The Global Solutions Framework for Solving Complex Problems

5 Steps of the Problem-Solving Process ❶ Describe the Start State ❷ Describe the Desired End State ❸ Identify Key Constraints ❹ Pose the Challenge Question ❺ Develop a Plan of Action

❶ Describe the Start State On your worksheet, use a combination of words and images to describe what the current situation actually is, what is causing it, and what about it is undesirable.

❶ Describe the Start State Too much recycling going in the school garbage. Confusing rules for what goes where. Too few recycling bins. Not enough time at lunch. Too much effort to use multiple bins. Overflowing Garbage Cans Unnecessary use of landfills Waste left on tables in cafeteria. Custodians need to sort through trash ? •

❶ Describe the Start State

❷ Describe the Desired End State On your worksheet, use a combination of words and images to describe how the situation will be better when the problem is solved. Clearly explain what success looks like and how you will know you have achieved it.

❷ Describe the Desired End State Students take greater responsibility for environment inside and outside of the school. Recyclables are properly sorted. Total garbage produced by the school is minimized. Smell and mess in the school is reduced.

❷ Describe the Desired End State

❸ Identify Key Constraints On your worksheet, list the things that will limit the actions you will be able to take in solving the problem. These may be things that you will not be allowed to do or things that you will be required to do in a certain way. Use any combination of words or images to capture these constraints.

❸ Identify Key Constraints Must work in consultation with support staff in the school because of contractual rules. Must work within limited budget. Recyclables must be sorted by categories because of city rules. No student time away from class to support project; curriculum needs to be met first. No bugs! (Remember the composting incident!) •

❸ Identify Key Constraints

❹ Pose the Challenge Question Consider the most important elements of your Desired End State and the one or two most critical Key Constraints. Combine these to pose your Challenge Question beginning with the phrase “How might we…?” Write this question on your worksheet.

❹ Pose the Challenge Question increase the level of recycling in the school without imposing additional burdens on staff, students, or the school budget?

❹ Pose the Challenge Question

❺ Develop a Plan of Action Write your Challenge Question in the centre of a fresh sheet of chart paper;

❺ Develop a Plan of Action How might we increase the level of recycling in the school without imposing additional burdens on staff, students, or the school budget?

❺ Develop a Plan of Action Write your Challenge Question in the centre of a fresh sheet of chart paper; Brainstorm possible answers to the question;

❺ Develop a Plan of Action Rules of Brainstorming: Stretch your imagination Suspend judgement Produce in quantity Be bold and visual Don’t worry about “ownership” Build on what you see

❺ Develop a Plan of Action How might we increase the level of recycling in the school without imposing additional burdens on staff, students, or the school budget?

❺ Develop a Plan of Action Write your Challenge Question in the centre of a fresh sheet of chart paper; Brainstorm possible answers to the question; Identify themes and sort into clusters;

❺ Develop a Plan of Action How might we increase the level of recycling in the school without imposing additional burdens on staff, students, or the school budget? Better labelling New school rules Curriculum Connections. Awareness Campaigns Community Participation Games and Contests

❺ Develop a Plan of Action Write your Challenge Question in the centre of a fresh sheet of chart paper; Brainstorm possible answers to the question; Identify themes and sort into clusters; Select an idea to develop;

❺ Develop a Plan of Action How might we increase the level of recycling in the school without imposing additional burdens on staff, students, or the school budget? Better labelling New school rules Curriculum Connections. Awareness Campaigns Community Participation Games and Contests

❺ Develop a Plan of Action Write your Challenge Question in the centre of a fresh sheet of chart paper; Brainstorm possible answers to the question; Identify themes and sort into clusters; Select an idea to develop; and Outline your plan.

❺ Develop a Plan of Action The Recycling Arcade: gamify recycling in the school to increase engagement and overcome laziness and complacency. Student council members design and build simple games that award points based on items recycled and subtract points for incorrect items or use of garbage cans. There will be both collective and individual awards donated by the community. We will use recycled materials to build the arcade so no costs will be imposed. The games themselves require sorting. There is no additional work required of support staff. Games can be built on students own time or as part of class projects. Food garbage still goes in the garbage so no bugs!

❺ Develop a Plan of Action Student council members build cardboard recycling games. Games are placed around the cafeteria. Arcade is supervised by student volunteers. Students play games and score points for recycling. Prizes are donated by the community and awarded monthly. Games are changed each semester to maintain interest.

Completed Infographic

Share your Plan of Action In no more than five minutes, using your infographic as a visual aid, tell us about: Your Challenge Question The outline of your idea How your idea works to help meet the Desired End State; and How your idea operates within the Key Constraints.