engineer problem solving methods

• What is Chemical and Biological Engineering?
• Engineering problem solving
• Error and uncertainty
• Process variables
• Process Fundamentals
• Material Balances
• Reacting systems
• Reaction kinetics
• Reactor design
• Bioreactors
• Fluids and fluid flow
• Mass transfer
• Energy balances
• Heat transfer
• Heat exchangers
• Mechanical energy balances
• Process safety
• Engineering ethics
• Sustainability
• Engineering in a global context
• How ‘good’ a solution do you need
• Steps in solving well-defined engineering process problems, including textbook problems
• « What is Chemi...
• Teamwork »

Engineering Problem Solving ¶

Some problems are so complex that you have to be highly intelligent and well-informed just to be undecided about them. —Laurence J. Peter

Steps in solving ‘real world’ engineering problems ¶

The following are the steps as enumerated in your textbook:

Collaboratively define the problem

List possible solutions

Evaluate and rank the possible solutions

Develop a detailed plan for the most attractive solution(s)

Re-evaluate the plan to check desirability

Implement the plan

Check the results

A critical part of the analysis process is the ‘last’ step: checking and verifying the results.

Depending on the circumstances, errors in an analysis, procedure, or implementation can have significant, adverse consequences (NASA Mars orbiter crash, Bhopal chemical leak tragedy, Hubble telescope vision issue, Y2K fiasco, BP oil rig blowout, …).

In a practical sense, these checks must be part of a comprehensive risk management strategy.

My experience with problem solving in industry was pretty close to this, though encumbered by numerous business practices (e.g., ‘go/no-go’ tollgates, complex approval processes and procedures).

In addition, solving problems in the ‘real world’ requires a multidisciplinary effort, involving people with various expertise: engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, legal, marketing, product service and warranty, …

Exercise: Problem solving

Step 3 above refers to ranking of alternatives.

Think of an existing product of interest.

What do you think was ranked highest when the product was developed?

Consider what would have happened if a different ranking was used. What would have changed about the product?

Brainstorm ideas with the students around you.

Defining problems collaboratively ¶

Especially in light of global engineering , we need to consider different perspectives as we define our problem. Let’s break the procedure down into steps:

Identify each perspective that is involved in the decision you face. Remember that problems often mean different things in different perspectives. Relevant differences might include national expectations, organizational positions, disciplines, career trajectories, etc. Consider using the mnemonic device “Location, Knowledge, and Desire.”

Location : Who is defining the problem? Where are they located or how are they positioned? How do they get in their positions? Do you know anything about the history of their positions, and what led to the particular configuration of positions you have today on the job? Where are the key boundaries among different types of groups, and where are the alliances?

Knowledge : What forms of knowledge do the representatives of each perspective have? How do they understand the problem at hand? What are their assumptions? From what sources did they gain their knowledge? How did their knowledge evolve?

Desire : What do the proponents of each perspective want? What are their objectives? How do these desires develop? Where are they trying to go? Learn what you can about the history of the issue at hand. Who might have gained or lost ground in previous encounters? How does each perspective view itself at present in relation to those it envisions as relevant to its future?

As formal problem definitions emerge, ask “Whose definition is this?” Remember that “defining the problem clearly” may very well assert one perspective at the expense of others. Once we think about problem solving in relation to people, we can begin to see that the very act of drawing a boundary around a problem has non-technical, or political dimensions, depending on who controls the definition, because someone gains a little power and someone loses a little power.

Map what alternative problem definitions mean to different participants. More than likely you will best understand problem definitions that fit your perspective. But ask “Does it fit other perspectives as well?” Look at those who hold Perspective A. Does your definition fit their location, their knowledge, and their desires? Now turn to those who hold Perspective B. Does your definition fit their location, knowledge, and desires? Completing this step is difficult because it requires stepping outside of one’s own perspective and attempting to understand the problem in terms of different perspectives.

To the extent you encounter disagreement or conclude that the achievement of it is insufficient, begin asking yourself the following: How might I adapt my problem definition to take account of other perspectives out there? Is there some way of accommodating myself to other perspectives rather than just demanding that the others simply recognize the inherent value and rationality of mine? Is there room for compromise among contrasting perspectives?

How ‘good’ a solution do you need ¶

There is also an important aspect of real-world problem solving that is rarely articulated and that is the idea that the ‘quality’ of the analysis and the resources expended should be dependent on the context.

This is difficult to assess without some experience in the particular environment.

How ‘Good’ a Solution Do You Need?

Some rough examples:

10 second answer (answering a question at a meeting in front of your manager or vice president)

10 minute answer (answering a quick question from a colleague)

10 hour answer (answering a request from an important customer)

10 day answer (assembling information as part of a trouble-shooting team)

10 month answer (putting together a comprehensive portfolio of information as part of the design for a new $200,000,000 chemical plant)

Steps in solving well-defined engineering process problems, including textbook problems ¶

Essential steps:

Carefully read the problem statement (perhaps repeatedly) until you understand exactly the scenario and what is being asked.

Translate elements of the word problem to symbols. Also, look for key words that may convey additional information, e.g., ‘steady state’, ‘constant density’, ‘isothermal’. Make note of this additional information on your work page.

Draw a diagram. This can generally be a simple block diagram showing all the input, output, and connecting streams.

Write all known quantities (flow rates, densities, etc.) from step 2 in the appropriate locations on, or near, the diagram. If symbols are used to designate known quantities, include those symbols.

Identify and assign symbols to all unknown quantities and write them in the appropriate locations on, or near, the diagram.

Construct the relevant equation(s). These could be material balances, energy balances, rate equations, etc.

Write down all equations in their general forms. Don’t simplify anything yet.

Discard terms that are equal to zero (or are assumed negligible) for your specific problem and write the simplified equations.

Replace remaining terms with more convenient forms (because of the given information or selected symbols).

Construct equations to express other known relationships between variables, e.g., relationships between stoichiometric coefficients, the sum of species mass fractions must be one.

Whenever possible, solve the equations for the unknown(s) algebraically .

Convert the units of your variables as needed to have a consistent set across your equations.

Substitute these values into the equation(s) from step 7 to get numerical results.

Check your answer.

Does it make sense?

Are the units of the answer correct?

Is the answer consistent with other information you have?

Exercise: Checking results

How do you know your answer is right and that your analysis is correct?

This may be relatively easy for a homework problem, but what about your analysis for an ill-defined ‘real-world’ problem?

FREE K-12 standards-aligned STEM

curriculum for educators everywhere!

Find more at TeachEngineering.org .

• TeachEngineering
• Problem Solving

Lesson Problem Solving

Grade Level: 8 (6-8)

(two 40-minute class periods)

Lesson Dependency: The Energy Problem

Subject Areas: Physical Science, Science and Technology

• Print lesson and its associated curriculum

Curriculum in this Unit Units serve as guides to a particular content or subject area. Nested under units are lessons (in purple) and hands-on activities (in blue). Note that not all lessons and activities will exist under a unit, and instead may exist as "standalone" curriculum.

• Energy Forms and States Demonstrations
• Energy Conversions
• Watt Meters to Measure Energy Consumption
• Household Energy Audit
• Light vs. Heat Bulbs
• Efficiency of an Electromechanical System
• Efficiency of a Water Heating System
• Solving Energy Problems
• Energy Projects

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Engineering connection, learning objectives, worksheets and attachments, more curriculum like this, introduction/motivation, associated activities, user comments & tips.

Scientists, engineers and ordinary people use problem solving each day to work out solutions to various problems. Using a systematic and iterative procedure to solve a problem is efficient and provides a logical flow of knowledge and progress.

• Students demonstrate an understanding of the Technological Method of Problem Solving.
• Students are able to apply the Technological Method of Problem Solving to a real-life problem.

Educational Standards Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards. All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN) , a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org). In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g. , by state; within source by type; e.g. , science or mathematics; within type by subtype, then by grade, etc .

Ngss: next generation science standards - science.

View aligned curriculum

Do you agree with this alignment? Thanks for your feedback!

International Technology and Engineering Educators Association - Technology

State standards, national science education standards - science.

Scientists, engineers, and ordinary people use problem solving each day to work out solutions to various problems. Using a systematic and iterative procedure to solve a problem is efficient and provides a logical flow of knowledge and progress.

In this unit, we use what is called "The Technological Method of Problem Solving." This is a seven-step procedure that is highly iterative—you may go back and forth among the listed steps, and may not always follow them in order. Remember that in most engineering projects, more than one good answer exists. The goal is to get to the best solution for a given problem. Following the lesson conduct the associated activities Egg Drop and Solving Energy Problems for students to employ problem solving methods and techniques. 

Lesson Background and Concepts for Teachers

The overall concept that is important in this lesson is: Using a standard method or procedure to solve problems makes the process easier and more effective.

The specific process of problem solving used in this unit was adapted from an eighth-grade technology textbook written for New York State standard technology curriculum. The process is shown in Figure 1, with details included below. The spiral shape shows that this is an iterative, not linear, process. The process can skip ahead (for example, build a model early in the process to test a proof of concept) and go backwards (learn more about the problem or potential solutions if early ideas do not work well).

This process provides a reference that can be reiterated throughout the unit as students learn new material or ideas that are relevant to the completion of their unit projects.

Brainstorming about what we know about a problem or project and what we need to find out to move forward in a project is often a good starting point when faced with a new problem. This type of questioning provides a basis and relevance that is useful in other energy science and technology units. In this unit, the general problem that is addressed is the fact that Americans use a lot of energy, with the consequences that we have a dwindling supply of fossil fuels, and we are emitting a lot of carbon dioxide and other air pollutants. The specific project that students are assigned to address is an aspect of this problem that requires them to identify an action they can take in their own live to reduce their overall energy (or fossil fuel) consumption.

The Seven Steps of Problem Solving

1.  Identify the problem

Clearly state the problem. (Short, sweet and to the point. This is the "big picture" problem, not the specific project you have been assigned.)

2.  Establish what you want to achieve

• Completion of a specific project that will help to solve the overall problem.
• In one sentence answer the following question: How will I know I've completed this project?
• List criteria and constraints: Criteria are things you want the solution to have. Constraints are limitations, sometimes called specifications, or restrictions that should be part of the solution. They could be the type of materials, the size or weight the solution must meet, the specific tools or machines you have available, time you have to complete the task and cost of construction or materials.

3.  Gather information and research

• Research is sometimes needed both to better understand the problem itself as well as possible solutions.
• Don't reinvent the wheel – looking at other solutions can lead to better solutions.
• Use past experiences.

4.  Brainstorm possible solutions

List and/or sketch (as appropriate) as many solutions as you can think of.

5.  Choose the best solution

Evaluate solution by: 1) Comparing possible solution against constraints and criteria 2) Making trade-offs to identify "best."

6.  Implement the solution

• Develop plans that include (as required): drawings with measurements, details of construction, construction procedure.
• Define tasks and resources necessary for implementation.
• Implement actual plan as appropriate for your particular project.

7.  Test and evaluate the solution

• Compare the solution against the criteria and constraints.
• Define how you might modify the solution for different or better results.
• Egg Drop - Use this demonstration or activity to introduce and use the problem solving method. Encourages creative design.
• Solving Energy Problems - Unit project is assigned and students begin with problem solving techniques to begin to address project. Mostly they learn that they do not know enough yet to solve the problem.
• Energy Projects - Students use what they learned about energy systems to create a project related to identifying and carrying out a personal change to reduce energy consumption.

