Problem Solving - Study Guide

Front 1

Problem Statement Structure:

Back 1

- Whatkind of machine/mechanism/working principle

- Whoare the customers

-Whatare the limitations and requirements for the solution

Front 2

What are the problem solving approaches we use each day?

Back 2

- Intuitive

- Learned or Taught Solutions (Simple, don't require innovation)

Front 3

What is the second most important part of creating a problem statement?

Back 3

- The use of sub-problems

Front 4

The 5 Overarching Needs of Humans (Maslow)?

Back 4

1. Physiological (Hunger, thirst, etc).

2. Safety

3. Communication

4. Self-esteem and ego (satisfy the self and the ego)

5. Self-realization

These are where inventions originate fromand what problem statements are for

Front 5

What kinds of products stem from the need of human's self-esteem?

Back 5

1) Luxury goods

2) Design and brand name

3) Achievements

Front 6

True or False: Problems have more than just one right answer.

Back 6

True

Front 7

How do "hot-heads" approach problem solving? What is the alternative?

Back 7

Direct Problem Solving (first, simple answer and done). Alternative is Creative Problem Solving

Front 8

What is brainstorming?

Back 8

- 3 to 8 People work in a group for 30 to 40 minutes (Initial Phase of Work)

Front 9

What is the goal of brainstorming?

Back 9

Get as many solutions as possible. Evaluate and discuss each idea after the brainstorming session. Very general.

Front 10

What are some good brainstorming rules?

Back 10

1) Don't critique the ideas

2) Write down all the ideas

3) Describe ideas as short as possible

4) participants should be eager and ready to participate

Front 11

What happens at the end of brainstorming?

Back 11

1) Ideas similar in nature or mechanism are grouped together

2) Evaluate the ideas and decide which to choose

3)

Front 12

What are the advantages of brainstorming?

Back 12

- The problem is discussed by many experts in the field

-

Front 13

What is the 6-3-5 Brain Writing Method?

Back 13

6 Creative People Draw 3 solution sketches on paper in 5 minutes and exchange the paper

Time: 30 minutes, Result: 108 Different Solutions

Best for Early Stage Brainstorming

Front 14

What is the goal of the 6-3-5 Method?

Back 14

To generate as many ideas as possible.

Front 15

What is the team think method?

Back 15

1) Description and Collection of Information (All facts are written on small papers)

2) Categorizing the Facts

3) Making a Scheme (Groups with the most connectsions are placed next to each other)

4) Explaining a Scheme

Front 16

What is variability?

Back 16

Thedevelopment of an existing solution and the search for alternative solutionsand options. We look at how to improve specific features.

Different variations are used for solving different problems.

Front 17

How can we use variability?

Back 17

Look at a component of the product and focus on making that variable or improved.

1) Look for existing solutions in similar fields

2) Look for solutions in other fields

3) Theoretical (Sci-fi esque) ideas

4) Flora and fauna (Nature)

Front 18

True or False: Reverse engineering a product can provide a solution.

Back 18

True

- Try creating the opposite solution, turning everything upside down, reverse the activities, polarity, and direction of the forces

Front 19

What is the purpose of variability?

Back 19

1) It is best applied to improving existing products

2) Find solutions in similar fields

3) Find solutions in other fields

4) Reverse systems

Front 20

What can mind mapping be used for?

Back 20

Suitable for thoroughly describing a problem or solution. Results in a map or chart displaying solution.

Front 21

Name a few programs for problem mapping:

Back 21

- Trina Code (Open-source, can add audio + visual)

- MindJet MindManager (More visual composer)

- SciPlore MindMapping (Free, can integrate onilne links)

- FreeMind

- XMind

- EDraw Max

Front 22

True or False: It is possible to analyze a complex solution completely.

Back 22

FALSE. It is impossible to analyze a solution completely.

Front 23

True or False: There is a 100%, certain way to find the best solution

Back 23

False. No one approach works everytime. Although some are faster than others.

Front 24

Result Evaluation Requirements:

1) Sketch and describe all possible solutions with the same level of detail.

2) Make sketches clear and understandable.

3) Facts about the users must be the same

4) Use an evaluation matrix to compare

Back 24

5)

6)

7)

8)

Front 25

9)

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12)

13)

Back 25

14)

15)

16)

Front 26

What are the evaluation matrix benefits?

Back 26

- encourages the evaluation of all solutions

- Increased number of evaluation criteria improves reliability

Front 27

One tip for professional result evaluation?

Back 27

- Be consistent, accurate and thorough in each phase of evaluation.

- Increase the level of detail with each evaluation cycle

Front 28

Thinking Preferences in the Brain:

A?

Back 28

A - Analytical Thinkers: Solution Oriented, like results, analytical, critical, logical.

They enjoy: algebra, mathematics, law, finances

Speak: to the main point of the problem, based on facts.

Overall: materialistic, rigid, academic, strict

Front 29

Thinking Preferences in the Brain:

B?

Back 29

B - Sequential Thinkers: Final product and manufacturing oriented, organized, consistent, controlled, conservative, rigid.

Enjoy: well structured and logical disciplines

Speak: We have always done it this way, self discipline is necessary, avoid risk

Overall: traditional, bureaucratic, confident, reliable

Front 30

Thinking Preferences in the Brain:

C?

Back 30

C - Human Centered: oriented towards people, feelings, values, teamwork, good body language, communicative

Enjoy: social sciences, dancing, music, theater

Speak: family values, mental values, working in teams, they talk A LOT

Overall: humane, sensitive, open, cooperative

Front 31

Thinking Preferences in the Brain:

D?

Back 31

D - Visual Thinkers: Oriented towards innovation and the future, imagining, visualizing, creative, risk takers, dreamers, intuitive.

Enjoy: art, geometry, construction, architecture

Speak: play with ideas, we dream of, we need to change

Overall: independent, investigative, future, playful,risk takers

Front 32

True or False: Thinking preferences are only advantages for people in the field.

Back 32

True! Competence comes when one has the will to learn and practices.

Front 33

True or False: Problem solving is best when two parts of the brain are working together.

Back 33

False. When all four are working, this is the best.

Front 34

How can workgroups be successful?

Back 34

1) members must feel ready to fill their roles

2) know a person's inclinations

3) role distribution must be balanced

Front 35

Difference between converging and diverging thinking?

Back 35

Converging (one solution to a problem): search in a confined field, closed when working, problem oriented, rational

Diverging (Many solutions to a problem) : search in an unfixed field, open when working, solution oriented, intuitive

Front 36

Difference between focused and flexible thinking?

Back 36

Focused: tense, exact, narrow focus,one goal at a time, demands unambiguity

Flexible: free, uses sketches, visual, wide focus, ambiguity is okay

Front 37

Difference between direct/straight forward and vague/fuzzy thinking?

Back 37

Direct: looks for correct answers, strict rules, follows rules, closed area of solutions

Vague: looks for suitable answers, free thinking paths, looks for rule exceptions, open area of solutions

Front 38

Difference between sequential and holistic thinking?

Back 38

Sequential: strict sequence of activities, step-by-step, prefers one POV, moves forward step-by-step

Holistic: free sequence of activities, views everything at the same time, considers different opinions, jumps back and forth