The document outlines a comprehensive method of problem-solving, detailing seven key steps: defining the problem, describing results, gathering information, generating alternatives, selecting the best solution, implementing it, and evaluating outcomes. It also highlights the complexity of real-world problems, such as social and environmental impacts, and discusses how systems and subsystems operate within this context. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of design criteria, optimization, and continuous monitoring in the problem-solving process.

1. Method of Problem Solving
Mikial Nijjar

2. Problem Solving
– Humans have always needed food, clothing, shelter and
healthcare.
– Early humans lived in caves and ate fruits and seeds of plants
 Problems of Society
– Disposal of wastes
– Production of enough energy
– Continuous supply of clean and safe water
 Problems of Individuals
– Skills in programming
– Impaired vision
– Sound quality of recording systems
– Communication between drivers

3. Method of Problem Solving
– Seven steps in problem solving
 Describe the Problem
– A statement describing the problem gives a way of thinking
about the problem, like ‘people working for long hours get a
back pain’.
– This description decides whether the problem is interesting,
important ---- example on page 50
 Describe the Results
– Goals of solving the problem should be defined
– Design criteria --- list of specifications that includes all the
requirements of the problem
– The specifications should also include the limitations of the
problem

4. Good Design in Problem Solving
– Low-cost and easy to use
– Benefits outweigh the problems
 Examples
– Telephones, internet, suspension bridges etc
 Superconductors
– Energy is lost in resistance as electricity flows
– Superconductors could only be made at around –432oF
– Liquid helium was used but was too costly
– Some materials work in liquid nitrogen that could go up to -
234oF
– Materials are brittle and hard to make into wire with such
temperatures

5. Method of Problem Solving
 Gather Information
– Gathering information to solve a problem is called research
– Basic research --- nature of different materials and processes
– Market research --- determine if customers will like the new
product
 Think of Alternative Solutions
– Past experience of others
– Brainstorming in a group for some creative ideas
– Develop alternatives by trial and error
– Insight --- an idea may just pop up into your head
– Some of the most important discoveries, like penicillin, have
been discovered by accident

6. Method of Problem Solving
 Choose the Best Solution
– Each alternative must be examined for design criterion and
constraints
– Optimization --- changing or combining alternatives to improve
them
– Tradeoff --- selecting the best overall solution, , e.g. cost and
strength of a metal
 Implement the Solutions
– Prototype or model of the solution is made to check for cost, risks,
e.g. model of an airplane in a wind tunnel
 Evaluate the Solution
– Observation may suggest some improvement in design or
construction of the solution --- feedback
– Once satisfied, we can build the full-scale structure, or start mass-
producing the product

7. Modeling Design Solutions
– Charts and Graphs --- describe how an alternative solution
might work
– Mathematical Models --- use of mathematical equation to
predict performance
– Sketches, Illustrations, and Technical Drawings --- show
ideas in picture form
– Working Models --- can be partly or fully functional. Its
material and size may and may not be the same as that to be
used
– Computer Simulation --- displays a picture of the idea on
screen. It is most useful when a large number of calculations
must be carried out

8. Real World Problems
– Technological decisions must take both human needs and the
protection of the environment into consideration
 Social/Environmental Concerns
– An airport or a nuclear plant cannot be built near a residential
area
– Needs of the society or the community must be considered
 Politics
– Groups of people have different interests, e.g. in case of a
nuclear power plant
– Risks of a new development should be traded for its benefits
 Risk/Benefit Trade-Offs
– Use of satellites, cars etc

9. Real World Problems
 Continued Monitoring
– All the effects of a technological solution may not be known
until long after the solution is implemented
– Some drugs may have harmful side effects
 Values
– Products’ advertisements have certain limitations
– Some people prefer a sports car or a luxury car while others go
for a basic car

10. Systems
– A system is a means of getting a desired result, e.g. space
shuttle, calculator, car etc
 System Model
– The input is the command we give a system or it’s the desired
result
– The process is the action part of a system --- it combines the
resources
– The output is what is produced or it’s the actual result
– Feedback is information about the output that can be used to
change it --- monitor --- system diagrams on page 65 and 67
– Systems with feedback are called control systems or feedback
control systems or closed loop systems
– Systems without feedback are called open loop systems

11. Systems
– Even our own bodies contain systems
– The body has many control systems like sugar level, heartbeat,
oxygen collection etc.
 Multiple Outputs
– A system may produce several outputs
– The outputs from a coal-burning power plant may by
• Expected & Desirable ~ power
• Expected & Undesirable ~ noise and smoke
• Unexpected & Desirable ~ tropical fish is flourished in the warm water
• Unexpected & Undesirable ~ acid rain due to the pollution
 Subsystems
– Many smaller systems in a large system are its subsystems

12. Thank You