steps in problem solving

1. Steps in Problem
Solving
Written by:
Dr. Frank Flanders
and Cate Buchanan
Georgia CTAE Resource
Network

2. Objective
 List and explain
the seven steps
in problem
solving.

3. What is problem solving?
 Problem solving is a process of working
through the details of a problem to reach
a solution. Someone seeking to solve a
problem may use the seven steps of
problem solving.

4. Seven Steps in Problem Solving
1) Define and Identify the
Problem
2) Analyze the Problem
3) Identifying Possible
Solutions
4) Selecting the Best
Solutions
5) Evaluating Solutions
6) Develop an Action Plan
7) Implement the Solution

5. Define and Identify the Problem
 Write down a statement which summarizes
the problem. This statement may be long if
the problem is complex.
 Set a goal for solving the problem.
 Example: The computer will boot up but
immediately turn itself off.
When the problem is solved the computer
will be usable.

6. Analyze the Problem
 Ask these questions:
• How long has the problem been going on?
• What are the causes of the problem?
• What are the effects and symptoms of the
problem?
• Are there multiple steps to solving this
specific problem?

7. Identifying Possible Solutions
 Brainstorming
• Those working to solve the problem should
come up with as many solutions as possible.
• Often one person’s ideas may spur the ideas
of others.
• All ideas should be written down to evaluate
later.

8. Selecting the Best Solutions
 In this step use the brainstormed list of
possible solutions.
 Discuss each of the possible solutions
and why they may or may not work.
 Select the most feasible solution.

9. Evaluating Solutions
 Make a T chart with pros of the solution
on one side and the cons on the other.
 Ask these questions after making the T
chart:
• What are the advantages of each solution?
• Are there any disadvantages to the solution?
• Do disadvantages outweigh advantages?
• Would the solution actually solve the
problem?

10. Develop an Action Plan
 Make a step by step plan which
should include:
• Tasks, what is to be done
• Estimated time to complete each task
• Who will do each task
 When this plan is complete post it
where it will be seen.

11. Implement the Solution
 Follow the steps in the Action Plan
 If things start to get complicated make a three
column chart:
• What could go wrong?
• How can you prevent this from happening?
• How will we fix it if something does go wrong?
 Evaluate results:
• Is the problem solved?

12. Common Mistakes in Problem
Solving
 The problem is not
well defined or there
is denial that the
problem exists.
 Goals are not clearly
defined.
 Opinions, emotions,
feelings, and self-
interest interfere
with objective
thinking.
 Individuals or
groups jump to
unwarranted
conclusions.
 Individuals or
groups are afraid
to make mistakes.

13. General problem-solving
strategies
 Divide-and-Conquer
strategy,
 Dynamic
programming,
 Greedy strategy,
 Backtracking,
 Branch-and-Bound
etc.

14. Program approaches
 1. Top-Down approach
 2. Bottom-up approach

15. 1. Top-down Approach
 Top-down design is a
process of breaking
the overall problem
into sub problems and
then subdivides each
sub-problem until the
lowest level of details
has been reached.

16. 2. Bottom-Up Approach
 Already existing
facilities are taken
into consideration as
a model for a new
design.