WORKING SMARTER Problem Solving

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WORKING SMARTERProblem Solving Decision
Making
F

• George Sugai
• OSEP Center on PBIS
• www.pbis.org
• May 9, 2006

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Purpose

• The purpose of this discussion is to provide
  guidelines for improving the efficiency
  effectiveness of decision making problem
  solving.

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The Challenge

• Multiple initiatives
• Fragmented/overlapping services activities
• Ineffective/inefficient practices
• Poorly developed implemented support systems
• Incomplete agreement/implementation
• Inefficient approach to decision making
• Unpredictable/inefficient non-data based
• Inadequate number of minutes

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Examples

• I dont have time. My plate is full.
• Whos going to do that?
• We talk, talk, talk,but no action.
• Why are we doin this again?
• Ill go along, but I know it wont last.

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Response Work Smarter

• Do lessbetter
• Do it once
• Invest in clear outcomes
• Invest in a sure thing
• Be strategic about problem solving

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Overriding 3-Step Prsocess

• Set collective goal
• Track progress toward goal with data
• Use data to assess adjust efforts to improve
  outcomes

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General Steps Guidelines for Problem Solving
Decision Making
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Supporting Social Competence Academic
Achievement
4 PBS Elements
OUTCOMES
Supporting Decision Making
DATA
Supporting Staff Behavior
SYSTEMS
PRACTICES
Supporting Student Behavior
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Applications

• Developing action plans
• Selecting practices
• Addressing implementation roadblocks
• Developing policies
• Conducting problem solving meetings

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Process Goals/Outcomes

• Create predictable routines
• Maintain focus on goal/purpose/outcome
• Use minutes more efficiently
• Improve impact or outcomes

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1. Clearly define problem

• What evidence do you have to confirm problem?
• Have you dealt with this problem before?
• What did you learn?
• Who is affected by the problem?
• Does everyone agree that problem is high priority?

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2. Specify objective/outcome to be achieved

• What do you want to achieve?
• Who is affected by achievement of outcome?
• Does everyone agree that outcome is appropriate
  for problem?
• Is outcome achievable?

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3. Specify measurable indicator to monitor
progress toward objective/ outcome

• What will you measure to know if youve achieved
  your objective?
• How do you know when you are successful?
• When, where, who, when will indicator be
  measured?

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4. Select research validated practices to achieve
objective/outcome

• What evidence exists to suggest that this
  practice will work?
• For your students? For you?
• Within the time frame available?
• Is this practice appropriate for your students?

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5. Assess implementation requirements

• What is required to implement practice?
• Skills? Time? Materials? Resources? Personnel?
• Does everyone agree to use practice?
• What modifications are needed to fit practice to
  your context increase impact?
• Can practice be integrated into on-going
  initiatives/efforts?

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6. Develop action plan

• How will practice be implemented?
• What? When? Who? Where? For how long?
• What can be done to ensure accurate consistent
  implementation?

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7. Implement monitor

• Is adequate progress being made?
• Socially?
• Educationally?
• Can modifications be made to improve
  effectiveness?
• What is required to sustain practice?
• What elements can be eliminated?

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8. Celebrate success.

• What successes?
• Student, school, family, community
• How will you celebrate?
• When? How? What?

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Big Ideas

• Always room for improvement
• Most organizations perform between 40-60 of
  their capacity (1996, p. 52)
• Improvement is associated with positive, short
  term feedback
• Do not accept long periods of training,
  restructuring, inactivity
• Still evolving is not reinforceable opportunity

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• Establish pilot projects with high probability
  for quick success meaningful impact
• Develop small of goals that is manageable
  achievable in short term
• Goal is to see regular frequent impact of your
  efforts
• Work smarternot more
• Be strategic about problem solving

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Response Work Smarter

• Do lessbetter
• Do it once
• Invest in clear outcomes
• Invest in a sure thing
• Be strategic about problem solving