[14] ppoint five psolving models

FIVE PROBLEM SOLVING MODELS

Muhammad Nazim bin Abd. Rahman INTAN Bukit Kiara Edited Sept 2014

LECTURE CONTENT

1. Definitions of Problem + Definition of Problem Solving 2. Different Types of Problems 3. Five Models of Problem Solving [Ask Experts, Eureka Steps, Seven Steps, Creative Approach Model and GROW Model] 4. Connection Between Problem Solving & Decision Making 5. Rational vs. Intuitive Reasoning 6. Individual vs. Group Problem Solving & Decision Making 7. Islamic Perspective regarding Problem Solving & Decision Making

DEFINITIONS OF PROBLEM & PROBLEM SOLVING Any question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty or difficulty

[dictionary.reference.com]

A question raised for inquiry, consideration or solution; or A source of perplexity, distress, vexation

[www.merriam-webster.com]

A question to be considered, solve or answered A misgiving, objection or complaint

[www.thefreedictionary.com

The thought processes involved in solving a problem; or The process of using your mind to consider something carefully [www.thefreedictionary.com]

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROBLEMS

Routine Non Routine

Wicked Vicious Complex Moral Dilemma Unfamiliar

Urgent Critical Persistent

Inter Personal

Management

Explanation of Different Types of Problems (1) Routine Non Routine Wicked

Vicious

In a routine problem, the problem solver knows a solution method and only needs to carry it out. Example: Training Coordinator searching for a lecturer for his course

In a non-routine problem, the problem solver does not initially know a method for solving the problem. Example: Any problems that the problem solver rarely encounter

Situation which important problem solving decisions commit those involved to one solutions and excluding other possibilities.

Example: Decision to build a multi-storey car park on a piece of land. Anything that involve a ‘no turning back’ decision Problems in which obvious solutions create bigger problems.

Example: Any problems involved sensitive issues have the tendency to become vicious problem

Explanation of Different Types of Problems (2) Complex Moral Dilemma Unfamiliar

Urgent

Problem which involved many variables, many constraints and many parties involved. Example: The problem of ‘Today there are too many illegal and also legal immigrants in Malaysia’

A situation in which one ought to do A, and one ought to do B, but one cannot do both A and B. Example: One ought to help save his family, but in order to save his family, one must tell a lie but telling a lie is morally unacceptable Problem which you have not had the chance to face. Example: Trying to lead a team in a negotiation with supplier for the first time.

A problem that needs a decision or a solution right now.

Example: How to stop a man from bleeding from a gunshot wound

Explanation of Different Types of Problems (3) Critical Persistent Inter personal

Manage ment

Life and Death Situation. Example if a patient are not being given a blood transfusion in the next 5 minutes his heart will stop beating

Problems which keeps on coming. Example: The loud banging noise cause by the piling machines in the construction site next to your office from 9 am to 6 pm everyday.

Problem between 2 or more human beings which effected their lives. Example: The store officer does not process your material request form as soon as possible due to you have not paid back $100 that you have borrowed from him 6 months ago

Problems that arise in the field of management. Example: How should a HR officer distribute 3 new workers in a factory where 7 Department is short of 24 workers

PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS: FIVE DIFFERENT MODELS

ASK EXPERTS MODEL Identify what is the real problem List down all the possible solutions for the problem Ask experts or those who have the experience in facing the problem for the solutions Choose and Implement the best solutions

EUREKA MODEL

SEVEN STEPS MODEL

Define and identify the problem (1)

You must define exactly what is the actual problem all about. What are the & Decision Making situation you face now and what are the situation you hope to be in?

Analyze the problem (2)

Find out the 5W + 1H of the problem. List all the symptoms and root causes.

Clarify the problem. Example: In order to cure condition X, we need to discover whether condition X is an infectious kind of disease, a hereditary condition, a chemical poison, or something else

Identify Possible Solutions (3)

Read, research, think, ask questions, discuss. Look for ideas and solutions

Evaluating Possible Solutions (4) Selecting the best solution (5)

Implement the solution (6) Evaluate the solution (7)

What possible solutions, either individually or in conjunction with each other, will solve this problem? You may want to adopt 2 or 3 separate solution paths at the same time, kind of like the triple antibiotic treatment. You might also want to set up ‘Plan B’ as a contingency Select one or more solutions to try. Choose from among those near the top of the list of ranking. However the very top ranked solution is not always the one to get chosen for implementation. Emotional factors, sudden changes, peculiar circumstances, the desire for beneficial side effects not directly related to the solution, and so forth, often shift the logical ranking Try out the solution(s). The key concept here is action. Get going and begin the solution. Once you choose a solution path, get to work on it.

Investigate to determine whether the solution(s) worked, and to what extent. Do modifications need to be made? Do other solutions need to be selected and tried?

Is a different approach needed? One of the most frequent failures of problem solving is the lack of evaluation of the implemented solution. Too often in the past, once a solution has been chosen and implemented, people have wandered off, assuming that the problem was solved and everything was fine. But the solution may not have worked or not worked completely, or it may have caused other problems in the process

CREATIVE APPROACH MODEL

From the book “Creatively ever after: a path to innovation”

by Alicia Arnold

GROW MODEL

CONNECTION BETWEEN PROBLEM SOVING AND DECISION MAKING Although the terms "problem-solving" and "decision-making" are sometimes used interchangeably, management literature makes a clear distinction between the two.

Problem-solving is a larger process that starts with the identification of a problem and ends with an evaluation of the effectiveness of the chosen solution.

Decision-making (A) is a subset of the problem-solving process (B) and refers only to the process of identifying alternative solutions and choosing from among them.

RATIONAL VS. REASONING Rational Reasoning

Intuitive Reasoning

 Slow – it takes time for

 Fast – it allows immediate action

analysis

 Emotional – it based on our

 Logical – It uses

emotional preference

symbols and logical

 Based on experience – it captures

deductions  A conscious process –

we are aware of the process  Not context specific –

the sum of past experiences  Self evident – you are not aware of

the process of deciding  Context specific – Intuitions from

one sphere may not translate to

INDIVIDUAL VS. GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING If it is up to the individual to solve the problem, then it is less difficult… What if we have to solve the problem as a group?

Would it be easier or would it be much more complex?

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE OF PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING Problem Solving and Decision Making In Islam The important steps in problem solving and decision making in Islam is quite clear What ever decision we want to make, it must not defer from what is stated in AlQuran and also

in Hadith

The ends that we seek and the means in which we achieve them, must be in accordance with the teaching of Islam There is no such thing as ‘the ends justify the means’ Whatever problems that we want to solve, we are taught to work hard to find the solution (ikhtiar) and also asking for help from Allah through doa. Lastly rely on Allah (tawakal)