UNCLASSIFIED As of W Feb 08 1 Problem Solving and the Planning Process 13 Feb 08 Multinational Planning Augmentation Team (MPAT)

UNCLASSIFIED As of W Feb 08 2 Purpose To discuss the basic elements of how people solve problems. Link how people solve problems to a planning process.

UNCLASSIFIED As of W Feb 08 3 Problem Solving Theory Identify the problem Determine endstate or goal Develop possible solutions Select and implement a solution Assess effectiveness of the solution

UNCLASSIFIED As of W Feb 08 4 Problem Solving Theory Identify Problem Determine Endstate Develop Possible Solutions Select & Implement Solution Assess Effectiveness “What is the problem?” “Where do we want to go?” “How can we get there?” “Which way do we go?” “Are we there yet?”

UNCLASSIFIED As of W Feb 08 5 Identify the problem Extremely important Poor identification causes poor solutions Requires thinking and openness “Is it just a flood…?” “Or does this flood have long term impacts like…food security, dengue fever outbreaks, decreased tourism confidence, etc.?” Identify Problem

UNCLASSIFIED As of W Feb 08 6 Determine Endstate or Goal What should the situation look like when we solve the problem? – Do we restore to original conditions? – Do we relocate or abandon the original conditions? – Or do we improve the situation beyond the original conditions? Critical to our ability to assess progress Determine Endstate

UNCLASSIFIED As of W Feb 08 7 Develop Possible Solutions Requires creativity Uses a deliberate or intuitive process Based on knowledge of the problem Suitable, Acceptable, Feasible, Complete Develop Possible Solutions

UNCLASSIFIED As of W Feb 08 8 Select and Implement a Solution Pick a solution –Requires decisiveness Translate the solution to action –Clear communication –Clear methods of control –Clear definitions of responsibility Select & Implement Solution

UNCLASSIFIED As of W Feb 08 9 Assess effectiveness of the solution “How do we know when we have finished?” What do we assess? –The effectiveness of our actions –The change in the situation or environment –Proximity to our endstate or goal What if our solution is not working? If it is, who determines when we are finished? Assess Effectiveness

UNCLASSIFIED As of W Feb Problem Solving in Large Organizations How does your organization solve problems? Hire a genius? By committee ? Roll Dice?

UNCLASSIFIED As of W Feb Linking to a Planning Process Planning is the activity of preparing for future actions or contingencies Perhaps the organization uses a planning process to solve problems… A Planning Process provides rigor, structure, and consistency to problem solving Large organizations benefit from a common understanding of problem solving

UNCLASSIFIED As of W Feb Steps in the process Mission Analysis COA Dev COA Analysis COA Comparison Orders Development Receipt of Mission Higher Commander’s Warning Order, Operation Plan or Order Commander’s Operation Plan or Order COA Approval 7 Identify Problem Determine Endstate Develop Possible Solutions Select & Implement Solution Assess Effectiveness

UNCLASSIFIED As of W Feb 08 Discussion