MILITARY PROBLEM

SOLVING PROCESS

INSTRUCTOR CPT REINHARD

PURPOSE

 To define the 7 steps of the

Military Problem Solving Process
 To describe some of the Road
Blocks to problem solving

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

REFERENCES

 FM 22-100 Army Leadership

 FM 101-5 Staff Organization

and Operations (Chapter 5)

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

OUTLINE
 Problem Solving Steps
 Practical Exercise
 Road Blocks to Problem
Solving
 Summary
 Conclusion

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

PROBLEM SOLVING
PROCESS
 1. Recognize And Define The Problem
 2. Gather Facts And Make Assumptions
 3. Define End States And Establish Criteria
 4. Develop Possible Solutions
 5. Analyze And Compare Possible Solutions
 6. Select And Implement Solution
 7. Analyze Solution For Effectiveness

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

#1 WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

What must be done?

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#2 FACTS & ASSUMPTIONS

 Facts- Statements about the

problem known to be true or there
is positive proof.
 Assumptions- Statement used to
replace necessary but missing or
unknown facts.
COMBAT LEADER TEAM
#3 DEFINE END STATE AND
ESTABLISH CRITERIA

 End States identify goals and objectives

 Criteria

• Selection- used to gather valid

solution

• Evaluation- used to compare solutions

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

#4 DEVELOP POSSIBLE
SOLUTIONS

 Brain Storming

 Mind Mapping

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#5 ANALYZE AND COMPARE
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

 Use predetermined evaluation

criteria

 Go back to “Facts and Assumptions”

or “Establish Criteria” if necessary

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

#6 SELECT AND IMPLEMENT
THE BEST SOLUTION

 Make the decision

 Acceptable, Feasible, and Suitable

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

#7 ANALYZE SOLUTION
FOR EFFECTIVENESS

 May take time

 AAR

 If it works, pass it on!

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

PRACTICAL EXERCISE

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

PROBLEM SOLVING
PROCESS
 1. Recognize And Define The Problem
 2. Gather Facts And Make Assumptions
 3. Define End States And Establish Criteria
 4. Develop Possible Solutions
 5. Analyze And Compare Possible Solutions
 6. Select And Implement Solution
 7. Analyze Solution For Effectiveness

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

ROAD BLOCKS TO
PROBLEM SOLVING
 Fear Of Failure  Binding Customs

 Tunnel Vision  Fear Of The

 Over Seriousness Unknown

 Over Certainty  Command Pressure

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

ROAD BLOCKS TO
PROBLEM SOLVING (cont.)

 FAILURE TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM

 FAILURE TO TALK WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE
DEALT WITH THE PROBLEM
 LACK OF ADEQUATE INFORMATION TO MAKE
VALID ASSUMPTIONS
 NOT IDENTIFYING ALL OF THE PLAYERS
 NOT SPECIFYING THE DESIRED ENDSTATE

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

SUMMARY

 Problem Solving
Steps
 Practical Exercise
 Road Blocks to
Problem Solving

COMBAT LEADER TEAM

COMBAT LEADER TEAM
CONCLUSION
The goal is to have high-quality,
acceptable decisions made in
combat and training situations.
The Military Problem Solving
Process helps leaders face complex
problems in situations where
information might be limited.

COMBAT LEADER TEAM