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Problem Solving & Decision Making: by Crazy Learners

This document discusses problem solving and decision making. It provides definitions of problem solving as a systematic approach to defining problems and creating solutions, and decision making as choosing a course of action. It then outlines the key steps in effective decision making: defining objectives, collecting relevant information, working out feasible options, making the decision, and implementing and evaluating. It also discusses strategies like brainstorming, thinking outside the box, and developing thinking skills. The conclusion emphasizes using both a scientific problem-solving process and considering individual differences.

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53 views

Problem Solving & Decision Making: by Crazy Learners

This document discusses problem solving and decision making. It provides definitions of problem solving as a systematic approach to defining problems and creating solutions, and decision making as choosing a course of action. It then outlines the key steps in effective decision making: defining objectives, collecting relevant information, working out feasible options, making the decision, and implementing and evaluating. It also discusses strategies like brainstorming, thinking outside the box, and developing thinking skills. The conclusion emphasizes using both a scientific problem-solving process and considering individual differences.

Uploaded by

asgherali87
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Problem Solving &

Decision Making

By
Crazy Learners

AliAsgher (GL)
Abdul Samad
Asif Ajmal
M. Hammad Ashraf
Muhammad Abid
Syed Badruddin
Index
 Definitions
 The Art of Effective Decision Making
 Key Problem Solving Strategies
 Brainstorming
 Thinking Outside the Box
 Developing Your Thinking Skills
 Graphic Overview
Problem Solving

A systematic approach to defining the


problem (question or situations that
present uncertainty, perplexity or
difficulty) and creating a vast number
of possible solutions without judging
these solutions
Decision Making

 The act of narrowing down the


possibilities, choosing a course of
action, and determining the action’s
potential consequences
The Art of Effective Decision
Making
Define Objective

 Defining the objective is invariably


important in decision making. One
useful tip is to write it down, for seeing
it in writing often helps you to attain
the necessary clarity of mind

 Asthe proverb says, “If you don’t know


what port you are heading for, any
wind is the right wind”
Collect Relevant Information

 Collecting relevant information involves


both

 By surveying the available information


 And taking steps to acquire the missing

but relevant information


Workout Feasible Options

 Move systematically from multitude of


possibilities;

 To a diminishing set of feasible options

 Practicable courses of actions


considering available resources
Make the Decision

 To make complex decision remember that


you make a decision by:
 Listing all advantages and disadvantages;
 Examining the consequences of each course;
 Testing the proposed course against the
yardstick of your aim or objective;
 Weighing the risks against the expected gains
Implement & Evaluate
 Plan
 Develop a plan of action and schedule
implementation
 Implement the Plan
 Communicate and delegate for direct
action
 Control
 Use checkpoints to determine whether the
alternative is solving the problem
 Avoid escalation of commitment to a bad
alternative
Key Problem Solving Strategies
Model for decision making
& problem solving

 Analyzing
 Separate things into component parts
 Synthesizing
 Putting or placing things together to make
a whole
 Valuing
 Establish success criteria based on
 Culture and Values
Asking the right questions

 Questions are the spanners that unlock


the mind

 Ask questions with yourself and others

 Toact is easy, to think is hard, said


Goethe
How to approach system problems

Problem cause

Performance standard
Problem

Problem deviation

Actual performance

Time

Systems Problems
Brainstorming
Brainstorming
 Use of imagination or original ideas
to create something
 Creative thinking is part of it which
produces new ideas
 It is best known and most widely
used technique
Guidelines for brainstorming
 Suspend judgment
 Welcome free-wheeling
 Strive for quantity
 Combine and improve
 Do not edit
How to run brainstorming session
 Define the problem

 Help people to understand the


problem

 Clarify the aim in a concise way

 Have a brief warm up session


How to run brainstorming session
 Brainstorm 70 ideas in 20 minutes
or similar target

 Establish criteria for selecting


feasible ideas and choose the best

 Reverse brainstorm
Thinking outside the box
Thinking outside the box
 Look wider for solutions
 Avoid step by step approach and
thinking
 Be willing to challenge the
assumptions that put an invisible
cage around the bird of thought
Creative thinking process
 Preparation
 Incubation
 Insight
 Validation
Mental Road Blocks
 Lack of facts
 Lack of conviction
 Lack of a starting point
 Lack of perspective
 Lack of motivation
Developing Your Thinking Skills
Developing Your Thinking Skills
 Forming a clear picture of the kind
of thinker you would like to be
 A clear concept of what you might
be one day
 List all the qualities, knowledge
functions or skills you would like to
acquire
Key factors in choosing your field of
work

 What are your interests?

 What are your aptitudes?

 What are the relevant factors in


your temperament?
How to design your own learning
strategy

 Make an inventory of your thinking skills


 Identify three decision makers and
problem solvers in your field
 Select one bad decision and write a case
study
 Take one outstanding idea and write a
case study
 Seek constructive criticism and remember
“No Pain, No Gain”
Graphical Overview
Conclusion
In general, there is a need to develop and
use a problem-solving/decision-making
process that is both scientific and
considerate of individual differences and
viewpoints. While the scientific process has
provided a method used successfully in a
wide variety of situations, researchers have
described individual differences that can
influence perspectives and goals related to
problem solving.

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