BMME7.4 Eunit doc2

Problem Solving Defined
IMAGINE driving alone in your car on a Sunday
afternoon. You are about 15 miles from home
when the car dies. You pull over to the side of
the road, and the car will crank but it will not
start. You reach for your cell phone to call for
help, but the battery is dead. You have plans to
meet a friend at a local restaurant in 30
minutes. What would you do if this happened to
you? Knowing how to fix a problem is the key to
your success.
Objective:
þ Compare and contrast the problem-solving and decision-making processes, and
explain the scientific method.
Key Terms:
Ñ conclusions
data
hypothesis
problem
problem solving
Understanding the Problem–Solving and
Decision–Making Process
A problem is a life situation that creates a difficulty and a state of suspense, confusion, and
doubt. Examples are determining what to wear to a formal event and what time to leave your
house to pick up a friend.
Whenever a problem occurs, people tend to concentrate too much on the solution and
sometimes forget the essence of the problem. No matter whether this happens at work or at
home, it is essential for you to have a proper approach to the problem to select the best
solution.
E-unit: Problem Solving Defined
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THE PROBLEM–SOLVING
PROCESS
Problem solving is the process of
attempting to deal with obstacles; it involves six
steps.
t Define the problem.
t Gather information to help you deter-
mine your final decision.
t Identify various solutions.
t Evaluate the alternatives, and select the
best option.
t Implement the plan of action.
t Evaluate the action taken.
Problem-solving usually involves decision-
making, which is especially important for management and leadership.
THE DECISION–MAKING PROCESS
Decision making is the act of choosing between two or more courses of action. It is a key
skill to have in the workplace and is an important life skill. Decision-making skills are particu-
FIGURE 1. It is essential to have a proper approach to the
problem to select the best solution.
DIGGING DEEPER…
UNCOVERING ADDITIONAL FACTS: Problem Solving
Problem solving is a key skill, which can make a huge difference to your career. At work,
problems are at the center of what many people do every day. You are solving a problem for a
client (internal or external), supporting those who are solving problems, or discovering new prob-
lems to solve.
The problems you face can be large or small, simple or complex, and easy or difficult to
solve. Regardless of the nature of the problems, a fundamental part of every manager’s role is
finding ways to solve them. Therefore, being a confident problem solver is important to your suc-
cess. Much of that confidence comes from having a good process to use when approaching
problems. With a process, you can solve problems quickly and effectively. Without one, your
solutions may be ineffective, or you will be stuck and do nothing, sometimes with painful conse-
quences.
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_00.htm#sthash.mnEGwiSw.dpuf

larly important if you want to be an effective leader. The ability to make good decisions
depends on the information you have gathered. It would be easy if one formula could be used
in any situation, but that is not the case. Each decision presents its own challenges, and we all
have different ways of approaching problems. The process for decision-making is methodical
or a systematic process. It involves stating the desired goal or condition; identifying the obsta-
cles to realizing the goal or condition; examining alternatives available for overcoming each
obstacle; ranking the alternatives in terms of their probable consequences; and choosing the
best alternative.
SIMILARITIES: PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING
TABLE 1. Problem–Solving and Decision–Making Process Comparison
PROBLEM–SOLVING PROCESS DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
Focuses on problems and their solutions Focuses on desired goals or conditions
Usually occurs in response to a specific
situation
Usually initiated to create a desired condition
Usually focuses on recent events Usually deals with future, planned events
Involves problem solving to a large degree
Both problem solving and decision making involve the examination of alternative actions, choosing
the optimal action, and evaluating the results.
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
The scientific method is a way of
finding answers to problems that uti-
lizes a five-step process.
Define the Problem
The first step of the scientific
method involves defining the problem
and stating the problem as a question.
Collect data or facts that will tell about
the problem.
Gather Data
Data is facts (e.g., statistics or other information) gathered regarding a problem or con-
cerns. The information you collect will help you determine how to handle your problem and
FIGURE 2. The scientific method is a common process used to determine
answers to problems.

make the correct decision. Summarize past experiences, and review other research results with
similar problems.
Suggest Possible Answers
A hypothesis or educated guess is a prediction of the results of an experiment.
Test the Hypothesis
Conduct an experiment to test the hypothesis. Then summarize the data collected in orga-
nized charts or tables.
Conclusion
The conclusion is the final action in a series of steps. Examine the findings of the experi-
ment. Once you have examined the findings, draw conclusions or judgments made based on
your findings.
Summary:
2 Problem-solving usually involves decision-making, which is especially important
for management and leadership. When you are attempting to solve a problem, six
steps should be followed.
The decision-making process is a methodical method that you cannot alter. During
the decision-making process, you examine or look at the alternatives available to
assist with overcoming your obstacle(s). Then you place the alternatives in terms of
their probable consequences and choose the best alternative. Decision making and
problem solving require you to examine alternative actions, choose the optimal
action, and evaluate the results.
Checking Your Knowledge:
´ 1. What is a problem?
2. What is the first step you use when solving problems?
3. What is the purpose for examining the decision-making process?
4. What are the similarities and differences of the problem-solving and decision-
making processes?
5. Why use the scientific method when solving a problem?

Expanding Your Knowledge:
L In team building activities, solving work-related problems is the responsibility of
the team leader. However, it is never too early to start acquiring the necessary skills.
The key to handling problems in a skilled manner is not to let your emotions get in
the way. Analyze the problem, and examine the underlying causes before coming
up with a solution and the means to achieve the solution. Good problem solvers
have a systematic approach to solving problems. They understand that quick solu-
tions or hastily conceived plans rarely work and yield results that are short term at
best. On paper, identify a problem in your life, and spend time analyzing the prob-
lem from all possible angles. Determine the best possible solution. Explain your
thought process.
Web Links:
: Guidelines for Problem Solving
http://managementhelp.org/personalproductivity/problem-solving.htm#guide
Problem Solving
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_00.htm
Career and Employability Service
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/problem-solving-skills.htm

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