The results of the problem solving activity provide a basis for the entire semester project. Collect and review the worksheets to make sure that students are started on the right track.

Learn the basics of the analysis of forces engineers perform at the truss joints to calculate the strength of a truss bridge known as the “method of joints.” Find the tensions and compressions to solve systems of linear equations where the size depends on the number of elements and nodes in the trus...

Through role playing and problem solving, this lesson sets the stage for a friendly competition between groups to design and build a shielding device to protect humans traveling in space. The instructor asks students—how might we design radiation shielding for space travel?

A process for technical problem solving is introduced and applied to a fun demonstration. Given the success with the demo, the iterative nature of the process can be illustrated.

The culminating energy project is introduced and the technical problem solving process is applied to get students started on the project. By the end of the class, students should have a good perspective on what they have already learned and what they still need to learn to complete the project.

Hacker, M, Barden B., Living with Technology , 2nd edition. Albany NY: Delmar Publishers, 1993.

Other Related Information

This lesson was originally published by the Clarkson University K-12 Project Based Learning Partnership Program and may be accessed at http://internal.clarkson.edu/highschool/k12/project/energysystems.html.

Contributors

Supporting program, acknowledgements.

This lesson was developed under National Science Foundation grants no. DUE 0428127 and DGE 0338216. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the National Science Foundation, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.

Last modified: August 16, 2023

Home » All articles » The Art of Engineering Problem Solving: Strategies and Techniques

The Art of Engineering Problem Solving: Strategies and Techniques

You’re probably scrolling through TikTok, switching between Spotify playlists, and maybe—just maybe—thinking about the one thing that’s got your brain buzzing: engineering problem solving. Yeah, it might not be as viral as the latest TikTok dance, but stick with me. Solving complex engineering problems might just be the ultimate brain flex. 👏 Whether you’re finessing code, designing robots, or trying to figure out why your latest project just isn’t vibing, I gotchu. We’re talking next-level mental gymnastics that can take you from frustrated face-palm 🤦 to triumphant chest-thump 💪.

You don’t have to be an Elon Musk disciple to know that engineering is more than just number crunching. It’s about creativity, critical thinking, and sometimes even a tiny bit of luck. But let’s cut the fluff: There’s a bit of an art to it too, and that’s where all the "hardcore" problem-solving techniques kick in. Spoiler alert: this is going to get deep, but I promise, you’ll walk away not just knowing how to tackle that monster of a problem you’ve been stressing over but owning it. Let’s dive in, fam. 🚀 **

Table of Contents

WTF is Engineering Problem Solving Anyway?

Let’s not gatekeep, fam. Engineering problem-solving is like that one hero in RPG games—you know, the one that combines mad skills, strategy, and a little bit of “trust the process” mindset. Imagine you’re designing an app or crafting a machine. Problems? Oh, they’ll show up like unsolicited DMs. Engineering problem-solving is basically the process of identifying those problems, analyzing them, and finding a creative (yet practical) fix that turns that ‘Ugh!’ into an ‘Ah!’ 🙌

For example, say you’re an urban planner tasked with reducing traffic congestion. You gotta figure out what’s causing everyone to rage-quit during rush hour, and then—here’s the kicker—develop a sustainable solution that doesn’t roll back the economy. It’s not just about having the right tools, but knowing how to use them with creativity and precision. And that’s where this gets fun, fam. 🎭 **

Frameworks: Your Engineering Problem Solving Buffet

You’ve probably noticed by now that engineering problems rarely come with a one-size-fits-all solution. Just like we all have different study jam playlists 🎧, engineers have various frameworks they use for problem-solving. Think of it like a buffet: Pick, mix and match, and serve yourself some 10/10 solutions. Let’s look at some of the most common frameworks and why they’re totally worth learning. **

1. The Scientific Method: Your Go-to OG Tool

The OG of problem-solving, the Scientific Method, is like your BFF who’s always got your back. Its simplicity lies in its structured approach. You start with an observation—think of it as the “WTF moment” 😱—and then you move on to forming a hypothesis. The hypothesis is your best guess, like a hot take that you think might just work. The next step involves testing this hypothesis through experiments or simulations. Basically, this is the "put your money where your mouth is" phase. Finally, you analyze the data, draw conclusions, and rinse-repeat until you’ve cracked the damn code. Sounds simple? It is, but it packs a punch. **

2. Root Cause Analysis: Don’t Just Scratch the Surface

Ever wonder why your perfectly good code suddenly starts breaking down? 😩 That’s when you need a Root Cause Analysis (RCA). We’re talking next-level sleuthing, like Sherlock Holmes but for engineers 🔍. RCA aims to identify the "root cause" of your problem, not just the symptoms. You ask a series of "Why?" questions—usually like five—until you get to the bottom of why something’s 💩-ing the bed. Fix that, and you’ll dunk on the problem once and for all. **

3. PDCA Cycle: Plan-Do-Check-Act Like a Boss

This cycle is like that one TikTok life hack that actually works. Unlike other frameworks, PDCA emphasizes iteration and continuous improvement. Start by Planning —like mapping out a semester’s worth of assignments—but for engineering 😂. Then you Do —as in, implement the solution. Post that, you’ve got to Check if your solution works, and lastly, Act by refining it based on what you’ve learned. Before you know it, you’ve leveled up from a meh solution to a "wow, this actually works!"*

4. Six Sigma: Love It or Hate It, It’s Here to Stay

Six Sigma sounds like one of those Elden Ring secrets only hardcore players know, but it’s actually an approach that focuses on minimizing variability and defects 🌟. Think manufacturing, mass production, and even software engineering. The idea is to make a flawless process by using data and statistical analysis to reduce errors. You follow a sequence known as DMAIC—Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control—to solve problems and make the process sleek AF. Is it low-key complicated? Yeah. But if you nail it, you’ll be everyone’s go-to problem crusher. **

5. Design Thinking: Problem Solving with a Twist of Creativity

Design Thinking is the one framework that’s always the most fun at parties. Why? Because it’s all about empathy and creativity 🎨. The goal is to solve complex problems by focusing on the end-user—basically putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. It’s great for problems that require out-of-the-box thinking, like creating user-friendly apps or innovative healthcare solutions. Steps? You got: (1) Empathize—get in the feels of the problem, (2) Define—scope it out, (3) Ideate—brainstorm those fire ideas, (4) Prototype—get experimental, and (5) Test—see if it works IRL. **

The Power of Collaboration: Squad Goals in Problem Solving

Listen, there’s no shame in asking for help. In fact, one of the most effective ways to solve engineering problems is by working in collaboration. Yep, this means teamwork makes the dream work, and not just in cheesy high school movies 🎬. Collaborating with people who bring different perspectives is like unlocking a cheat code 👾. When everyone—from different engineering disciplines, marketing, design, and more—comes together, it can turn "mission impossible" into "mission accomplished.”

Why? Because diverse perspectives help you see the problem in a way you’d never even think of—like how zooming out of a chaotic group selfie can suddenly make it Instagram-worthy. Just like in those crucial Among Us discussions, more eyes and brains lead to a better understanding of what’s wrong, and usually, a quicker, more effective solution. Remember, collaboration in problem-solving isn’t just about adding people into the mix, it’s about blending different streams of thought into a strategy that absolutely slaps. **

Pro Tip: When Collabs Go South

Not all team-ups are as smooth as butter. Sometimes, you get clashes of egos, or maybe someone’s just not pulling their weight {👀 at you, Bob}, and suddenly, everything goes sideways. To keep the squad strong, you’ve got to set clear goals, define roles, and make sure that everyone’s on the same wavelength. Also, don’t let differences get too personal. A good approach is to stay focused on solving the problem, not solving your team’s drama. The whole aim is to use everyone’s strengths, so keep it professional and keep it moving. **

Dealing with Constraints: When Life Gives You Lemons 🍋

You’re already 90% into the project, and suddenly—BAM! A wild constraint appears. A technical glitch, limited resources, time crunch; the works. These constraints are not just minor speed bumps; they can feel like brick walls that make you want to rage quit. But wait, before you lose your wig, understand this: Constraints are where true engineers flex their skills. The ability to navigate these challenges and find a workaround often distinguishes the novices from the masters 🎓.

Instead of seeing constraints as enemies, think of them as part of the design process. Constraints are like the rules of a game: annoying, but they set the boundaries within which creativity can shine. Real engineering is not just about working with ideal conditions; it’s about innovating within limitations. **

When the Budget is Tighter Than Your Skinny Jeans

We’ve all been there: You’ve cooked up the ultimate concept but the budget says “NOPE.” This is where you get creative with the resources you have, making the most bang for the buck. Prioritize necessities over frills. Time to sort the “must-haves” from the “nice-to-haves.” If your budget’s super restricted, that’s your cue to innovate—use cheaper materials, or seek alternative solutions that don’t break the bank. The fact is, some of the most disruptive ideas come out when funds are low but brains are high on creativity. **

When the Timeline is Shorter Than Your Attention Span

Nothing’s worse than working under a tight deadline. It’s like speedrunning a game but with really high stakes 🤯. First, break down your tasks into small, manageable steps. Prioritize the critical path tasks—those pivotal things that, when completed, make the rest of the project easier. Carry out parallel processing where possible: delegate tasks among different team members if you can. And while you’re hustling, remember that sometimes things develop a “crunch culture” where long hours are glamorized. Your goal should be smart work, not just hard work. Take mini-breaks to refresh, which will ultimately keep the efficiency up and the burnout down. **

Materials and Resources are Scarce AF

There’s always that one time—maybe it’s now—where the materials you need are either too expensive, too scarce, or too difficult to get a hold of. Often, this constraint forces you to dig deep into alternative solutions. When you face resource constraints, think recycle, reuse, and repurpose. Is it possible to recreate what you need from something less obvious? Could a mix of materials do the job? How about 3D printing or open-source alternatives? This is where you have to think green and lean . Not only can you potentially save costs, but you might save face when that initial idea takes off in this unconventional way. **

Prototyping and Testing: Flex Your Skills

Now that you’ve got your concept and your team is on board, it’s time to enter the dynamic duo of engineering: Prototyping and Testing. This phase is the ultimate reality check, where theories meet the real world 🌍. You could be sitting on the next big innovation, but unless it passes the stress test, it’s nothing but vibes. Prototyping isn’t just about building a small-scale version; it’s an iterative process where you can validate your ideas, identify any shortcomings, and tweak the heck out of it until it’s just right.

But remember: Engineering is as much about knowing what not to do as it is about knowing what kicks. Your first prototype might as well fail spectacularly, and that’s okay! That fail fast mentality will save you from launching a flawed design later on. Keep iterating until your prototype not only works but works flawlessly. And always, ALWAYS, take all that testing and analysis they teach you seriously. You never know—those seemingly "obvious" quality checks could be the difference between success and “how did we miss that?” **

The Art of Failing Fast

“Fail fast, fail often” might as well be the mantra of any decent engineer. The sooner you identify what doesn’t work, the faster you can pivot. It’s like playing a video game where you know you’ll lose a couple of lives but it’s all good because you learn from it and level up. Failures in the prototyping phase mean fewer issues in the final product. Take the L, analyze it, and move on quickly. Trust me, it’s the pro move. **

Simulation: The Virtual Safe Space

In the digital era, before you go hands-on, how about starting virtual? Simulation can save you a ton of cash, effort, and resources. Whether you’re testing the aerodynamics of a drone or the thermal properties of a new material, a well-run simulation can reveal hidden problems and constraints without even touching the hardware. Plus, it allows you to tweak variables you can’t in real-world testing, which gives insights you wouldn’t get otherwise. So next time you’re tempted to skip this step, remember: your laptop might be the most powerful tool in your garage. **

Communication: Dropping Knowledge Bombs

Engineering problem-solving is 60% figuring it out and 40% making sure people understand that you’ve figured it out. The more complex the solution, the clearer and more effective your communication needs to be. We’re not here to deliver some cryptic, mystical puzzle to your co-workers or users. Get straight to the point, but do it intelligently.

