Unit-04
PROBLEM SOLVING
(DEVELOPMENT OF LIFE SKILLS-II –TW)
Ramun Prasad1
(Lecture No. 06 & 07)
PROBLEM SOLVING
I) Steps in Problem Solving,
1) Identify and clarify the Problem,
2) Information gathering related to Problem,
3) Evaluate the Evidence,
Unit-04 4) Consider alternative solutions and their Implications, 2 Hours
5) Choose and implement the best Alternative,
6) Review
II) Problem Solving Technique.
(any one technique may be considered)
1) Trial and error, 2) Brain storming, 3) Lateral thinking
Lecture No.-06
Lecture Outcomes
After this session you will be able to:
- List the steps of problem solving.
- Explore the problem.
- Gathered the information related to Problem,
- Evaluate the evidence on the basis of gathered the information.
- Suggest the alternative solutions to the problem.
- Apply an appropriate technique to solve the existing problem.
“Problems are nothing but wake-up calls for creativity” —Gerhard Gschwandtner
“All life is problem solving.” —Karl Popper
* Engineers are problem solvers. *
Before we talk about the stages of problem solving, it is important to have a definition of what it is. Let’s
look at the two roots of problem solving — problems and solutions.
A Problem is an opportunity for improvement.
OR A Problem is the difference between the actual state and desired state.
OR Problem – A state of desire for reaching a definite goal from a present condition.
1
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Solution – The management of a problem in a way that successfully meets the aims set for treating it.
Problem solving is a process and skill that one develops overtime to be used when needed to solve the
immediate problems in order to achieve the certain goal.
Notes: Creativity: Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. Creativity is
characterised by the ability to perceive the world in new ways, to find hidden patterns, to make connections
between seemingly (मथोचित रूऩ से) unrelated phenomena, and to generate solutions. Creativity involves two
processes: thinking, then producing.
Thus, Problem solving is a purposeful goal-oriented action that involves finding, analyzing, and solving
those problems using creative skills.
I. Steps in problem solving23
1. Identify and clarify the problem:
Ask yourself what the problem is. There may be multiple issues within a single situation. Make a list of
these issues and define why each one is a problem for you or for your societies.
2. Information gathering related to problem:
To solve the problem we need to gather information. This gathered information tell us ―is really any
problem exist or not?????‖
Stakeholders: Individuals, groups, industries or other organizations that are affected by the problem, or its
solution.
Facts & data
Research
Results from experimentation and studies
Interviews of "experts" and trusted sources
Observed events, past or present, either personally observed or reported
Boundaries
The boundaries or constraints of the situation are difficult to change. They include lack of funds or other
resources.
Opinions and Assumptions
Opinions of decision makers, committees or groups, or other powerful groups will be important to the
success of your decision. It is important to recognize, truth, bias, or prejudice in the opinion.(ननर्णम
ननभमणतमओं, समभनतमों मम सभूहों, मम अन्म शक्ततशमरी सभूहों की यमम आऩके ननर्णम की सपरतम के मरए भहत्वऩूर्ण
होगी। रेककन, यमम भें सच्िमई, ऩऺऩमत मम ऩूवमणग्रह को ऩहिमननम भहत्वऩूर्ण है ।)
2
https://www.humorthatworks.com/learning/5-steps-of-problem-solving/
3
https://www.virtualsalt.com/crebook3.htm
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Assumptions can save time and work since it is often difficult to get "all the facts." Recognize that some
things are accepted on faith. Assumptions also have a risk factor, must be recognized for what they are,
and should be discarded when they are proven wrong (गरत समबफत होने ऩय उन्हें छोड़ ददमम जमनम िमदहए।).
3. Evaluate the Evidence:
We evaluate it, on the ground of gathered information. Evidence provides justification for beliefs. Evidence
can be quoted as a purpose for believing, or not believing some claim. Each person’s beliefs reflect their
total assimilation (मभरमनम) of evidence over time (प्रत्मेक व्मक्तत कम ववश्वमस सभम के समथ समक्ष्म के कुर आत्भसमत को
दशमणतम है ।).
4. Consider alternative solution and their implications:
But when you try to build toward desired results, it’s very difficult to collect good information about the
process. Due to this, we have to see towards alternatives which can significantly enhance the value of your
final solution.
Once the team or individual has decided the ―what should be‖ model, this target standard becomes the basis
for developing a road map for investigating alternatives. Brainstorming and team problem-solving
techniques may be proved useful tools in this stage of problem solving.
5. Choose and implement the best alternative:
Skilled problem solvers use a series of considerations when choosing the best alternative. They consider
the extent to which:
(i) A specific alternative (एक ववमशष्ट ववकल्ऩ) will solve the problem without causing other unexpected
problems.
(ii) All the individuals involved will accept the alternative.
(iii) Implementation of the alternative is likely (संबमववत).
(iv) The alternative fits within the organizational constraints (फमध्मतमएं/ संयोधक).
