The document outlines Charles Cotter's presentation on problem solving at the Women in Mining Conference on March 7, 2013. It discusses differentiating between structured and unstructured problems, critical success factors for effective problem resolution including using both rational and creative thinking. It then details the six steps of the whole brain problem solving process: 1) problem identification and definition, 2) searching for information and generating solutions, 3) evaluating alternatives, 4) selecting the most appropriate solution, 5) implementing the solution, and 6) evaluating the effectiveness of the implemented solution.

1. WOMEN IN MINING
CONFERENCE
CHARLES COTTER
7 MARCH 2013
PROBLEM SOLVING

2. PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
 Introduction
 Key presentation topics
 Summary
 Questions

3. Fundamentals of problem-
solving
 Differentiating between structured and
unstructured problems
 Engineering-related examples
 What types of problems that keep Engineers
awake at night?
 What are the constraints to solving engineering
problems?

4. Critical success factors of
effective problem resolution
 The right problem solving strategy
 Whole brain thinking – combination of left
(rational) + right brain (creative) thinking
 Sufficiency – time, information and resources
 Commitment and ownership (to the
implementation of the solution)

5. Whole Brain problem-solving
process
 Step 1: Problem identification, analysis and definition
 Step 2: Search for information and generate alternative
solutions
 Step 3: Evaluate alternative solutions
 Step 4: Select the most appropriate solution
 Step 5: Implement the appropriate solution
 Step 6: Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented
solution

6. Step 1: Problem identification,
analysis and definition
 This means the search for facts which leads to the
development of many explanations and symptoms of
the problem
 Ultimately results in the identification of the root causes
i.e. source/origin of the problem as well as the extent of
the problem
 A useful technique to use during this step is the fishbone
diagram

7. Step 2: Search for information/
generate alternative solutions
 This step entails the gathering of problem-related
information and other variables that may have a bearing
on the identified problem, in order to make an informed
decision.
 At this step, it is important for team leaders to identify
decision criteria that will assist in the making of an
objective decision
 The decision maker will have to find alternatives that
could resolve the problem and these alternatives will have
to be relevant to the problem-solving process.
 Typically team leaders may use a variety of idea/solution
generating techniques and problem solving methods e.g.
Brainstorming.

8. Step 3: Evaluate alternative
solutions
 Team leaders must critically analyze each alternative
solution, appraising each against the criteria identified in
step 2.
 The comparisons will reveal the relative strengths and
weaknesses of each alternative and it will highlight the
best alternative that can maintain the most significant
needs of the criteria.
 A useful technique that team leaders can use during the
evaluation of ideas/solutions is the decision matrix.

9. Step 4: Select the most
appropriate solution
 Once the team leader has analyzed the alternatives, the
next step is to choose the best alternative.
 Making an informed and objective decision.

10. Step 5: Implement the
appropriate solution
 The team leader then puts the decision into action using
the chosen alternative accordingly.
 Develops an implementation plan – 4 W’s + H.

11. Step 6: Evaluate the
effectiveness of the
implemented solution
 The team leader monitors and evaluates the
outcomes of the decision, to see if the problem had been
resolved.
 They determine whether the decision was best, and if
not s/he would need to assess what went wrong.
 Taking remedial/corrective action (if required)

12. SUMMARY
 Key points
 Questions
 Contact details:
 Charles Cotter
 084 562 9446
 charlescot@polka.co.za
 Linked In
 Twitter @Charles_Cotter