For engineers, knowing how to explain your process and reasoning is crucial. That means using diagrams, flowcharts, and whatever memes get the point across. remember K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Sometimes, that means breaking things down to such a basic level that even people outside of your field can understand it. Not because they’re slow, but because clarity is king.

If you’re in a team setting, make sure everyone is on the same page. Miscommunication can lead to mistakes down the line, the kind that makes people ask, “How did we even get here?” Regular check-ins and updates make sure that everyone in the squad stays synced and can lend a hand or suggest ideas in real-time. Engineers who can translate “tech speak” into everyday language are low-key superheroes. 🦸‍♂️ **

Storytelling: Engineering’s Underrated Hack

Guess what? 9 out of 10 engineers may underestimate the power of storytelling in engineering. We’re not talking about writing a bestseller, but the ability to craft a narrative helps stakeholders commit to your solution. Engineers who can tell a story about a problem and how their approach solves it are more compelling, period. Next time you’re presenting, think: What’s the beginning, the middle, and the end? Craft a narrative that explains the problem like it’s a plotline and your solution is the hero of the story. **

Ethics: Don’t Be That Engineer

Let’s be real for a sec. Just because you can build or solve something doesn’t mean you should . Engineering isn’t just about solving the problem the quickest or cheapest way, it’s also about doing what’s right even when no one’s watching. This is where ethics comes to play. You need to consider the impact of your solution on society, the environment, and even on your own reputation.

Take a look at cases like self-driving cars or face-recognition algorithms. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize the world or lead to some seriously sketchy situations. It’s your job to consider all potential outcomes, even the ones that might not be too pretty. Make sure your problem-solving process checks all the ethics boxes so you can stand by your work confidently. Being morally and ethically sound means a solution with fewer holes and more integrity. 🌟 **

Codes of Conduct

Different engineering disciplines have their own ethics codes, usually set by something official like a society or board. Whether you’re talking about the IEEE Code of Ethics for electrical engineers or the ASME for mechanical engineers, these serve as the rule book. It’s like a pro gamer using the terms of service—knowing them might just save your neck. When solving a problem, make sure you know these codes inside and out, not only to avoid breaking rules but to guide thoughtful decision-making. **

Tools of the Trade 🛠️

No engineer is an island, and no problem gets solved with just bare hands. You need tools—both physical and digital—to bring your solutions to life. Whether it’s CAD software, a soldering iron, or even just solid Excel skills, these tools are what help you knock out that solution like a pro.

Imagine you’re trying to build a bridge. You’re going to need software for structural analysis that calculates load capacities, materials resistance, and stress points. Or if you’re designing a new app, you might need a suite of UX/UI design software, alongside some code for backend functionality. The right tools not only make solving the problem easier but can uncover insights you might not gain otherwise. Investing time in mastering the tools of your trade could be what’s holding you back from "good enough" to "g.o.a.ted." **

Open Source vs Proprietary Software: The Eternal Debate

Open-source tools may not exactly survive in a standard capitalist handbook, but in the engineering community, it’s practically law. The benefit? Tons of communities and resources to help you decode any issue. On the flip side, proprietary software often comes with support, reliability, and that added sense of security that money brings along. Both options have their places in an engineer’s toolkit, and the dilemma is always in the balance—Do you wanna go for the DIY route or have the manual right in front of you? **

The Creative Problem-Solving Mindset

If you’re looking to consistently be an A-tier engineer, forget thinking inside or outside the box. In fact, forget the box entirely. Problem-solving isn’t some limited skillset; it’s a mindset you cultivate. Creativity plays a crucial role in good engineering because the most innovative solutions often arise when creativity is combined with technical know-how. Like how the best TikToks are both relatable and totally genius 😜.

It’s all about looking at a problem from different angles, deconstructing it into smaller parts, and weaving together elements that seem unrelated to arrive at something new and unique. For most engineers, it’s easy to get caught up in the tools and frameworks, but real mastery happens when you start adding your signature flair to the process. Whether that means mixing methodologies, or looking outside your field for inspiration, flex those creative muscles and watch yourself become the go-to problem solver your team can’t live without. **

Keeping Learning on the Daily 📚

Remember, the best problem solvers never stop learning. Plunging into new research, playing with emerging tech, and staying updated on the latest trends (whether that’s in renewable energy or machine learning) are critical in keeping your creative problem-solving skills sharp. Try absorbing knowledge in bite-sized chunks—listen to an engineering podcast on your walk, dive into a YouTube tutorial here and there, whatever suits your groove.

This also means embracing failure. Learning from what didn’t work is equally important. Failures are building blocks for stronger solutions the next time. Building up a library of “don’ts” can be just as powerful as your arsenal of “dos.” **

Why Engineering Problem-Solving Skills Matter in the Real World

If you thought this engineering gig was all about numbers and codes, think again, homie. The skills you build while solving engineering problems can level up your game in almost every aspect of life. They’re not just critical at the office or lab; they creep into how you organize your life, how you deal with personal struggles, and how you navigate complex social landscapes. Think about it: engineering teaches you how to think, not just what to think.

We live in a world that’s increasingly complex, with interwoven systems that demand more than a shallow solution. The critical thinking, creativity, and ethics you cultivate in engineering can help you make better, more informed decisions in the world around you—whether that’s finding efficient ways to run your household, making more sustainable choices, or even mentoring others to help them solve their own problems. It’s all connected. The value of engineering problem-solving extends way beyond engineering itself, making you smarter, more adaptable, and yes, a bit cooler. 🌍 **

FAQ Section 🔍

Q1: What’s the best framework for engineering problem solving? A: Honestly, it depends on the problem. The Scientific Method is pretty solid if you need a structured approach, but if you’re dealing with user-centric problems, Design Thinking is clutch. Learn a few frameworks and pick the one that best fits the issue.

Q2: How do I improve at team problem-solving? A: Communication is key. Make sure everyone is on the same page, divide up the work according to strengths, and never shy away from constructive criticism. Keep the vibes positive and the focus on the goal.

Q3: How important are soft skills in engineering problem-solving? A: Super important. Being technically sound is great, but unless you can communicate your ideas effectively, collaborate with others, and think ethically, you won’t be reaching your full potential.

Q4: How much should I rely on simulations? A: Simulations are a great, cost-effective way to predict how your solutions will work in the real world. But, they’re not foolproof. Always back them up with hands-on testing when possible.

Q5: How do I balance creativity with practicality? A: Start with a creative brainstorm but ground it in reality by considering constraints like budget, time, and resources. The key is to have a flexible approach; be creative but know when to switch gears.

Q6: Can creativity really be taught? A: It’s a mix of natural talent and learned skill. You can definitely foster creativity by exposing yourself to new experiences, learning constantly, and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

Q7: Are ethical considerations really that important? A: Absolutely. Ethical engineering ensures that your solutions are not just effective but responsible. It’s about the long-term impact of your work on society, the environment, and future problems. Don’t sleep on ethics.

Sources and References:

• "Problem Solving 101: A Simple Book for Smart People" by Ken Watanabe.
• The IEEE Code of Ethics.
• "The Art of Systems Architecting" by Mark W. Maier and Eberhardt Rechtin.
• "Design Thinking" by Nigel Cross.
• "Leadership and Teamwork" by Carl E. Larson and Frank M. LaFasto.
• Various open-source engineering communities and forums for practical insights.

(Total Word Count: 4000)

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3 What is Problem Solving?

Chapter table of contents, what is problem solving.

• What Does Problem Solving Look Like?

Developing Problem Solving Processes

Summary of strategies, problem solving:  an important job skill.

The ability to solve problems is a basic life skill and is essential to our day-to-day lives, at home, at school, and at work. We solve problems every day without really thinking about how we solve them. For example: it’s raining and you need to go to the store. What do you do? There are lots of possible solutions. Take your umbrella and walk. If you don’t want to get wet, you can drive, or take the bus. You might decide to call a friend for a ride, or you might decide to go to the store another day. There is no right way to solve this problem and different people will solve it differently.

Problem solving is the process of identifying a problem, developing possible solution paths, and taking the appropriate course of action.

Why is problem solving important? Good problem solving skills empower you not only in your personal life but are critical in your professional life. In the current fast-changing global economy, employers often identify everyday problem solving as crucial to the success of their organizations. For employees, problem solving can be used to develop practical and creative solutions, and to show independence and initiative to employers.

what does problem solving look like?

The ability to solve problems is a skill at which you can improve.  So how exactly do you practice problem solving? Learning about different problem solving strategies and when to use them will give you a good start. Problem solving is a process. Most strategies provide steps that help you identify the problem and choose the best solution. There are two basic types of strategies: algorithmic and heuristic.

Algorithmic strategies are traditional step-by-step guides to solving problems. They are great for solving math problems (in algebra: multiply and divide, then add or subtract) or for helping us remember the correct order of things (a mnemonic such as “Spring Forward, Fall Back” to remember which way the clock changes for daylight saving time, or “Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey” to remember what direction to turn bolts and screws). Algorithms are best when there is a single path to the correct solution.

But what do you do when there is no single solution for your problem? Heuristic methods are general guides used to identify possible solutions. A popular one that is easy to remember is IDEAL [Bransford & Stein [1] ] :

IDEAL is just one problem solving strategy. Building a toolbox of problem solving strategies will improve your problem solving skills. With practice, you will be able to recognize and use multiple strategies to solve complex problems.

What is the best way to get a peanut out of a tube that cannot be moved? Watch a chimpanzee solve this problem in the video below [Geert Stienissen [2] ].

Problem solving is a process that uses steps to solve problems. But what does that really mean? Let's break it down and start building our toolbox of problem solving strategies.

What is the first step of solving any problem? The first step is to recognize that there is a problem and identify the right cause of the problem. This may sound obvious, but similar problems can arise from different events, and the real issue may not always be apparent. To really solve the problem, it's important to find out what started it all. This is called identifying the root cause .

Example: You and your classmates have been working long hours on a project in the school's workshop. The next afternoon, you try to use your student ID card to access the workshop, but discover that your magnetic strip has been demagnetized. Since the card was a couple of years old, you chalk it up to wear and tear and get a new ID card. Later that same week you learn that several of your classmates had the same problem! After a little investigation, you discover that a strong magnet was stored underneath a workbench in the workshop. The magnet was the root cause of the demagnetized student ID cards.

The best way to identify the root cause of the problem is to ask questions and gather information. If you have a vague problem, investigating facts is more productive than guessing a solution. Ask yourself questions about the problem. What do you know about the problem? What do you not know? When was the last time it worked correctly? What has changed since then? Can you diagram the process into separate steps? Where in the process is the problem occurring? Be curious, ask questions, gather facts, and make logical deductions rather than assumptions.

