Problem Solving

1
Problem Solving

• You are either part of the Solution or part of
  the Problem
• Eldrige Cleaver

2
Problem Solving

• Fundamental thinking skills
• Creativity visualization
• Teamwork
• Communications
• Mental Models
• Thinking preference
• Knowledge creation
• Creative problem solving
• Creative Problem Solving/Engineering Design

3
Problem Definition

• Brontosaurus Tower Problem

4
Problem Definition

• When we find the real problem, we can eliminate
  the root causes instead of merely treating the
  symptoms.

5
Problem Definition

• Wei ji, Chinese symbol for Crisis
• Consists of two words
• Danger
• Opportunity

6
Problem Definition

• Use two steps to define problem
• Explorer
• Detective
• Use Different thinking styles

7
Problem Definition, Explorer

• Objective
• Discover context of problem
• Look for opportunities
• Characteristics
• Quadrant D and C thinkers
• Mindset
• Divergent thinking, gather information
• Trend watcher
• See positive light
• Look for opportunities to innovate

8
Problem Definition, Explorer

• Tools
• Networking
• Internet
• Idea file/History file
• Modeling problem
• Patent search
• Morphological creativity
• Synectics

9
Problem Definition, Explorer

• Contextual Problem Solving
• Capital of Kentucky?
• Does context of problem limit options?
• Consider
• Customers History/politics
• Education Long-term implications
• Environment Costs
• Competition Timing
• Innovation Technology progress

10
Problem Definition, Detective

• Objective
• Find root causes
• Find hidden information
• Mindset
• Methodical, quadrant B
• Analytical thinking, quadrant A
• Convergent thinking

11
Problem Definition, Detective

• The analytical mind can spot right answers, but
  it takes a creative mind to ask the right
  questions.

12
Problem Definition, Detective

• Tools
• Questions (Kepner-Tregoe approach)
• Surveys
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)
• Fault tree analysis (FTA)
• Experiments analysis
• Benchmarking
• Introspection

13
Problem Definition, Steps

• Resource assessment
• Time, people, materials
• Assessment
• Background, context, trends, specific data,
  analysis, attempted but not successful,
  conclusions
• Problem statement
• Stated as a positive goal
• Incubation

14
Project Definition Guidelines

• Select team
• Choose topic
• Focus topic
• Collect data
• Analyze data
• Develop problem definition statement