Concept Generation & Problem Solving Tools by Özlem Aydın Çivi

Outline  Tools for generating ideas and collecting information  Tools for reaching consensus  Tools for data collection and analysis

Given problem Real problem Possible solutions Solution chosen Conceptual design Concept Generation Divergent thinking convergent thinking C.Hales, “Managing engineering design”, 1993

Tools for Idea/Concept Generation  Brainstorming  Brainwriting  Checksheets  Interviewing  Surveying

Creative Thinking (1)  Generate large number of alternatives T. Edison: “It’s easy to obtain 100 patents if you also have 5000 unsuccessful inventions” –Do not detail concepts –Avoid critizing any of the concepts  Perseverance T.Edison: “Invention is 95% perspiration and 5% inspiration”  Mental push-ups –Making lists (ex: twenty different uses of pencil) –Word games (ex: Scrabble) –Solving puzzles –Magic tricks

Creative Thinking (2) – Procedural Techniques  Brainstorming –Generate and list as many ideas as possible –No critism of ideas –No negative reaction  Brainwriting –Each group member writes ideas on papers, then papers are circulated among group members  Story boarding  Random stimulation –Choose a word from newspaper, use it to suggest an idea  Anologies, similar solutions, opposite ideas, adjacent ideas

Tools for reaching consensus (1)  Consensus plays an important role in problem solving. One should say –I believe that you understand my point of view –I believe that I understand your point of view –Whether or not I prefer this decision, I will support it because it was reached openly and fairly.

Tools for reaching consensus (2)  List reduction  Balance sheets  Criteria rating forms  Weighted voting  Paired comparisons

List Reduction List reduction is a way of processing the output of a brainstorming session  Everyone in the group must have a clear understanding of all items in the list  Criteria that should be satisfied for an item to remain in consideration should be indentified  Group members vote on each item, keeping criteria in mind  Process can be repeated with different criteria untill the list is reduced to options

Balance Sheets  It is used to identify and review the pro’s and con’s of a variety of options + - Positive aspects of each alternative Negative aspects of each alternative

Criteria Rating Forms  List the criteria  Rate the alternatives/problems accordingly  Criteria can be treated equally or weighted relative to each other

Criteria Rating Forms Criteria weigths Problem 1 Problem 2 Problem 3 Total points

Weigthed Voting a way to quantify the preferences of group members No decision factors or criteria No discussion to reach agreement on a single number Every group member has same amount of votes to distribute among the options

Weigthed Voting BeachTreckingForeign country Grand parents Mother1023 Father2121 Zeynep4020 Ali1302

Tools for data collection and analysis  Flowcharts  Check sheets  Histograms  Pareto Diagrams  Paired Comparison Analysis  Decision Tree Analysis  Cause and Effect Diagrams  Scatter Diagrams  Control Charts

Flowcharts Picture of process that shows sequence of steps performed START choice Action choice Action end no yes no

Check Sheets Data collection forms TypeWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4 Lost baggage121 Baggage delay6485 Missed Connection2131 Poor cabin service3533 Ticketing error11 Complaints about airline company Ex: J.W.Dean,J.R.Evans, “Total quality management”, 1994

Histograms  Special type of a bar chart  Shows distribution  When to use –To display data collected to analyze problem –To display data collected to evaluate effectiveness of implemented solution

 Arrange the data  Plot frequency info as vertical bars

Pareto Diagrams  Separates “vital few” from “trivial many”  Point out inequalities, used to draw attention to problems in a systematic way

frequency percent Baggage delay Poor cabin service Missed connection Lost baggage Ticketting error Ex: J.W.Dean,J.R.Evans, “Total quality management”, 1994

Cause-and-effect analysis (Fishbone or Ishikawa Diagrams)  Systematic way of looking at effects and the causes  When to use –To identify and verify the factors which are causing the problem –To identify what factors must be present in order to implement the recommended solution

Example of Cause and Effect Diagram Lamp doesn’t turn on Plug/cord Power Lamp Bulb Power outage No house current Unpaid bill Circuit breaker Not pluggedFault in the cord malfunction Not fixed correctly

Scatter Diagrams  Organizes data using two variables: independent and dependent  Pattern shows the correlation between variables # of errors Volume of work Ex: J.W.Dean,J.R.Evans, “Total quality management”, 1994

x y x y x y No correlation negative correlationpositive correlation Scatter Diagrams (2)

Control Charts  Display changes of a particular event over a given period of time.  Displays the state of control of process Lower control limit Average Upper control limit

Questions? Recommended reading:  “Tools and Tactics of Design”, P.Dominick, J.T.Demel et al.