When issues and problems arise, it is important that they are addressed in an efficient and timely manner. Communication is an important tool because it can prevent problems from recurring, avoid injury to personnel, reduce rework and scrap, and ultimately, reduce cost, and save money. Although, each path in this exercise ended with a description of a problem solving tool for your toolbox, the first step is always to identify the problem and define the context in which it happened.

There are several strategies that can be used to identify the root cause of a problem. Root cause analysis (RCA) is a method of problem solving that helps people answer the question of why the problem occurred. RCA uses a specific set of steps, with associated tools like the “5 Why Analysis" or the “Cause and Effect Diagram,” to identify the origin of the problem, so that you can:

Once the underlying cause is identified and the scope of the issue defined, the next step is to explore possible strategies to fix the problem.

If you are not sure how to fix the problem, it is okay to ask for help. Problem solving is a process and a skill that is learned with practice. It is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes and that no one knows everything. Life is about learning. It is okay to ask for help when you don’t have the answer. When you collaborate to solve problems you improve workplace communication and accelerates finding solutions as similar problems arise.

One tool that can be useful for generating possible solutions is brainstorming . Brainstorming is a technique designed to generate a large number of ideas for the solution to a problem. The goal is to come up with as many ideas as you can, in a fixed amount of time. Although brainstorming is best done in a group, it can be done individually.

Depending on your path through the exercise, you may have discovered that a couple of your coworkers had experienced similar problems. This should have been an indicator that there was a larger problem that needed to be addressed.

In any workplace, communication of problems and issues (especially those that involve safety) is always important. This is especially crucial in manufacturing where people are constantly working with heavy, costly, and sometimes dangerous equipment. When issues and problems arise, it is important that they be addressed in an efficient and timely manner.  Because it can prevent problems from recurring, avoid injury to personnel, reduce rework and scrap, and ultimately, reduce cost and save money; effective communication is an important tool..

One strategy for improving communication is the huddle . Just like football players on the field, a huddle is a short meeting with everyone standing in a circle.   It's always important that team members are aware of how their work impacts one another.  A daily team huddle is a great way to ensure that as well as making team members aware of changes to the schedule or any problems or safety issues that have been identified. When done right, huddles create collaboration, communication, and accountability to results. Impromptu huddles can be used to gather information on a specific issue and get each team member's input.

"Never try to solve all the problems at once — make them line up for you one-by-one.” — Richard Sloma

Problem solving improves efficiency and communication on the shop floor. It increases a company's efficiency and profitability, so it's one of the top skills employers look for when hiring new employees.  Employers consider professional skills, such as problem solving, as critical to their business’s success.

The 2011 survey, "Boiling Point? The skills gap in U.S. manufacturing [3] ," polled over a thousand manufacturing executives who reported that the number one skill deficiency among their current employees is problem solving, which makes it difficult for their companies to adapt to the changing needs of the industry.

• Bransford, J. & Stein, B.S. (). The Ideal Problem Solver: A Guide For Improving Thinking, Learning, And Creativity . New York, NY: W.H. Freeman. ↵
• National Geographic. [Geert Stienissen]. (2010, August 19). Insight learning: Chimpanzee Problem Solving [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPz6uvIbWZE ↵
• Report: Boiling Point: The Skills Gap in U.S. Manufacturing Deloitte / The Manufacturing Institute, October 2011. Retrieved from http://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org/Hidden/2011-Skills-Gap-Report/2011-Skills-Gap-Report.aspx ↵

Introduction to Industrial Engineering Copyright © 2020 by Bonnie Boardman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Tips for Solving Engineering Problems Effectively

Problem solving is the process of determining the best feasible action to take in a given situation. Problem solving is an essential skill for engineers to have. Engineers are problem solvers, as the popular quote says:

“Engineers like to solve problems. If there are no problems handily available, they will create their own problems.” – Scott Adams

Engineers are faced with a range of problems in their everyday life. The nature of problems that engineers must solve differs between and among the various disciplines of engineering. Because of the diversity of problems there is no universal list of procedures that will fit every engineering problem. Engineers use various approaches while solving problems.

Engineering problems must be approached systematically, applying an algorithm, or step-by-step practice by which one arrives at a feasible solution. In this post, we’ve prepared a list of tips for solving engineering problems effectively.

#1 Identify the Problem

Evaluating the needs or identifying the problem is a key step in finding a solution for engineering problems. Recognize and describe the problem accurately by exploring it thoroughly. Define what question is to be answered and what outputs or results are to be produced. Also determine the available data and information about the problem in hand.

An improper definition of the problem will cause the engineer to waste time, lengthen the problem solving process and finally arrive at an incorrect solution. It is essential that the stated needs be real needs.

As an engineer, you should also be careful not to make the problem pointlessly bound. Placing too many limitations on the problem may make the solution extremely complex and tough or impossible to solve. To put it simply, eliminate the unnecessary details and only keep relevant details and the root problem.

#2 Collect Relevant Information and Data

After defining the problem, an engineer begins to collect all the relevant information and data needed to solve the problem. The collected data could be physical measurements, maps, outcomes of laboratory experiments, patents, results of conducted surveys, or any number of other types of information. Verify the accuracy of the collected data and information.

As an engineer, you should always try to build on what has already been done before. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Information on related problems that have been solved or unsolved earlier, may help engineers find the optimal solution for a given problem.

#3 Search for Creative Solutions

There are a number of methods to help a group or individual to produce original creative ideas. The development of these new ideas may come from creativity, a subconscious effort, or innovation, a conscious effort.

You can try to visualize the problem or make a conceptual model for the given problem. So think of visualizing the given problem and see if that can help you gain more knowledge about the problem.

#4 Develop a Mathematical Model

Mathematical modeling is the art of translating problems from an application area into tractable mathematical formulations whose theoretical and numerical analysis provides insight, answers, and guidance useful for the originating application.

To develop a mathematical model for the problem, determine what basic principles are applicable and then draw sketches or block diagrams to better understand the problem. Then define and introduce the necessary variables so that the problem is stated purely in mathematical terms.

Afterwards, simplify the problem so that you can obtain the required result. Also identify the and justify the assumptions and constraints in the mathematical model.

#5 Use Computational Method

You can use a computational method based on the mathematical method you’ve developed for the problem. Derive a set of equations that enable the calculation of the desired parameters and variables as described in your mathematical model. You can also develop an algorithm, or step-by-step procedure of evaluating the equations involved in the solution.

To do so, describe the algorithm in mathematical terms and then execute it as a computer program.

#6 Repeat the Problem Solving Process

Not every problem solving is immediately successful. Problems aren’t always solved appropriately the first time. You’ve to rethink and repeat the problem solving process or choose an alternative solution or approach to solving the problem.

Bottom-line:

Engineers often use the reverse-engineering method to solve problems. For example, by taking things apart to identify a problem, finding a solution and then putting the object back together again. Engineers are creative , they know how things work, and so they constantly analyze things and discover how they work.

Problem-solving skills help you to resolve obstacles in a situation. As stated earlier, problem solving is a skill that an engineer must have and fortunately it’s a skill that can be learned. This skill gives engineers a mechanism for identifying things, figuring out why they are broken and determining a course of action to fix them.

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The Engineering Method: A Step-by-Step Process for Solving Challenging Problems

Getting stuck before you even begin to work on an engineering problem is more common than you think. Use this method to help you break a problem down, find a path toward a solution, and avoid mistakes.

Have you ever experienced the feeling of panic when presented with a problem you’ve never seen before, you’re on a deadline, and all eyes are on you? Maybe it’s your manager asking you to work on something urgent and mission-critical, or in an interview for your dream job and you’re across the table from the one person standing in your way of getting the offer. Most of us have felt this moment of panic at some point or another. In my experience as a tech lead and engineering manager at companies like Microsoft and Meta (then Facebook), the people who are most successful in these situations aren’t always the ones who are the smartest or have the most experience. Rather, it’s the people who used effective strategies for solving problems they hadn’t seen before. The junior engineers who do this well build experience and grow quickly. The higher-level engineers who have honed these skills are the key players on their teams and are often the best equipped to mentor the junior engineers. But how do people consistently make progress when working on something new and challenging? What do you do when you really have no idea where to start? We created The Engineering Method , a simple set of steps that can help you break a problem down, find a path toward a solution, and avoid mistakes. Here at Formation, we apply the method to software engineering problems, but the same steps can be applied to many different fields.

Step 1: Thoroughly understand the problem

A. ask clarifying questions.

Good questions often fall into one of two categories. They’re either questions that:

• Gather requirements to precisely understand what the goal is or isn’t
• Search for subtle edge cases or exceptions to the rules of the problems

B. Come up with your own “happy case” examples

A “happy case” refers to a normal input that isn’t trying to test the edge cases of the question. Happy path and “golden path” are also terms used to describe this. What does the feature, algorithm, or system need to do in the normal cases? What do these normal cases look like? At this stage, you are using the information gathered to and testing your understanding. You want to be able to generate 2-3 more examples that illustrate the requirements. These examples are going to help you find the patterns that will lead you towards possible approaches.

C. Come up with edge cases

Once you’ve come up with some “happy cases” and understand the problem, test the limits. Try not to go straight to the easy ones like, “what if it’s null”. This is useful for the implementation but is unlikely to inform the algorithm. Instead, try to think about logical edge cases that are more unique to that specific problem. Some edge cases are easier to deal with in some designs versus others. Listing out these edge cases now will help you choose between multiple implementation options later. For an algorithmic problem, here are some of the most common categories of edge cases:

• Negative numbers
• Empty cases (Empty array, string)
• Out of bounds
• Cycles in lists
• In problems with arrays or matrices, often the literal edges of the data have interesting quirks

Step 2: Identify and explore possible solutions

Always try to identify multiple solutions. Weigh the pros and cons of the different solutions and then select one to try. Sometimes, an attempt doesn’t end up working out, but the data gathered from these unsuccessful ideas often informs better ideas. For example, let’s say you’re attempting to solve something with depth-first search. While testing the idea on an example, you might discover that it doesn’t work. The way it doesn’t work might lead you to discover that breadth-first search does work. Keeping your work on these unsuccessful ideas might help inform your eventual correct solution.

A. Identify a simple solution

Try the simple thing first. If no obvious solution comes to you right away, work through a list of major solution archetypes for the type of problem.

• Algorithmic problem: stack, queue, BFS, DFS, dynamic programming, etc.
• Systems: map/reduce, key/value store, work queue

B. Work through some example cases manually

Take the sample input or ideas from the exploration phase and try to solve it manually. As you solve it, try to see if you can generalize your decisions. If you can't, try making small variations to your input or using input ideas from Step 1 to see if you can identify the patterns.

C. Work out the expected time and space complexity of each idea

Runtime and space complexity is one important part of comparing solutions. Often, but not always, we want to implement the solution with optimal complexity.

Step 3: Choose a solution

A big part of engineering is making decisions and choosing between different implementation options. Proactively point out the advantages/disadvantages of your ideas. If there is more than one solution on the table, you should consider which makes the most sense build. Often, there is no one best answer, so think about trade-offs and discuss the reasoning behind your decision with your team. Consider time/space complexity, but remember this is only one consideration. You should also consider difficulty of implementation. Remember, simple solutions are often best, especially in a time crunch.

