Problem Solving Models Tools Fred Nickols A Webinar

Problem Solving Models & Tools Fred Nickols A Webinar for Faculty at University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff April 23, 2020

Overview • Dewey’s Approach • Polya’s Approach • Problem Solving VALUE Rubric • 13 Models • 24 Tools • Some Questions to Ponder • Concluding Remarks 2

John Dewey’s Process 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The Occurrence of a Difficulty Definition of the Difficulty Occurrence of a Suggested Explanation or Possible Solution The Rational Elaboration of an Idea Corroboration of an Idea and a Concluding Belief (Acceptance or Rejection) Source: How We Think (Chapter Six) 3

George Polya’s Process (1945) 4

The Train Problem 5

The Train Problem Diagram 6

Problem Solving VALUE Rubric Phases Capstone 4 Milestone 3 Milestone 2 Benchmark 1 Define the Problem The quality of the problem statement and the coverage of the relevant contextual details Identify Strategies The number of approaches identified and their fit within a specific context Propose Solutions The number and quality of the solutions proposed and their fit with the definition of the problem and the contextual factors Evaluate Solutions The quality of the evaluation of the solutions, especially their depth and thoroughness Implement Solution The depth and thoroughness with which the implementation addresses the contextual factors Evaluate Outcomes The extent to which the review of results addresses the problem defined and the need for additional work 7

Social Work Problem Solving Model 8

Questions? 9

Problem-Solving Models 1. Analytical Problem-Solving Approach – FEMA 2. ASQ Four Step Problem. Solving Process 3. Creative Problem Solving (CPS) – Mind Tools 4. Fred Nickols’ Four Step Model 5. The IDEAL Problem Solver 6. Kepner-Tregoe Method 7. Lean Six Sigma (DMAIC Model) 8. Managing the Problem. Solving Process – AT&T 9. Six-Step Problem-Solving Model 10. Solution Engineering • The Process • The “Bases” 11. Synectics 12. Technological Method 13. TRIZ 10

Analytical Method - FEMA 11

ASQ Four Step Method 12

Creative Problem Solving 13

Fred Nickols’ Four-Step Model 14

The Ideal Problem Solver 15

Kepner-Tregoe Method 16

Lean Six Sigma DMAIC Process 17

MPSP (AT&T) 18

Six-Step Model 19

Solution Engineering Process 20

The Problem-Solving “Bases” 21

Synectics The Nine Phases 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Problem as Given Making the Strange Familiar Problem as Understood Operational Mechanisms The Familiar Made Strange Psychological States Integrated with Problem Viewpoint Solution or Research Target 22

Technological Method 23

TRIZ is Russian for “Theory of Inventive Problem Solving” 24

What Have We Learned? • Some Commonalities: • • • Define/Identify the Problem Find the Causes Generate Alternative Solutions/Strategies Select One Implement and Evaluate Reflect or Look Back • These are all a fit with the AACU Problem Solving VALUE Rubric. • Creative vs Structured Approaches • Teams vs Individuals 25

Questions? 26

Problem Solving Tools 1. Affinity Diagram 2. Benchmarking 3. Brainstorming 4. Check Sheet/Tally Sheet 5. Control Chart/Shewhart Chart 6. Decision Trees 7. Fishbone/Ishikawa Diagram 8. Five Whys 9. Flowchart 10. Force-Field Analysis 11. Gantt Chart 12. Goals Grid 13. Histogram 14. Mindmap 15. Nominal Group Technique 16. Paired Comparison 17. Pareto Chart 18. Relationship Diagram 19. Run Chart 20. Scatter Plot 21. Standard Data Displays 22. Stratification 23. Tree Chart 24. Weighted Comparison 27

Tool Categories • Visualizing Structural Relationships • Capturing and Displaying Information • Problem Solving 28

Visualizing Structural Relationships 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Affinity Diagrams Fishbone/Ishikawa Diagrams Flowcharts Mindmaps Relationship Diagrams Tree Diagrams 29

Affinity Diagram 30

Fishbone Diagram 31

Flowchart 32

Mindmap 33

Relationship Diagram 34

Tree Chart 35

Questions? 36

Capturing & Displaying Information 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Check Sheet/Tally Sheet Control Charts Gantt Chart Histograms Pareto Charts Run Charts 7. Scattergrams 8. Standard Data Displays • Bar Charts • Line Graphs • Pie Charts 9. Stratification 37

Check Sheet/Tally Sheet 38

Control Chart/Shewhart Chart 39

Gantt Chart 40

Histogram 41

Pareto Analysis & Chart 42

Run Chart 43

Scatter Plot 44

Standard Data Displays 45

Stratification 46

Questions? 47

Problem-Solving Tools 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Benchmarking Brainstorming Decision Trees Five Whys Force-Field Analysis Goals Grid Nominal Group Technique (NGT) Paired Comparisons Weighted Comparisons 48

Benchmarking 49

Brainstorming 50

Brainstorming Guidelines 51

Decision Tree 52

Five Why’s – Root Cause Analysis 53

Force-Field Analysis 54

Goals Grid 55

Nominal Group Technique 56

Paired Comparisons 57

Weighted Comparison 58

Questions? 59

Closing Remarks Covered 13 Models Reviewed 24 Tools Materials Already on Assessment Site • • This Power. Point File The 13 Models The 24 Tools Polya’s Techniques 60

Questions to Ponder Do you currently teach problem solving to your students? How often or frequently do you teach it? Is it taught separately or as an integral part of the discipline being taught? Which problem-solving method(s) do you teach? Which instructional method(s) do you use? 61

Contact Information Fred Nickols Managing Partner Distance Consulting, LLC “Assistance at a Distance” 922 Country Club Drive Howard, OH 43028 fred@nickols. us www. nickols. us (740) 504 -0000 “My Objective is to Help You Achieve Yours” 62

Concluding Remarks Steve Lochmann 63