6 Step Problem Solving Process 1 6 5

6 Step Problem Solving Process 1 6 5 1/28/2014 2 4 3 6 Step Problem Solving Process 1

Why Use a Problem Solving Process? • Upfront thought & planning of “what is the problem” helps prevent misdirected decisions & actions which – May not solve the problem – May delay project completion – May result in a bad grade for MSD students (worse in industry) • The PSP works well with Teams since all members get involved • Can be used anytime the “desired state” is not realized • The PSP should be used on the most serious problems since rigor is involved • Helps in solving technical or non-technical problems 1/28/2014 6 Step Problem Solving Process 2

6 Step Problem Solving Process Identifying & Selecting Problem PSP 1 Evaluating Solution PSP 6 Implementing Solution PSP 5 Selecting & Planning Solution PSP 4 1/28/2014 Analyzing Problem PSP 2 Generating Potential Solutions PSP 3 6 Step Problem Solving Process 3

Identifying & Selecting Problem PSP Step 1 • The Team develops a statement of the problem • Problem statement is clearly understood by all Team members • The Team may also develop a statement of the “desired state” to be achieved by solving the problem • This step involves exploring, clarifying, describing & developing an understanding of the problem • Tools commonly used are – – 1/28/2014 Brainstorming Brain Writing Surveying Others? -- Weighted Voting -- Interviewing -- List Reduction 6 Step Problem Solving Process 4

Analyzing the Problem PSP Step 2 • The Team needs to specify & collect the data necessary to analyze the problem • The Team identifies the key causes • This step involves assembling & evaluating the information, gathering the facts & diagramming data • Tools commonly used are – Histograms -- Pareto Analysis -- Check Sheets -- Process Flow Diagrams -- Cause & Effect Diagrams (a. k. a. Fishbone Diagrams) -- Others? 1/28/2014 6 Step Problem Solving Process 5

Example – “Car won’t start” • We get into our car, put the keys into the ignition, turn the key, and the car won’t start • Everyone in the car agrees the problem is that the “car won’t start” – PSP Step 1 • The “Car Team” brainstormed what could cause the car not to start – Dead battery -- Broken starter -- Loose terminal – Starter cable off -- Broken ignition switch -- Bad starter – Bad alternator -- Loose alternator belt -- others? • From the above, a “check sheet” was formed and the Car Team checked out all of the above & it was a found to be a “loose alternator belt” – PSP Step 2 1/28/2014 6 Step Problem Solving Process 6

Generating Potential Solutions PSP Step 3 • Team produces as many ideas to solve the cause of the problem - wild ideas are welcome • This step involves non-evaluative thinking – Building on Others Ideas -- Elaborating – Creative Thinking -- “off the wall” ideas • Tools commonly used are – – 1/28/2014 Brainstorming -- Brain Writing Benchmarking -- Brainstorming Interviewing -- others? Brainstorming…”in case we forget” 6 Step Problem Solving Process 7

Selecting & Planning Solution PSP Step 4 • Team objectively decides on & plans optimum solution • Tools commonly used to decide on the solution – – List Reduction -- Weighted Voting Criteria Weighting Form -- Balance Sheet Cost/benefit Analysis -- Paired Comparison ***Pugh Concept Selection*** • Tools commonly used to plan the solution – Gantt Chart – Flowchart 1/28/2014 -- PERT Chart -- others? 6 Step Problem Solving Process 8

Implementing the Solution PSP Step 5 • Team to implement the selected solution in PSP Step 4 • Team to monitor the solution according to the plan in PSP Step 4 • Tools commonly used to implement the solution – Action Item list – Progress Reports – Others? 1/28/2014 -- Data Collection -- Progress Against Gantt 6 Step Problem Solving Process 9

Evaluating the Solution PSP Step 6 • The Team learns how effective its solution solved the problem • The Team reports on what has been accomplished & asking such questions as – “will the problem stay solved? ” – “does the implemented solution cause other problems? ” 1/28/2014 6 Step Problem Solving Process 10

Problem Tracking Methods • There are several methods which could be used to track problem resolution using PSP – Problem Tracking spreadsheet (especially if you are tracking multiple problems) presented at weekly meetings – Action Item spreadsheet with a PSP column for Step Number – Line item on a Gantt Chart with 6 mileposts – Other methods agreed upon with the Team and the Guide 1/28/2014 6 Step Problem Solving Process 11

Problem Tracking Spreadsheet 1/28/2014 6 Step Problem Solving Process 12

6 Step PSP = Senior Design Problem Solving Process • 1) Identifying & Selecting Problem - PSP Step 1 • 2) Analyzing the Problem - PSP Step 2 • 3) Generating Potential Solutions - PSP Step 3 • 4) Selecting & Planning Solution - PSP Step 4 • 5) Implementing the Solution PSP Step 5 • 6) Evaluating the Solution - PSP Step 6 1/28/2014 Senior Design • 1) Understanding Customer Needs (MSD 1) • 2) Developing Specifications (MSD 1) • 3) Brainstorming Solutions to meet Customer Needs (MSD 1) • 4) Pugh Concept Selection & SDR/SSDR/DDR (MSD 1 & 2) • 5) Ordering/Building Systems, Parts & Components (MSD 2) • 6) Testing/Reporting on Selected Concept (MSD 2) 6 Step Problem Solving Process 13

Back-up 1/28/2014 6 Step Problem Solving Process 14

A PERT chart is a project management tool used to schedule, organize, and coordinate tasks within a project. PERT stands for Program Evaluation Review Technique, a methodology developed by the U. S. Navy in the 1950 s to manage the Polaris submarine missile program. A similar methodology, the Critical Path Method (CPM) was developed for project management in the private sector at about the same time. 1/28/2014 6 Step Problem Solving Process 15