Step 4: Make a plan

You’ve decided on a basic approach, an algorithm, or a high-level system design. It’s time to build it now, right? Not quite. Even for simple problems, a little bit of planning can go a long way. For something small, it might be as simple as splitting out some helper functions. Oftentimes, just starting at the top can lead to confusion and bugs. Starting with small, testable building blocks is often better.

Step 5: Build it

At this point, with a clear understanding of the solution and an implementation plan, the actual coding will go much more smoothly. As problems become more difficult, it becomes more and more important to explicitly split out these steps. Doing so will avoid costly mistakes and, while it feels slow, it will often be much faster in the long run. For problems that seem simple enough that you can effectively jump into coding quickly, remember that you’ve not actually skipped the preceding steps. You just did them ahead of time in your past work or practice and are utilizing that past experience.

Step 6: Test it

You've written a solution. You're done. Right? NO. As an engineer, you are always responsible for the results and quality of your work. As you uncover potential issues, you will be moving back and forth between 4 and 5. The good news in this step is that you should have already done most of the work! Some test cases should have come from Steps 1 and 2.

A. Test the happy cases

Start with a standard happy case . For example, for sorting, you might test a standard unsorted array: [3, 5, 4, 1, 2]. Pick a few important test cases you have identified earlier in Steps 2 and 3.

B. Test the edge cases

You should be picking from edge cases that you already identified earlier. Once you’ve written the code, you may also discover some implementation-level edge cases. A good way to make sure that you’ve covered all edge cases is to ensure that every line of code is executed at least once ! This is also the time to handle truly malformed input.

Wrapping Up

As engineers, our job is to bring new ideas to life. This often means doing something new, something different than we’ve done before, or maybe even building something that has never existed before. This means we can expect to encounter problems we haven’t seen previously. Experience can build some intuition that can seep things up, but the people who solve new problems the best are the ones who can make progress even when experience and intuition can’t help. Feeling panic set in? Take a deep breath, then follow the Engineering Method. Looking for structure in your job hunt? Apply below to close your most urgent interviewing skill gaps and interview with confidence.

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The Problem Solving Steps all Engineers Should Know

Imagine walking into a room, everyone is clamoring for answers and after a few moments you know exactly what everyone should do to fix the problem.

You deal with problems on a daily basis as an Engineer but sometimes you run into the situation where you solve the wrong problem, or senior engineers get frustrated with how long it's taking to complete a task - perhaps they gave you some vague problem statement and when you asked for some direction it was still high level because it should be "obvious".

I think where people get caught is the Senior engineers giving out tasks aren't necessarily looking to walk you through a solution, they want a problem to go away, they want to spend as close to zero brain cells on the problem (at this point in time). So your job is to make it go away and not to use their brain cycles.

But this is counter intuitive, if I don't know where to start or I take too long then that will also be frustrating since the problem will still be there.

Correct. So you are caught in between a rock and a hard place. But it's not the worst and we can certainly equip ourselves with the skills we need to handle these situations.

What's the situation?

Problem Solving and reducing our "mean-time to solve". There's a spectrum of problems one can consider and if you realize this you can see that more complex problems do require more time to solve - there's an "expected" time to solve. So you want to perform in such a way that you are below this line as much as is practicable.

I've worked in Engineering for over a decade now and I can tell you that for sure there are specific tricks to solving particular problems specific to the industry, company, field, technology, etc. You gain these by purely time. Working on problems and solutions in that area. This is why experience is king - but it is also overrated sometimes.

Someone with 5 years more experience may not be very good and if you only looked at the number of years you would be none the wiser.

So how can we overcome this hurdle and forget the number of years we've worked and just perform better?

Use the book 10+1 Steps to Problem Solving: An Engineers Guide.

Here I created simple steps to follow that looks at a more birds-eye view but is so practical you can apply it to any situation.

But this isn't some "one-size fits all" methodology, nor is it "how do I calculate the potential energy in this craft", "how do you enable this features in this software". Don't get it twisted.

But it does help formalize your approach, use the right mindset and ask the right questions at the various stages of problem solving.

What's wrong with Steps to Problem Solving lists out there? They are mostly correct, but the primary issue is they are so generic and have little practicality. They lay out steps around identification of the problem, analysis, breaking it down to small bits, evaluating. But more often than not they spend half the time talking about implementation, working out the kinks, timing, etc.

This presents 2 problems:

It is super slow

It is solution focused

I'm not saying you shouldn't plan out your solutions and have implementation plans, timings, schedules, documentation - you need these (at the solution stage). But when you plan out how you are going to try to fix something and spend all this time pondering - you could have simply tried and moved on.

You either fixed it or you got more data.

You iterate faster through your questions, quick testing of the obvious things, getting eyes on the situation in the correct way, checking your fundamentals and proceeding from there. (These are still in the first three steps by the way).

The rest of the steps are still focused on going deeper into the rabbit hole to solve your problems. This is when you are stuck, for hours, days, weeks!

So what are the steps?

Here's direct extract of the index:

The Question

The Obvious

Check Yourself

The RTFM Protocol

What about the Environment?

Phone-A-Friend

The Secret Step

The book goes on to explain each of these steps and provide a checklist style summary at the end of each. You can practically use this as a framework to approach problems, particularly tricky ones so that you can reduce the average amount of time you spend fixing things. There's real examples from easy to difficult ones covered so you gain context on how to fix.

I really wanted to help as many people as I can with this so I actually made the book completely free. You can get online access and read the whole thing from my website here .

It will require you create an account but other than that you are good.

At the time of this writing only the first 2 chapters are available, but you are getting early access as the book isn't set to release until the 4th Quarter of this year! (In time for Christmas).

You can register to get notified when the release is coming out so you can be first in line to get your own copy.

What's the advantage of problem solving this way?

So if you remember to the opening of this article we did cover some of the pain points and frustrations that can happen in an engineering career. So think of it this way, if you can consistently solve problems and make things go away, or better yet, things seem to get fixed faster when you are around - then you'll be wanted around.

This tends to have a compounding effect where you help others solve their problems simply by understanding this method and asking the right questions to get them to their own answer, and now people want you on bigger projects.

You do this and gain more responsibility and then now you have the foundation for increasing your pay, your role and your impact. (There's challenges here of course but I will have courses and free content to address these). You can become one of the "go to" engineers in your company.

Every Engineer should be aware of these problem solving steps.

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What Is Problem Solving? How Software Engineers Approach Complex Challenges

From debugging an existing system to designing an entirely new software application, a day in the life of a software engineer is filled with various challenges and complexities. The one skill that glues these disparate tasks together and makes them manageable? Problem solving . 

Throughout this blog post, we’ll explore why problem-solving skills are so critical for software engineers, delve into the techniques they use to address complex challenges, and discuss how hiring managers can identify these skills during the hiring process. 

What Is Problem Solving?

But what exactly is problem solving in the context of software engineering? How does it work, and why is it so important?

Problem solving, in the simplest terms, is the process of identifying a problem, analyzing it, and finding the most effective solution to overcome it. For software engineers, this process is deeply embedded in their daily workflow. It could be something as simple as figuring out why a piece of code isn’t working as expected, or something as complex as designing the architecture for a new software system. 

In a world where technology is evolving at a blistering pace, the complexity and volume of problems that software engineers face are also growing. As such, the ability to tackle these issues head-on and find innovative solutions is not only a handy skill — it’s a necessity. 

The Importance of Problem-Solving Skills for Software Engineers

Problem-solving isn’t just another ability that software engineers pull out of their toolkits when they encounter a bug or a system failure. It’s a constant, ongoing process that’s intrinsic to every aspect of their work. Let’s break down why this skill is so critical.

Driving Development Forward

Without problem solving, software development would hit a standstill. Every new feature, every optimization, and every bug fix is a problem that needs solving. Whether it’s a performance issue that needs diagnosing or a user interface that needs improving, the capacity to tackle and solve these problems is what keeps the wheels of development turning.

It’s estimated that 60% of software development lifecycle costs are related to maintenance tasks, including debugging and problem solving. This highlights how pivotal this skill is to the everyday functioning and advancement of software systems.

Innovation and Optimization

The importance of problem solving isn’t confined to reactive scenarios; it also plays a major role in proactive, innovative initiatives . Software engineers often need to think outside the box to come up with creative solutions, whether it’s optimizing an algorithm to run faster or designing a new feature to meet customer needs. These are all forms of problem solving.

Consider the development of the modern smartphone. It wasn’t born out of a pre-existing issue but was a solution to a problem people didn’t realize they had — a device that combined communication, entertainment, and productivity into one handheld tool.

Increasing Efficiency and Productivity

Good problem-solving skills can save a lot of time and resources. Effective problem-solvers are adept at dissecting an issue to understand its root cause, thus reducing the time spent on trial and error. This efficiency means projects move faster, releases happen sooner, and businesses stay ahead of their competition.

Improving Software Quality

Problem solving also plays a significant role in enhancing the quality of the end product. By tackling the root causes of bugs and system failures, software engineers can deliver reliable, high-performing software. This is critical because, according to the Consortium for Information and Software Quality, poor quality software in the U.S. in 2022 cost at least $2.41 trillion in operational issues, wasted developer time, and other related problems.

Problem-Solving Techniques in Software Engineering

So how do software engineers go about tackling these complex challenges? Let’s explore some of the key problem-solving techniques, theories, and processes they commonly use.

Decomposition

Breaking down a problem into smaller, manageable parts is one of the first steps in the problem-solving process. It’s like dealing with a complicated puzzle. You don’t try to solve it all at once. Instead, you separate the pieces, group them based on similarities, and then start working on the smaller sets. This method allows software engineers to handle complex issues without being overwhelmed and makes it easier to identify where things might be going wrong.

Abstraction

In the realm of software engineering, abstraction means focusing on the necessary information only and ignoring irrelevant details. It is a way of simplifying complex systems to make them easier to understand and manage. For instance, a software engineer might ignore the details of how a database works to focus on the information it holds and how to retrieve or modify that information.

Algorithmic Thinking

At its core, software engineering is about creating algorithms — step-by-step procedures to solve a problem or accomplish a goal. Algorithmic thinking involves conceiving and expressing these procedures clearly and accurately and viewing every problem through an algorithmic lens. A well-designed algorithm not only solves the problem at hand but also does so efficiently, saving computational resources.

Parallel Thinking

Parallel thinking is a structured process where team members think in the same direction at the same time, allowing for more organized discussion and collaboration. It’s an approach popularized by Edward de Bono with the “ Six Thinking Hats ” technique, where each “hat” represents a different style of thinking.

In the context of software engineering, parallel thinking can be highly effective for problem solving. For instance, when dealing with a complex issue, the team can use the “White Hat” to focus solely on the data and facts about the problem, then the “Black Hat” to consider potential problems with a proposed solution, and so on. This structured approach can lead to more comprehensive analysis and more effective solutions, and it ensures that everyone’s perspectives are considered.

This is the process of identifying and fixing errors in code . Debugging involves carefully reviewing the code, reproducing and analyzing the error, and then making necessary modifications to rectify the problem. It’s a key part of maintaining and improving software quality.

Testing and Validation

Testing is an essential part of problem solving in software engineering. Engineers use a variety of tests to verify that their code works as expected and to uncover any potential issues. These range from unit tests that check individual components of the code to integration tests that ensure the pieces work well together. Validation, on the other hand, ensures that the solution not only works but also fulfills the intended requirements and objectives.