The application of a solution requires planning and execution. It is often iterative (ऩन
ु यमवत्त
ृ - repetition of a
process in order to generate a sequence of outcomes), where the focus should be on small implementation
cycles with testing and feedback, not trying to get it ―perfect‖ at the first time.
6. Review: What did you do? To know you successfully solved the problem, it is important to review
what worked, what didn’t and what impact the solution had (मह सभीऺम कयनम भहत्वऩर्
ू ण है कक, तमम कमभ
ककमम, तमम नहीं ककमम औय सभमधमन कम तमम प्रबमव ऩड़म). It also helps you to improve long-term problem
solving skills and keeps you from re-inventing the wheel.
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Once you understand the five steps of problem solving, you can build your skill level in each one. Often
we’re naturally good at a couple of the phases and not as naturally good at others. Some people are great at
generating ideas but struggle to implement them. Other people have great execution skills (ननष्ऩमदन कौशर)
but can’t make decisions on which solutions to use. Knowing the different problem solving steps allows
you to work on your weak areas, or team-up with someone who’s strengths complement yours.
Lecture No.-07
II Problem Solving Technique (any one technic may be considered)
I. Trial and Error
II. Brain storming
III. Lateral thinking
I. Trial and Error (परीक्षण एवं त्रट
ु ी):
Trial and error technique can be used to solve the some complex problems. This is typically good for
problems where you have multiple chances to get the correct solution. However, this is not a good
technique for problems that don’t give you multiple chances to find a solution.
Trial and error does not require you to have a lot of knowledge.
It plays an important role in the scientific method as well.
Trial and error is also an excellent tool for inventors.
II. Brainstorming (ववचार-मंथन):
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Brainstorming is a group method for obtaining new ideas and business solutions. The groups are organized
for sitting together and stimulate greater creativity by exchange of mutual experiences and participating in
the discussions.‖
Brainstorming is supposed to be about harnessing the power of thinking (सोि की शक्तत कम दोहन) outside
the box to solve that impossible problem. It’s the magic that helps you find amazing, unique ideas.
Brainstorming can be an effective way to generate lots of ideas on a specific issue and then determine
which ideas is the best solution.
It is most effective with groups of 8-12 people and should be performed in a relaxed environment. If
participants feel free to relax and joke around, they will stretch their minds further and therefore produce
more creative ideas.
It is an easy and simple technique which encouraged and stimulate for creative thinking.
For example: It is commonly used for advertising, the development of new products, process management
and business planning.
There are four basic rules in brainstorming:
1. No Criticism: Criticism is reserved for the evaluation stage of the process. This allows the members to feel
comfortable with the idea of generating unusual ideas.
2. Welcome unusual ideas: Unusual ideas are welcomed as it is normally easier ―tame down‖ (ननिे चगयनम)
than to ―tame up‖ (शरू
ु कयनम) as new ways of thinking and looking at the world may provide better
solutions.
3. Quantity wanted: The greater the number of ideas generated the greater the chance of producing an
effective solution.
4. Combine and improve ideas: combine ideas in order to make them better.
The steps involving in Brainstorming are:
A group’s members are presented with a problem and all its details.
Members are encouraged to come up with as many solutions as possible, putting aside all personal
judgments and evaluations.
All ideas are recorded so the whole group can see them.
Ideas are evaluated at another session.
III. Lateral Thinking (पार्शवव सोच):
Later thinking is the mental process of generating ideas and solving problems by looking at a situation or
problem from a unique prospective. It is ability to think creatively.
It involves breaking away from traditional modes of thinking and discarding established pattern and
preconceived notions (ऩूवमणग्रही वविमय).
This technique provides a deliberate, systematic process that result in innovative thinking.
To understand lateral thinking, it is necessary to compare lateral thinking and critical thinking. Critical
thinking is primarily concerned with judging the true value of statements and seeking errors. Lateral
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thinking is more concerned with the "movement value" of statements and ideas. A person uses lateral
thinking to move from one known idea to creating new ideas.
Notes: Some other key techniques to generated new ideas in problem solving are as follows:
Focus group
Mind-mapping,
Synectics (यिनमत्भक सोि)
Storyboarding (A storyboard is a graphic organizer that consists of illustrations or images displayed in sequence),
Role playing,
Attribute (ववशेवषम) listing
Conclusion
Thus, in this unit we have learned about the different steps and techniques of problem solving.
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ASSIGNMENT-03 & 04
(For more detail see your syllabus)
3) Solve the puzzles.
(I)
A) 2 B) 4
C) 8 D) 0
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II.) Put the following buildings or structures in order of height, from the shortest to the tallest.
(a) Shed (b)Skyscraper (c)Duplex (d)Bungalow (e)Typical camping tent
Note: Solve at least 5 more puzzles from the website: https://www.sawaal.com/puzzles.html
4) Form a group of 5-10 students and does a work for social cause e.g. tree plantation, blood donation,
environment protection, camps on awareness like importance of cleanliness in slump area, social activities
like giving cloths to poor etc. (One activity per group).
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