Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
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Learning Objectives
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A Model of
Problem Solving
• Step 1: Define the Problem
– Differentiate fact from opinion
– Specify underlying causes
– Tap everyone involved for information
– State the problem explicitly
– Identify what standard is violated
– Determine whose problem it is
– Avoid stating the problem as a disguised solution
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A Model of
Problem Solving
• Step 2: Generate Alternative Solutions
– Postpone evaluating alternatives
– Be sure all involved individuals generate alternatives
– Specify alternatives that are consistent with goals
– Specify both short- and long-term solutions
– Build on others’ ideas
– Specify alternatives that solve the problem
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A Model of
Problem Solving
• Step 3: Evaluate and Select an Alternative
– Evaluate relative to an optimal standard
– Evaluate systematically
– Evaluate relative to goals
– Evaluate main effects and side effects
– State the selected alternative explicitly
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A Model of Problem Solving
• Step 4: Implement and Follow Up on the
Solution
– Implement at proper time and in the right
sequence
– Provide opportunities for feedback
– Stimulate acceptance
– Establish ongoing monitoring system
– Evaluate based on problem solution
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Limitations of the Analytical Problem-
Solving Model
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Constraints on the Analytical Problem-
Solving Model
• Generating Alternatives
– Alternatives are evaluated as they are
proposed
– Few possible alternatives are usually
known
– The first acceptable solution is usually
accepted
– Alternatives are based on what was
successful in the past
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Constraints on the Analytical Problem-
Solving Model
• Evaluating and Select an Alternative
– Information on alternatives is limited
– Search for information occurs close to home
– The type of information is constrained by other
factors
– Gathering information is costly
– Preferences for the best alternatives are not always
known
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Constraints on the Analytical Problem-
Solving Model
• Implementation and Follow up
– Acceptance is not always forthcoming
– Resistance to change
– Uncertainty about what part of solution to
monitor
– Political and organizational processes must be
managed
– It may take a long time to implement a solution
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Creative Problem Solving
• Focused on generating something new.
• Most people have trouble solving problems
creatively.
• They have developed certain conceptual
blocks in their problem-solving activities of
which they are not even aware.
• The blocks are largely personal.
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Conceptual blocks
• Over time, you must develop the habit of
mentally filtering out some of the information to
which you are exposed; otherwise, information
overload would drive you crazy.
• Paradoxically, the more formal education
individuals have, and the more experience they
have in a job, the less able they are to solve
problems in creative ways.
• Training in thinking increased the number of good
ideas produced in problem solving.
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Two Examples
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Conceptual Blocks
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deBono’s Ways of Thinking
•Vertical Thinking • Lateral Thinking
– Continuity – Discontinuity
– Chooses – Changes
– Stability – Instability
– Searches for what – Searches for what is
is right different
– Analytic – Provocative
– Where the idea – Where the idea is
came from going
– Develops an idea – Discovers the idea
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Multiple Thinking Languages
• Words
• Symbols
• Sensory (i.e. smell)
• Feelings and emotions
• Visual imagery
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Multiple Thinking Languages
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Stereotyping
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Ignoring Commonalities
Creativity is blocked when
individuals fail to find the common
thread that exist between dissimilar
problems.
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Name That Ship!
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Examples of Compression
Artificial Constraints
Separating Figure From
Ground
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Examples of Complacency
• Noninquisitiveness: Unwillingness
to ask questions
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Insert Table 3.4
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Stages in Creative Thought
• Preparation
• Incubation
• Illumination
• Verification
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Ways to Improve Problem
Definition
• Make the strange familiar and the
familiar strange – Synectics
• Elaborate the definition
• Reverse the definition
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Ways to Generate More
Alternatives
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Rules of Brainstorming
1. No evaluation of ideas is
permitted
2. Wild ideas are encouraged
3. Quantity before quality
4. Build on ideas of others
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Hints to Facilitate Creative Problem
Solving
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Three Principles for Fostering
Creativity
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