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Evaluating Problem-Solving Skills

We’ve examined the importance of problem-solving in the work of a software engineer and explored various techniques software engineers employ to approach complex challenges. Now, let’s delve into how hiring teams can identify and evaluate problem-solving skills during the hiring process.

Recognizing Problem-Solving Skills in Candidates

How can you tell if a candidate is a good problem solver? Look for these indicators:

• Previous Experience: A history of dealing with complex, challenging projects is often a good sign. Ask the candidate to discuss a difficult problem they faced in a previous role and how they solved it.
• Problem-Solving Questions: During interviews, pose hypothetical scenarios or present real problems your company has faced. Ask candidates to explain how they would tackle these issues. You’re not just looking for a correct solution but the thought process that led them there.
• Technical Tests: Coding challenges and other technical tests can provide insight into a candidate’s problem-solving abilities. Consider leveraging a platform for assessing these skills in a realistic, job-related context.

Assessing Problem-Solving Skills

Once you’ve identified potential problem solvers, here are a few ways you can assess their skills:

• Solution Effectiveness: Did the candidate solve the problem? How efficient and effective is their solution?
• Approach and Process: Go beyond whether or not they solved the problem and examine how they arrived at their solution. Did they break the problem down into manageable parts? Did they consider different perspectives and possibilities?
• Communication: A good problem solver can explain their thought process clearly. Can the candidate effectively communicate how they arrived at their solution and why they chose it?
• Adaptability: Problem-solving often involves a degree of trial and error. How does the candidate handle roadblocks? Do they adapt their approach based on new information or feedback?

Hiring managers play a crucial role in identifying and fostering problem-solving skills within their teams. By focusing on these abilities during the hiring process, companies can build teams that are more capable, innovative, and resilient.

Key Takeaways

As you can see, problem solving plays a pivotal role in software engineering. Far from being an occasional requirement, it is the lifeblood that drives development forward, catalyzes innovation, and delivers of quality software. 

By leveraging problem-solving techniques, software engineers employ a powerful suite of strategies to overcome complex challenges. But mastering these techniques isn’t simple feat. It requires a learning mindset, regular practice, collaboration, reflective thinking, resilience, and a commitment to staying updated with industry trends. 

For hiring managers and team leads, recognizing these skills and fostering a culture that values and nurtures problem solving is key. It’s this emphasis on problem solving that can differentiate an average team from a high-performing one and an ordinary product from an industry-leading one.

At the end of the day, software engineering is fundamentally about solving problems — problems that matter to businesses, to users, and to the wider society. And it’s the proficient problem solvers who stand at the forefront of this dynamic field, turning challenges into opportunities, and ideas into reality.

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40 problem-solving techniques and processes

All teams and organizations encounter challenges. Approaching those challenges without a structured problem solving process can end up making things worse.

Proven problem solving techniques such as those outlined below can guide your group through a process of identifying problems and challenges , ideating on possible solutions , and then evaluating and implementing the most suitable .

In this post, you'll find problem-solving tools you can use to develop effective solutions. You'll also find some tips for facilitating the problem solving process and solving complex problems.

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What is problem solving?

Problem solving is a process of finding and implementing a solution to a challenge or obstacle. In most contexts, this means going through a problem solving process that begins with identifying the issue, exploring its root causes, ideating and refining possible solutions before implementing and measuring the impact of that solution.

For simple or small problems, it can be tempting to skip straight to implementing what you believe is the right solution. The danger with this approach is that without exploring the true causes of the issue, it might just occur again or your chosen solution may cause other issues.

Particularly in the world of work, good problem solving means using data to back up each step of the process, bringing in new perspectives and effectively measuring the impact of your solution.

Effective problem solving can help ensure that your team or organization is well positioned to overcome challenges, be resilient to change and create innovation. In my experience, problem solving is a combination of skillset, mindset and process, and it’s especially vital for leaders to cultivate this skill.

What is the seven step problem solving process?

A problem solving process is a step-by-step framework from going from discovering a problem all the way through to implementing a solution.

With practice, this framework can become intuitive, and innovative companies tend to have a consistent and ongoing ability to discover and tackle challenges when they come up.

You might see everything from a four step problem solving process through to seven steps. While all these processes cover roughly the same ground, I’ve found a seven step problem solving process is helpful for making all key steps legible.

We’ll outline that process here and then follow with techniques you can use to explore and work on that step of the problem solving process with a group.

The seven-step problem solving process is:

1. Problem identification 

The first stage of any problem solving process is to identify the problem(s) you need to solve. This often looks like using group discussions and activities to help a group surface and effectively articulate the challenges they’re facing and wish to resolve.

Be sure to align with your team on the exact definition and nature of the problem you’re solving. An effective process is one where everyone is pulling in the same direction – ensure clarity and alignment now to help avoid misunderstandings later.

2. Problem analysis and refinement

The process of problem analysis means ensuring that the problem you are seeking to solve is  the   right problem . Choosing the right problem to solve means you are on the right path to creating the right solution.

At this stage, you may look deeper at the problem you identified to try and discover the root cause at the level of people or process. You may also spend some time sourcing data, consulting relevant parties and creating and refining a problem statement.

Problem refinement means adjusting scope or focus of the problem you will be aiming to solve based on what comes up during your analysis. As you analyze data sources, you might discover that the root cause means you need to adjust your problem statement. Alternatively, you might find that your original problem statement is too big to be meaningful approached within your current project.

Remember that the goal of any problem refinement is to help set the stage for effective solution development and deployment. Set the right focus and get buy-in from your team here and you’ll be well positioned to move forward with confidence.

3. Solution generation

Once your group has nailed down the particulars of the problem you wish to solve, you want to encourage a free flow of ideas connecting to solving that problem. This can take the form of problem solving games that encourage creative thinking or techniquess designed to produce working prototypes of possible solutions. 

The key to ensuring the success of this stage of the problem solving process is to encourage quick, creative thinking and create an open space where all ideas are considered. The best solutions can often come from unlikely places and by using problem solving techniques that celebrate invention, you might come up with solution gold. 

4. Solution development

No solution is perfect right out of the gate. It’s important to discuss and develop the solutions your group has come up with over the course of following the previous problem solving steps in order to arrive at the best possible solution. Problem solving games used in this stage involve lots of critical thinking, measuring potential effort and impact, and looking at possible solutions analytically. 

During this stage, you will often ask your team to iterate and improve upon your front-running solutions and develop them further. Remember that problem solving strategies always benefit from a multitude of voices and opinions, and not to let ego get involved when it comes to choosing which solutions to develop and take further.

Finding the best solution is the goal of all problem solving workshops and here is the place to ensure that your solution is well thought out, sufficiently robust and fit for purpose. 

5. Decision making and planning

Nearly there! Once you’ve got a set of possible, you’ll need to make a decision on which to implement. This can be a consensus-based group decision or it might be for a leader or major stakeholder to decide. You’ll find a set of effective decision making methods below.

Once your group has reached consensus and selected a solution, there are some additional actions that also need to be decided upon. You’ll want to work on allocating ownership of the project, figure out who will do what, how the success of the solution will be measured and decide the next course of action.

Set clear accountabilities, actions, timeframes, and follow-ups for your chosen solution. Make these decisions and set clear next-steps in the problem solving workshop so that everyone is aligned and you can move forward effectively as a group. 

Ensuring that you plan for the roll-out of a solution is one of the most important problem solving steps. Without adequate planning or oversight, it can prove impossible to measure success or iterate further if the problem was not solved. 

6. Solution implementation 

This is what we were waiting for! All problem solving processes have the end goal of implementing an effective and impactful solution that your group has confidence in.

Project management and communication skills are key here – your solution may need to adjust when out in the wild or you might discover new challenges along the way. For some solutions, you might also implement a test with a small group and monitor results before rolling it out to an entire company.

You should have a clear owner for your solution who will oversee the plans you made together and help ensure they’re put into place. This person will often coordinate the implementation team and set-up processes to measure the efficacy of your solution too.

7. Solution evaluation 

So you and your team developed a great solution to a problem and have a gut feeling it’s been solved. Work done, right? Wrong. All problem solving strategies benefit from evaluation, consideration, and feedback.

You might find that the solution does not work for everyone, might create new problems, or is potentially so successful that you will want to roll it out to larger teams or as part of other initiatives. 

None of that is possible without taking the time to evaluate the success of the solution you developed in your problem solving model and adjust if necessary.

Remember that the problem solving process is often iterative and it can be common to not solve complex issues on the first try. Even when this is the case, you and your team will have generated learning that will be important for future problem solving workshops or in other parts of the organization. 

It’s also worth underlining how important record keeping is throughout the problem solving process. If a solution didn’t work, you need to have the data and records to see why that was the case. If you go back to the drawing board, notes from the previous workshop can help save time.

What does an effective problem solving process look like?

Every effective problem solving process begins with an agenda . In our experience, a well-structured problem solving workshop is one of the best methods for successfully guiding a group from exploring a problem to implementing a solution.

The format of a workshop ensures that you can get buy-in from your group, encourage free-thinking and solution exploration before making a decision on what to implement following the session.

This Design Sprint 2.0 template is an effective problem solving process from top agency AJ&Smart. It’s a great format for the entire problem solving process, with four-days of workshops designed to surface issues, explore solutions and even test a solution.

Check it for an example of how you might structure and run a problem solving process and feel free to copy and adjust it your needs!

For a shorter process you can run in a single afternoon, this remote problem solving agenda will guide you effectively in just a couple of hours.

Whatever the length of your workshop, by using SessionLab, it’s easy to go from an idea to a complete agenda . Start by dragging and dropping your core problem solving activities into place . Add timings, breaks and necessary materials before sharing your agenda with your colleagues.

The resulting agenda will be your guide to an effective and productive problem solving session that will also help you stay organized on the day!

Complete problem-solving methods

In this section, we’ll look at in-depth problem-solving methods that provide a complete end-to-end process for developing effective solutions. These will help guide your team from the discovery and definition of a problem through to delivering the right solution.

If you’re looking for an all-encompassing method or problem-solving model, these processes are a great place to start. They’ll ask your team to challenge preconceived ideas and adopt a mindset for solving problems more effectively.

Six Thinking Hats

Individual approaches to solving a problem can be very different based on what team or role an individual holds. It can be easy for existing biases or perspectives to find their way into the mix, or for internal politics to direct a conversation.

Six Thinking Hats is a classic method for identifying the problems that need to be solved and enables your team to consider them from different angles, whether that is by focusing on facts and data, creative solutions, or by considering why a particular solution might not work.

Like all problem-solving frameworks, Six Thinking Hats is effective at helping teams remove roadblocks from a conversation or discussion and come to terms with all the aspects necessary to solve complex problems.

The Six Thinking Hats   #creative thinking   #meeting facilitation   #problem solving   #issue resolution   #idea generation   #conflict resolution   The Six Thinking Hats are used by individuals and groups to separate out conflicting styles of thinking. They enable and encourage a group of people to think constructively together in exploring and implementing change, rather than using argument to fight over who is right and who is wrong.

Lightning Decision Jam

Featured courtesy of Jonathan Courtney of AJ&Smart Berlin, Lightning Decision Jam is one of those strategies that should be in every facilitation toolbox. Exploring problems and finding solutions is often creative in nature, though as with any creative process, there is the potential to lose focus and get lost.

