1. The Global Solutions Framework for Solving Complex Problems

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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 ? •

5. ❶ Describe the Start State

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. ❷ Describe the Desired End State

9. 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.

10. 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!) •

11. ❸ Identify Key Constraints

12. 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.

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

14. ❹ Pose the Challenge Question

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

16. 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?

17. 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;

18. 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

19. 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?

20. 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;

21. 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

22. 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;

23. 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

24. 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.

25. 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!

26. 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.

27. Completed Infographic

28. 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.