated in Step 1.

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Problem solving process


STEP 4. Identify alternative solutions.
Generate ideas, Do not eliminate any possible
solutions until several have been discussed.

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10

Problem solving process


STEP 5. Evaluate alternatives.
Which will provide the optimum solution?

What are the risks?


Are costs in keeping with the benefits?
Will the solution create new problems?

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11

Problem solving process


STEP 6. Implement the decision.
Who must be involved?

To what extent?
How, when and where?
Who will the decision impact?
What might go wrong?
How will the results be reported and verified?
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Problem solving process


STEP 7. Evaluate the results.
Test the solution against the desired results.
Make revisions if necessary.

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13

10 Questions to encourage ideas


1.

What if?

2.

How can we improve?

3.

How will the Optimist Member and/or the community benefit?

4.

Are we forgetting anything?

5.

Whats the next step?

6.

What can we do better?

7.

What do you think about?

8.

What should we add?

9.

What should we eliminate?

10.

What other ideas do you have...?

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14

Problem Solving
Tools
&
Techniques

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15

Tools & Techniques


Brainstorming:
Purpose:
To generate a large number of ideas in a short
period of time.

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16

Brainstorming
Rules for Brainstorming:
The more ideas the better!
No discussion
No idea is a bad idea
Build on one anothers ideas

Display all ideas

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17

Brainstorming
Remember
Creative
Thinking

Guidelines:
Practice question: How Do
We Motivate our team?

Clarify to understand, Once


all the ideas have been
generated, review ideas
offered

What did
you mean by
that?!!!

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Brainstorming
Guidelines:
Combine items that are
similar and
eliminate duplicates

Lets
combine
ideas!!!

Completion.
Are we
done yet?

The brainstorming process is completed once the ideas have been offered, discussed and consolidated

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Tools & Techniques


Multivoting
Purpose:
To help a group of people make a decision with which
they are comfortable.

Definition:
A way to vote to select the most important or popular
items (alternatives) from a list.

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20

Multivoting
Steps:
1. Generate a list of items and number each item.
2. If two or more items seem similar, they may be
combined.
3. If necessary, renumber the items.

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21

Multivoting
4. Write down the numbers of the items you feel
are the major cause of the problem.
5. Share your votes by a show of hands.
6. Eliminate those items with the fewest votes.

7. Repeat steps 3 (renumber) through 6 on the list


of remaining items. Continue this process until
only a few items remain. If a clear favorite does
not emerge, the group may discuss the items
listed and make a choice.
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22

Tools & Techniques


Mind mapping
Purpose :
Unblock our thinking.
See an entire idea or several ideas on one
sheet of paper.
See how ideas relate to one another.
Look at things in a new and different way.
Look at an idea in depth.

Definition :

A visual picture of a group of ideas, concepts or


issues.
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Mind Mapping Exercise


Over-sized blank sheet of paper.
Select word, phrase or problem statement
to serve as a focus for discussion.

Print it in the middle of the paper. Enclose


it in a box or oval.
Let a word pop out of your mind.
Print it anywhere on the paper.
Underline it and connect the line with the
problem statement (or key phrase or word)
you are working.

Record the next idea and connect it to


original focus point or the prior thought.
Continue printing and connecting words.
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Think
freely!!

Mind Mapping Exercise

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Mind Mapping Exercise


Helpful Hints
Keep your printing large and easy to read.
Feel free to use symbols and or pictures.

Have some fun using different colors.

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Mind Mapping - Video

Click on black screen to view the video:


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27

Thank You!!!

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