Unstructured discussions might get you there in the end, but it’s much more effective to use a method that creates a clear process and team focus.

In Lightning Decision Jam, participants are invited to begin by writing challenges, concerns, or mistakes on post-its without discussing them before then being invited by the moderator to present them to the group.

From there, the team vote on which problems to solve and are guided through steps that will allow them to reframe those problems, create solutions and then decide what to execute on. 

By deciding the problems that need to be solved as a team before moving on, this group process is great for ensuring the whole team is aligned and can take ownership over the next stages. 

Lightning Decision Jam (LDJ)   #action   #decision making   #problem solving   #issue analysis   #innovation   #design   #remote-friendly   It doesn’t matter where you work and what your job role is, if you work with other people together as a team, you will always encounter the same challenges: Unclear goals and miscommunication that cause busy work and overtime Unstructured meetings that leave attendants tired, confused and without clear outcomes. Frustration builds up because internal challenges to productivity are not addressed Sudden changes in priorities lead to a loss of focus and momentum Muddled compromise takes the place of clear decision- making, leaving everybody to come up with their own interpretation. In short, a lack of structure leads to a waste of time and effort, projects that drag on for too long and frustrated, burnt out teams. AJ&Smart has worked with some of the most innovative, productive companies in the world. What sets their teams apart from others is not better tools, bigger talent or more beautiful offices. The secret sauce to becoming a more productive, more creative and happier team is simple: Replace all open discussion or brainstorming with a structured process that leads to more ideas, clearer decisions and better outcomes. When a good process provides guardrails and a clear path to follow, it becomes easier to come up with ideas, make decisions and solve problems. This is why AJ&Smart created Lightning Decision Jam (LDJ). It’s a simple and short, but powerful group exercise that can be run either in-person, in the same room, or remotely with distributed teams.

Problem Definition Process

While problems can be complex, the problem-solving methods you use to identify and solve those problems can often be simple in design. 

By taking the time to truly identify and define a problem before asking the group to reframe the challenge as an opportunity, this method is a great way to enable change.

Begin by identifying a focus question and exploring the ways in which it manifests before splitting into five teams who will each consider the problem using a different method: escape, reversal, exaggeration, distortion or wishful. Teams develop a problem objective and create ideas in line with their method before then feeding them back to the group.

This method is great for enabling in-depth discussions while also creating space for finding creative solutions too!

Problem Definition   #problem solving   #idea generation   #creativity   #online   #remote-friendly   A problem solving technique to define a problem, challenge or opportunity and to generate ideas.

The 5 Whys 

Sometimes, a group needs to go further with their strategies and analyze the root cause at the heart of organizational issues. An RCA or root cause analysis is the process of identifying what is at the heart of business problems or recurring challenges. 

The 5 Whys is a simple and effective method of helping a group go find the root cause of any problem or challenge and conduct analysis that will deliver results. 

By beginning with the creation of a problem statement and going through five stages to refine it, The 5 Whys provides everything you need to truly discover the cause of an issue.

The 5 Whys   #hyperisland   #innovation   This simple and powerful method is useful for getting to the core of a problem or challenge. As the title suggests, the group defines a problems, then asks the question “why” five times, often using the resulting explanation as a starting point for creative problem solving.

World Cafe is a simple but powerful facilitation technique to help bigger groups to focus their energy and attention on solving complex problems.

World Cafe enables this approach by creating a relaxed atmosphere where participants are able to self-organize and explore topics relevant and important to them which are themed around a central problem-solving purpose. Create the right atmosphere by modeling your space after a cafe and after guiding the group through the method, let them take the lead!

Making problem-solving a part of your organization’s culture in the long term can be a difficult undertaking. More approachable formats like World Cafe can be especially effective in bringing people unfamiliar with workshops into the fold. 

World Cafe   #hyperisland   #innovation   #issue analysis   World Café is a simple yet powerful method, originated by Juanita Brown, for enabling meaningful conversations driven completely by participants and the topics that are relevant and important to them. Facilitators create a cafe-style space and provide simple guidelines. Participants then self-organize and explore a set of relevant topics or questions for conversation.

Discovery & Action Dialogue (DAD)

One of the best approaches is to create a safe space for a group to share and discover practices and behaviors that can help them find their own solutions.

With DAD, you can help a group choose which problems they wish to solve and which approaches they will take to do so. It’s great at helping remove resistance to change and can help get buy-in at every level too!

This process of enabling frontline ownership is great in ensuring follow-through and is one of the methods you will want in your toolbox as a facilitator.

Discovery & Action Dialogue (DAD)   #idea generation   #liberating structures   #action   #issue analysis   #remote-friendly   DADs make it easy for a group or community to discover practices and behaviors that enable some individuals (without access to special resources and facing the same constraints) to find better solutions than their peers to common problems. These are called positive deviant (PD) behaviors and practices. DADs make it possible for people in the group, unit, or community to discover by themselves these PD practices. DADs also create favorable conditions for stimulating participants’ creativity in spaces where they can feel safe to invent new and more effective practices. Resistance to change evaporates as participants are unleashed to choose freely which practices they will adopt or try and which problems they will tackle. DADs make it possible to achieve frontline ownership of solutions.

Design Sprint 2.0

Want to see how a team can solve big problems and move forward with prototyping and testing solutions in a few days? The Design Sprint 2.0 template from Jake Knapp, author of Sprint, is a complete agenda for a with proven results.

Developing the right agenda can involve difficult but necessary planning. Ensuring all the correct steps are followed can also be stressful or time-consuming depending on your level of experience.

Use this complete 4-day workshop template if you are finding there is no obvious solution to your challenge and want to focus your team around a specific problem that might require a shortcut to launching a minimum viable product or waiting for the organization-wide implementation of a solution.

Open space technology

Open space technology- developed by Harrison Owen – creates a space where large groups are invited to take ownership of their problem solving and lead individual sessions. Open space technology is a great format when you have a great deal of expertise and insight in the room and want to allow for different takes and approaches on a particular theme or problem you need to be solved.

Start by bringing your participants together to align around a central theme and focus their efforts. Explain the ground rules to help guide the problem-solving process and then invite members to identify any issue connecting to the central theme that they are interested in and are prepared to take responsibility for.

Once participants have decided on their approach to the core theme, they write their issue on a piece of paper, announce it to the group, pick a session time and place, and post the paper on the wall. As the wall fills up with sessions, the group is then invited to join the sessions that interest them the most and which they can contribute to, then you’re ready to begin!

Everyone joins the problem-solving group they’ve signed up to, record the discussion and if appropriate, findings can then be shared with the rest of the group afterward.

Open Space Technology   #action plan   #idea generation   #problem solving   #issue analysis   #large group   #online   #remote-friendly   Open Space is a methodology for large groups to create their agenda discerning important topics for discussion, suitable for conferences, community gatherings and whole system facilitation

Techniques to identify and analyze problems

Using a problem-solving method to help a team identify and analyze a problem can be a quick and effective addition to any workshop or meeting.

While further actions are always necessary, you can generate momentum and alignment easily, and these activities are a great place to get started.

We’ve put together this list of techniques to help you and your team with problem identification, analysis, and discussion that sets the foundation for developing effective solutions.

Let’s take a look!

Fishbone Analysis

Organizational or team challenges are rarely simple, and it’s important to remember that one problem can be an indication of something that goes deeper and may require further consideration to be solved.

Fishbone Analysis helps groups to dig deeper and understand the origins of a problem. It’s a great example of a root cause analysis method that is simple for everyone on a team to get their head around. 

Participants in this activity are asked to annotate a diagram of a fish, first adding the problem or issue to be worked on at the head of a fish before then brainstorming the root causes of the problem and adding them as bones on the fish. 

Using abstractions such as a diagram of a fish can really help a team break out of their regular thinking and develop a creative approach.

Fishbone Analysis   #problem solving   ##root cause analysis   #decision making   #online facilitation   A process to help identify and understand the origins of problems, issues or observations.

Problem Tree 

Encouraging visual thinking can be an essential part of many strategies. By simply reframing and clarifying problems, a group can move towards developing a problem solving model that works for them. 

In Problem Tree, groups are asked to first brainstorm a list of problems – these can be design problems, team problems or larger business problems – and then organize them into a hierarchy. The hierarchy could be from most important to least important or abstract to practical, though the key thing with problem solving games that involve this aspect is that your group has some way of managing and sorting all the issues that are raised.

Once you have a list of problems that need to be solved and have organized them accordingly, you’re then well-positioned for the next problem solving steps.

Problem tree   #define intentions   #create   #design   #issue analysis   A problem tree is a tool to clarify the hierarchy of problems addressed by the team within a design project; it represents high level problems or related sublevel problems.

SWOT Analysis

Chances are you’ve heard of the SWOT Analysis before. This problem-solving method focuses on identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats is a tried and tested method for both individuals and teams.

Start by creating a desired end state or outcome and bare this in mind – any process solving model is made more effective by knowing what you are moving towards. Create a quadrant made up of the four categories of a SWOT analysis and ask participants to generate ideas based on each of those quadrants.

Once you have those ideas assembled in their quadrants, cluster them together based on their affinity with other ideas. These clusters are then used to facilitate group conversations and move things forward. 

SWOT analysis   #gamestorming   #problem solving   #action   #meeting facilitation   The SWOT Analysis is a long-standing technique of looking at what we have, with respect to the desired end state, as well as what we could improve on. It gives us an opportunity to gauge approaching opportunities and dangers, and assess the seriousness of the conditions that affect our future. When we understand those conditions, we can influence what comes next.

Agreement-Certainty Matrix

Not every problem-solving approach is right for every challenge, and deciding on the right method for the challenge at hand is a key part of being an effective team.

The Agreement Certainty matrix helps teams align on the nature of the challenges facing them. By sorting problems from simple to chaotic, your team can understand what methods are suitable for each problem and what they can do to ensure effective results. 

If you are already using Liberating Structures techniques as part of your problem-solving strategy, the Agreement-Certainty Matrix can be an invaluable addition to your process. We’ve found it particularly if you are having issues with recurring problems in your organization and want to go deeper in understanding the root cause. 

Agreement-Certainty Matrix   #issue analysis   #liberating structures   #problem solving   You can help individuals or groups avoid the frequent mistake of trying to solve a problem with methods that are not adapted to the nature of their challenge. The combination of two questions makes it possible to easily sort challenges into four categories: simple, complicated, complex , and chaotic .  A problem is simple when it can be solved reliably with practices that are easy to duplicate.  It is complicated when experts are required to devise a sophisticated solution that will yield the desired results predictably.  A problem is complex when there are several valid ways to proceed but outcomes are not predictable in detail.  Chaotic is when the context is too turbulent to identify a path forward.  A loose analogy may be used to describe these differences: simple is like following a recipe, complicated like sending a rocket to the moon, complex like raising a child, and chaotic is like the game “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.”  The Liberating Structures Matching Matrix in Chapter 5 can be used as the first step to clarify the nature of a challenge and avoid the mismatches between problems and solutions that are frequently at the root of chronic, recurring problems.

Organizing and charting a team’s progress can be important in ensuring its success. SQUID (Sequential Question and Insight Diagram) is a great model that allows a team to effectively switch between giving questions and answers and develop the skills they need to stay on track throughout the process. 

