Problem solving
Solving problems
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“The biggest mistake I see new
programmers make is focusing on
learning syntax instead of
learning how to solve problems.”
- V. Anton Spraul
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Problem solving
Why should I learn this?
– known as
Effective problem solving
It can be done through
requires a structured,
transferable, logical
critical evaluation of a _critical_
problem.
approach. _thinking_
Many of us are able to solve problems
without knowing how we do it. To ensure that we can solve problems of
varying complexity and context, we need to
This might mean we are excellent thinkers, or understand how we solve problems.
we just get lucky.
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Problem solving
Thinking about thinking
Logical and reflective thinking Looking at your results along the way
_critical thinking_ _metacognition_
“Thinking about, monitoring, and
regulating our own thinking.”
+ Awareness of how efficient we are in
applying strategies to complete a task to
monitor and regulate our own thinking.
The combination of these two involves:
01. 02. 03.
Awareness of our cognitive knowing how to take appropriate having a range of flexible
processes and activities, action, and strategies to solve problems.
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Problem solving
How does it help me solve a problem?
Critical thinking and metacognition help us to solve problems because it…
Gives you an intellectual toolset that can be Ensures that you correctly define the problem.
applied to any problem.
Ensures you consider all parts of the problem. Ensures you produce the best solution for a
problem.
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Problem solving
Six dimensions of critical thinking
_EVALUATE_ or assess arguments, explanations, _INFER_ and hypothesise by querying evidence,
considerations, opinions, questions, and inferred conjecturing alternatives, and understanding the
relationships between statements. consequences thereof.
_INTERPRET_ statements by understanding and _EXPLAIN_ or state results, justify procedures, and
categorising them, decoding their significance, and present arguments for and against them.
clarifying the meaning thereof.
_ANALYSE_ statements by identifying relevant
_SELF-REGULATE_ by being aware of their
information and the relationships between it,
cognitive activities (how they evaluate, interpret,
identifying arguments for and against it, and
analyse, infer, and explain) and examining them.
examining ideas.
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Problem solving
But first, try on your own
Scenario:
A few of your colleagues really need coffee to get those neurons firing for a big project you’re
working on. They’ve asked you to take control of the situation.
Information:
The office has a kitchen with a coffee machine and all the necessary ingredients to make coffee. You
also know of a great takeaway coffee shop around the corner from the office. Make as many
assumptions as you think are necessary.
Write down the steps you need to take to solve this “problem”.
Try to recognise the implicit processes you follow while writing down these steps.
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Problem solving
Let’s reflect…
01. What had to change in my thought process to get to a solution?
02. Can I explain why my solution is the most appropriate?
03. Did I miss something? Maybe I should check again.
04. Did I follow an appropriate cognitive process?
05. How can I do a better job at thinking about what I’m doing?
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Problem solving
When you DON’T understand the problem
Lenny Rachitsky (former developer at Airbnb)
The original instruction:
Build out a “social travel” experience for Airbnb travellers.
What they thought the problem was:
“Travellers want to hang out with other travellers.”
The _REAL_ problem:
“Travellers want to find high-quality, non-touristy things to do.”
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Problem solving
A three-step approach to problem solving
As a result of misunderstanding the real problem, Lenny proposed a problem-solving framework:
Understand + Design + Build = A hot mess
Understand + Design + Build = Solving the wrong
problem
Understand + Design + Build = Backtracking when it
doesn’t work
Right problem,
Understand + Design + Build = working solution
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Problem solving
Right problem, working solution
Understand the problem in detail. What is the desired
01.
outcome?
_UNDERSTAND THE_
Understand
_PROBLEM_
Write down a problem statement, making sure there is no
02.
ambiguity.
03. List the potential options/solutions using a logic tree.
_FIND THE FACTS_ Design
04. Consider the pros and cons of each potential solution.
_IMPLEMENT AND_
05. Select the best option and build that solution. Build
_REVIEW_
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Problem solving
So, how would you solve this problem?
Do you think you can apply the same processes to solve the following problem?
How do we
fight
COVID-19?
An impossible problem to solve?
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Problem solving
Some ways to solve a problem
Logic trees A fundamental problem-structuring framework for solving complicated problems.
A framework to effectively manage projects. Mostly used by developers, but can
Agile
be applied to almost anything.
Design thinking A solution-based approach to solve complex, ill-defined problems.
A logical problem-solving approach that is rigorous and replicable – used by
Scientific method scientists.
Root cause analysis A problem-solving method used to identify the root causes of problems.
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