The document outlines the six steps to problem solving: 1) identify and analyze the problem, 2) collect and analyze data, 3) consider possible solutions, 4) choose the best plan, 5) implement the problem, and 6) observe, evaluate, and adjust. Examples are provided for each step, such as identifying being tardy to work as the problem, considering public transportation or getting rides as solutions, and ensuring the solution allows one to arrive to work on time. Additional aids to problem solving discussed are brainstorming, compromise, and consensus.

1. PROBLEM SOLVING
Career Management
Coach Wainwright

2. Problem Solving Steps
• 1. Identify and Analyze the Problem
• Learn as much about you can before taking any action is
taken.
• Do you understand the problem? (example, friction with boss
because of tardiness to work.)
• State the problem accurately.
• Criteria-standards (evaluation) you use to find the best
solution.
• Constraints-factors that may restrict or make it difficult to
solve the problem.

3. Problem Solving Steps
• 2. Collect and Analyze Data
• Collect data and analyze related to the problem.
• What do you know?
• What do you need to know?
• What information is available to help you solve the problem?
• Example (Public transportation? Ride to work with more
reliable friends, relatives, or coworkers?)
• Once you have defined the problem and collected all
important data, you can focus on possible solutions.

4. Problem Solving Steps
• 3. Consider Possible Solutions
• First step in actually solving the problem.
• Think creatively.
• Even wild ideas may have some later value.
• Keep ideas simple and brief at first.
• Don’t worry about details.
• Combining several ideas.
• Example- Cab ride, buy a car? Money?

5. Problem Solving Steps
• 4. Choose the Best Plan
• When you have 2 or 3 good ideas, select the best one.
• Criteria vs. Constraints?
• Example, decide to take the bus.
• 5. Implement the Problem
• Should now have confidence in solution.
• Example, what bus to catch, where to catch it.

6. Problem Solving Steps
• 6. Observe, Evaluate, and Adjust
• Most important step in problem-solving process.
• Even best plan may not go smoothly at first.
• Adjustments may be needed.
• Success or failure depends on how plan meets evaluation
criteria.
• Example-Do you arrive at work 5 minutes early by taking the
bus? Do you have enough time to change into uniform before
catching the bus?
• My need a better solution if criteria is not satisfied.

7. Aids To Problem Solving
• Brainstorming-a group technique used to develop many ideas
in a relatively short time. Good way to identify answers to a
problem.
• Compromise- when each side gives up something of value to
help solve the problem. Usually give up something that is
important to help reach compromise.
• Consensus- when all members of a group fully accept and
support the decision. Much more difficult to to reach than a
compromise.