Problem Solving Behavior Designers problem solving styles Introvert

Problem Solving Behavior ¬ Designer’s problem solving styles – Introvert • Reflective, quiet, thinks and speaks, likes to have time alone to solve problems - Has difficulty thinking while under pressure. • Must be encouraged to speak in teams.

Problem Solving Behavior ¬ Designer’s problem solving styles – Extrovert • Speaks before thinking, does not listen, sociable • 75% of people, 48% of engineering students • Must be encouraged to listen in teams

Problem Solving Behavior ¬ Fact-oriented people – Literal, practical, realistic, deal with detail, sometimes lose the big picture – 75% of Americans, 66% of top executives, 34% of engineering students – Must be encouraged to see the big picture, plan ahead, set goals

Problem Solving Behavior ¬ Possibility-oriented people – Generate ideas, don’t like to work on details, are not specific, do not stick to one issue – Must be encouraged to work on details once decisions are made and let go of new idea generation

Problem Solving Behavior ¬ Objective approach – Logical, data-based, analytical decision makers. – 51% of American, 68% of engineering students, 95% of top executives. – Must be encouraged to pay attention to gut feelings of other team members - feelings are often right and must be explored.

Problem Solving Behavior ¬ Subjective approach – Makes decisions based on gut feeling – Must be reassured that their contribution is appreciated. – Must be reassured that discussions about ideas are not personal attacks

Problem Solving Behavior ¬ Decisive decision maker – Makes decisions without stress. Jumps to conclusion quickly without thinking through – Must be encouraged to express their decision making process. Let them organize data collection and review – 50% of Americans, 64% of engineering students, and 88% of top executives.

Problem Solving Behavior ¬ Flexible decision makers – Finds sticking with decisions difficult, procrastinates, goes with the flow – Must be encouraged to decide and live with it. Must be given time and deadline to decide. Must be helped by decisive decision makers

Creative Designers ¬Creative solution – A solution that solves the problem and is original

Creative Designers ¬Creativity and other attributes – Design-ability and intelligence • No relationship – Design-ability and visualization ability • Creative designers show high degree of ability to easily manipulate images in their minds.

Creative Designers ¬Creativity and other attributes – Design-ability and knowledge • To be creative in a specific domain, one must be knowledgeable in that domain. Otherwise ideas can not be adequately evaluated. – Design-ability and risk taking • Better designs may be a result of seemingly unworkable ideas. Take risk, experiment, explore, persist.

Creativity ¬ Design-ability and conformity – Obstructive non-conformist: “It will not work” – Constructive non-conformist: “Here is a better idea” ¬ Design-ability and technique – Good technique means seeking other alternatives and not giving up easily ¬ Design-ability and environment – How many truly creative designs have been accidentally discovered?