PROBLEM SOLVING TEN STEPS TO SUCCESS

KNOWING A PROBLEM IS A PROBLEM WHEN YOU MEET ONE Does the problem use any reasonably important decision making activity? Say to myself “This is a problem. I need to slow down and think it through?”

PREVIEWING THE OUTCOME Do I look ahead and preview or estimate the outcome? Do I know what the solution will look like?

ASSESSING THE FEASIBILITY Can I solve the problem? Do I need outside help to do so? If so, from whom or from where? How long will it take? How difficult will this be? What are the costs and benefits of solving the problem? Is it worth the effort? What will happen if I try to solve it?

MOBLIZING RESOURCES What do I need to solve the problem? Have I seen this kind of problem before? If so, what have I done before that has worked well?

THINKING LOGICALLY If I do this, then … How did I come to that conclusion? Can I think of any good analogies that would explain what I did or how you solved the problem?

CONSIDERING DIFFERENT STRATEGIES AND PICKING THE BEST ONE Did I consider more than one approach? Why don’t I try doing this, and if that doesn’t work then … I can always try that other approach or try the one I just thought of.

STARTING AND PACING Slow down my thinking and figure things out logically – step by step Cool it and think more slowly before making decisions.

SELF-MONITORING Am I getting anywhere with this? Am I on the right track? How is it coming along? Is this the right or best answer? Does my answer make sense? Have I done a good enough job with this? Do I think I could make a better approach?

DEALING WITH IMPASSES How do I respond when problem solving encounters an obstacle? What happens when a selected strategy has stopped working? Do I have an alternative plan? Am I flexible?

ARRIVING AT THE SOLUTION Can I think of the different times and places where this kind of problem solving can be used again? Do I pace myself or rush through a problem? Do I have a strategy or do I do the first thing that comes to mind? Do I preview or do I have no way of estimating the answer?

PROBLEM SOLVING CHECKLIST Did I rush through this? Did I use my strategies? Did I estimate or preview my answer?