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How To Problem Solve: by Avil M. Beckford
How To Problem Solve: by Avil M. Beckford
By Avil M. Beckford
Table of Contents
Legal Notices .. 3 Introduction .. 4 Characteristics of Great Problem Solvers 5 4 Types of Problem Solvers .. 6 Problem Solving Process .. 8 4 Step Problem Solving Process .. 9 What Great Thinkers & Innovators Have in Common 11 Things to do to Become a Better Problem Solver ..13 Anatomy of a Problem Solving Process ..14 Reverse Problem Solving . 21 Conclusion 23 About the Author ..24 Websites/Resources 25
Legal Notices
Please feel free to distribute the presentation in its entirety with attribution to the author.
Disclaimer And/Or Legal Notices: The information presented herein represents the view of the author at the time of publication. Due to the rate at which conditions change, the right to update this publication is reserved based on new conditions. This toolkit is for informational purposes only, in regard to the subject matter, and not intended as professional advice. While every attempt has been made to verify the information provided in this work, the author does not assume any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. You should be aware of any laws which govern business transactions or other business practices in your country, province and state.
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Introduction
Any successful business or life activity demands the ability to problem solve
Employees who boldly face daily problems and challenges are worth more to an organization than those who passively rely on their supervisors Moving up the corporate ladder depends on the number and complexity of problems solved
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Observe Listen and hear Get along with others Secure reliable information Look at whats been done before Pay attention to detail Take a break Reflect on options Trust their instincts Adapt Take decisive actions Persistent
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Inspirers: They nurture people and relationships and have the ability to inspire confidence. Whenever they face a challenge or problem, people rally around them offering their assistance. Reflectors: These problem solvers do not rush when making decisions, instead they take their time, mull things over for a while, step back from the situation to get a new perspective and then act.
Innovators: These individuals have the unique ability to come up with creative solutions to any challenge or problem that they might encounter. It could be an entirely new solution or the blending of two known solutions into something fresh and exciting.
Influencers: These problem solvers are expert at getting others to support their cause, and they excel at finding solutions to people problems that involve change. Influencers are great at getting people to buy in.
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In his 1926 book The Art of Thought, Graham Wallas, the English political scientist and psychologist, adopted and expanded Hermann von Helmholtzs process to idea development.
Wallas describes a four-stage creativity process for generating great ideas preparation, incubation, illumination and implementation.
This process is ideal for problem solving because it taps into the idea of creative solutions rather than a one-size fits all template.
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Preparation: A period of study and fact-finding, which includes conducting research to identify what has been done before, interviewing subject experts and participating in any other activity of collecting opinions or ideas on the subject. It is time to take a break when you become stressed, bored, overwhelmed, or distracted, or feel that its futile to gather more information. Incubation: Stop thinking about the problem and sleep on it. Though not consciously working on your issues, challenges or problems, your subconscious mind is busy working at connecting the different pieces of information to form ideas, and so creating something different and new.
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Illumination: When you least expect it, a sudden flash of insight, an aha moment where the new idea(s) to resolve your issues, challenges or problems will surface to your conscious mind and you see the light.
Implementation: The great idea(s) or solution that surfaces could be implemented the way you conceived it, or you may have elements of a great idea that you have to refine before you can implement.
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Ability to reflect Observation skills Openness to experiment Keep record of research Impossible was not an answer Open minded
Childlike sense of play Curious Voracious reader Read/study broadly Observe and collect facts Independent thinking Take breaks to reenergize
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Total absorption in subject Look at the limitations of old inventions and devise a solution Modify present technologies for other uses Ability to make connections between two different things Have imagination
Have vision Didnt reinvent the wheel - built on present knowledge Ability to combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills Paid attention to detail Give vital ideas the opportunity to take root and grow
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Each day spend some time reflecting on life Travel to places that you have never been before Eat different foods, interact with nature Take time to learn about another culture Read diverse books and other materials and think about what youve read
Consider problems that you know need solving and work on ways to solve them
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5.
Look for case studies in your industry and unrelated industries Conduct research on the internet Interview subject matter experts Brainstorm with colleagues Conduct focus group interviews
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6.Read all the information gathered and synthesize them 7.Extract all the relevant information by distilling the facts pertinent to your problem 8.Formulate options and test alternatives
This is the most critical stage for Inspirers, Influencers & Innovators
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2.
3.
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4. 5.
6.
If you find that the solution doesnt work, go through the process again
This is an important step for all types of problems solvers, but more so for Influencers who have to get buy in and Innovators who take pride in doing whats never been done.
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Define the problem What are the knowns? What are the unknowns? What is the end result (goal)? Why is it important to achieve this goal? Develop a strategy to achieve the goal (solve the problem), working from the end result What are the necessary steps to achieve the goal? Solve the problem using the steps identified to achieve the goals Does the solution make sense? Is it the best solution? Check the solution by working forwards
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Conclusion
The type of problem solver you are informs how you approach the challenges, problems and issues that you will inevitably face in your work and life. The problem solving process outlined above is solid and has been used successfully for decades. The entire process can take hours or it can take months depending on the complexity of the problem.
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Websites/Resources
Websites Ambeck Enterprise http://www.ambeck.com The Invisible Mentor Blog http://theinvisiblementor.com Resources Website Resources: http://www.ambeck.com/resources.html Blog Resources: http://theinvisiblementor.com/resources/ Books: Tales of People Who Get It, Journey to Getting It, The Invisible Mentor Tool Kit, The Problem Solver Tool Kit, WorkLife Balance Self Discovery Worksheet , Regret Disengagement Worksheet http://stores.lulu.com/avilbeckford
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