Begin with two different colored sticky notes – one for questions and one for answers – and with your central topic (the head of the squid) on the board. Ask the group to first come up with a series of questions connected to their best guess of how to approach the topic. Ask the group to come up with answers to those questions, fix them to the board and connect them with a line. After some discussion, go back to question mode by responding to the generated answers or other points on the board.

It’s rewarding to see a diagram grow throughout the exercise, and a completed SQUID can provide a visual resource for future effort and as an example for other teams.

SQUID   #gamestorming   #project planning   #issue analysis   #problem solving   When exploring an information space, it’s important for a group to know where they are at any given time. By using SQUID, a group charts out the territory as they go and can navigate accordingly. SQUID stands for Sequential Question and Insight Diagram.

To continue with our nautical theme, Speed Boat is a short and sweet activity that can help a team quickly identify what employees, clients or service users might have a problem with and analyze what might be standing in the way of achieving a solution.

Methods that allow for a group to make observations, have insights and obtain those eureka moments quickly are invaluable when trying to solve complex problems.

In Speed Boat, the approach is to first consider what anchors and challenges might be holding an organization (or boat) back. Bonus points if you are able to identify any sharks in the water and develop ideas that can also deal with competitors!   

Speed Boat   #gamestorming   #problem solving   #action   Speedboat is a short and sweet way to identify what your employees or clients don’t like about your product/service or what’s standing in the way of a desired goal.

The Journalistic Six

Some of the most effective ways of solving problems is by encouraging teams to be more inclusive and diverse in their thinking.

Based on the six key questions journalism students are taught to answer in articles and news stories, The Journalistic Six helps create teams to see the whole picture. By using who, what, when, where, why, and how to facilitate the conversation and encourage creative thinking, your team can make sure that the problem identification and problem analysis stages of the are covered exhaustively and thoughtfully. Reporter’s notebook and dictaphone optional.

The Journalistic Six – Who What When Where Why How   #idea generation   #issue analysis   #problem solving   #online   #creative thinking   #remote-friendly   A questioning method for generating, explaining, investigating ideas.

Individual and group perspectives are incredibly important, but what happens if people are set in their minds and need a change of perspective in order to approach a problem more effectively?

Flip It is a method we love because it is both simple to understand and run, and allows groups to understand how their perspectives and biases are formed. 

Participants in Flip It are first invited to consider concerns, issues, or problems from a perspective of fear and write them on a flip chart. Then, the group is asked to consider those same issues from a perspective of hope and flip their understanding.  

No problem and solution is free from existing bias and by changing perspectives with Flip It, you can then develop a problem solving model quickly and effectively.

Flip It!   #gamestorming   #problem solving   #action   Often, a change in a problem or situation comes simply from a change in our perspectives. Flip It! is a quick game designed to show players that perspectives are made, not born.

LEGO Challenge

Now for an activity that is a little out of the (toy) box. LEGO Serious Play is a facilitation methodology that can be used to improve creative thinking and problem-solving skills. 

The LEGO Challenge includes giving each member of the team an assignment that is hidden from the rest of the group while they create a structure without speaking.

What the LEGO challenge brings to the table is a fun working example of working with stakeholders who might not be on the same page to solve problems. Also, it’s LEGO! Who doesn’t love LEGO! 

LEGO Challenge   #hyperisland   #team   A team-building activity in which groups must work together to build a structure out of LEGO, but each individual has a secret “assignment” which makes the collaborative process more challenging. It emphasizes group communication, leadership dynamics, conflict, cooperation, patience and problem solving strategy.

What, So What, Now What?

If not carefully managed, the problem identification and problem analysis stages of the problem-solving process can actually create more problems and misunderstandings.

The What, So What, Now What? problem-solving activity is designed to help collect insights and move forward while also eliminating the possibility of disagreement when it comes to identifying, clarifying, and analyzing organizational or work problems. 

Facilitation is all about bringing groups together so that might work on a shared goal and the best problem-solving strategies ensure that teams are aligned in purpose, if not initially in opinion or insight.

Throughout the three steps of this game, you give everyone on a team to reflect on a problem by asking what happened, why it is important, and what actions should then be taken. 

This can be a great activity for bringing our individual perceptions about a problem or challenge and contextualizing it in a larger group setting. This is one of the most important problem-solving skills you can bring to your organization.

W³ – What, So What, Now What?   #issue analysis   #innovation   #liberating structures   You can help groups reflect on a shared experience in a way that builds understanding and spurs coordinated action while avoiding unproductive conflict. It is possible for every voice to be heard while simultaneously sifting for insights and shaping new direction. Progressing in stages makes this practical—from collecting facts about What Happened to making sense of these facts with So What and finally to what actions logically follow with Now What . The shared progression eliminates most of the misunderstandings that otherwise fuel disagreements about what to do. Voila!

Journalists  

Problem analysis can be one of the most important and decisive stages of all problem-solving tools. Sometimes, a team can become bogged down in the details and are unable to move forward.

Journalists is an activity that can avoid a group from getting stuck in the problem identification or problem analysis stages of the process.

In Journalists, the group is invited to draft the front page of a fictional newspaper and figure out what stories deserve to be on the cover and what headlines those stories will have. By reframing how your problems and challenges are approached, you can help a team move productively through the process and be better prepared for the steps to follow.

Journalists   #vision   #big picture   #issue analysis   #remote-friendly   This is an exercise to use when the group gets stuck in details and struggles to see the big picture. Also good for defining a vision.

Problem-solving techniques for brainstorming solutions

Now you have the context and background of the problem you are trying to solving, now comes the time to start ideating and thinking about how you’ll solve the issue.

Here, you’ll want to encourage creative, free thinking and speed. Get as many ideas out as possible and explore different perspectives so you have the raw material for the next step.

Looking at a problem from a new angle can be one of the most effective ways of creating an effective solution. TRIZ is a problem-solving tool that asks the group to consider what they must not do in order to solve a challenge.

By reversing the discussion, new topics and taboo subjects often emerge, allowing the group to think more deeply and create ideas that confront the status quo in a safe and meaningful way. If you’re working on a problem that you’ve tried to solve before, TRIZ is a great problem-solving method to help your team get unblocked.

Making Space with TRIZ   #issue analysis   #liberating structures   #issue resolution   You can clear space for innovation by helping a group let go of what it knows (but rarely admits) limits its success and by inviting creative destruction. TRIZ makes it possible to challenge sacred cows safely and encourages heretical thinking. The question “What must we stop doing to make progress on our deepest purpose?” induces seriously fun yet very courageous conversations. Since laughter often erupts, issues that are otherwise taboo get a chance to be aired and confronted. With creative destruction come opportunities for renewal as local action and innovation rush in to fill the vacuum. Whoosh!

Mindspin  

Brainstorming is part of the bread and butter of the problem-solving process and all problem-solving strategies benefit from getting ideas out and challenging a team to generate solutions quickly. 

With Mindspin, participants are encouraged not only to generate ideas but to do so under time constraints and by slamming down cards and passing them on. By doing multiple rounds, your team can begin with a free generation of possible solutions before moving on to developing those solutions and encouraging further ideation. 

This is one of our favorite problem-solving activities and can be great for keeping the energy up throughout the workshop. Remember the importance of helping people become engaged in the process – energizing problem-solving techniques like Mindspin can help ensure your team stays engaged and happy, even when the problems they’re coming together to solve are complex. 

MindSpin   #teampedia   #idea generation   #problem solving   #action   A fast and loud method to enhance brainstorming within a team. Since this activity has more than round ideas that are repetitive can be ruled out leaving more creative and innovative answers to the challenge.

The Creativity Dice

One of the most useful problem solving skills you can teach your team is of approaching challenges with creativity, flexibility, and openness. Games like The Creativity Dice allow teams to overcome the potential hurdle of too much linear thinking and approach the process with a sense of fun and speed. 

In The Creativity Dice, participants are organized around a topic and roll a dice to determine what they will work on for a period of 3 minutes at a time. They might roll a 3 and work on investigating factual information on the chosen topic. They might roll a 1 and work on identifying the specific goals, standards, or criteria for the session.

Encouraging rapid work and iteration while asking participants to be flexible are great skills to cultivate. Having a stage for idea incubation in this game is also important. Moments of pause can help ensure the ideas that are put forward are the most suitable. 

The Creativity Dice   #creativity   #problem solving   #thiagi   #issue analysis   Too much linear thinking is hazardous to creative problem solving. To be creative, you should approach the problem (or the opportunity) from different points of view. You should leave a thought hanging in mid-air and move to another. This skipping around prevents premature closure and lets your brain incubate one line of thought while you consciously pursue another.

Idea and Concept Development

Brainstorming without structure can quickly become chaotic or frustrating. In a problem-solving context, having an ideation framework to follow can help ensure your team is both creative and disciplined.

In this method, you’ll find an idea generation process that encourages your group to brainstorm effectively before developing their ideas and begin clustering them together. By using concepts such as Yes and…, more is more and postponing judgement, you can create the ideal conditions for brainstorming with ease.

Idea & Concept Development   #hyperisland   #innovation   #idea generation   Ideation and Concept Development is a process for groups to work creatively and collaboratively to generate creative ideas. It’s a general approach that can be adapted and customized to suit many different scenarios. It includes basic principles for idea generation and several steps for groups to work with. It also includes steps for idea selection and development.

Problem-solving techniques for developing and refining solutions 

The success of any problem-solving process can be measured by the solutions it produces. After you’ve defined the issue, explored existing ideas, and ideated, it’s time to develop and refine your ideas in order to bring them closer to a solution that actually solves the problem.

Use these problem-solving techniques when you want to help your team think through their ideas and refine them as part of your problem solving process.

Improved Solutions

After a team has successfully identified a problem and come up with a few solutions, it can be tempting to call the work of the problem-solving process complete. That said, the first solution is not necessarily the best, and by including a further review and reflection activity into your problem-solving model, you can ensure your group reaches the best possible result. 

One of a number of problem-solving games from Thiagi Group, Improved Solutions helps you go the extra mile and develop suggested solutions with close consideration and peer review. By supporting the discussion of several problems at once and by shifting team roles throughout, this problem-solving technique is a dynamic way of finding the best solution. 

Improved Solutions   #creativity   #thiagi   #problem solving   #action   #team   You can improve any solution by objectively reviewing its strengths and weaknesses and making suitable adjustments. In this creativity framegame, you improve the solutions to several problems. To maintain objective detachment, you deal with a different problem during each of six rounds and assume different roles (problem owner, consultant, basher, booster, enhancer, and evaluator) during each round. At the conclusion of the activity, each player ends up with two solutions to her problem.

Four Step Sketch

Creative thinking and visual ideation does not need to be confined to the opening stages of your problem-solving strategies. Exercises that include sketching and prototyping on paper can be effective at the solution finding and development stage of the process, and can be great for keeping a team engaged. 

By going from simple notes to a crazy 8s round that involves rapidly sketching 8 variations on their ideas before then producing a final solution sketch, the group is able to iterate quickly and visually. Problem-solving techniques like Four-Step Sketch are great if you have a group of different thinkers and want to change things up from a more textual or discussion-based approach.

Four-Step Sketch   #design sprint   #innovation   #idea generation   #remote-friendly   The four-step sketch is an exercise that helps people to create well-formed concepts through a structured process that includes: Review key information Start design work on paper,  Consider multiple variations , Create a detailed solution . This exercise is preceded by a set of other activities allowing the group to clarify the challenge they want to solve. See how the Four Step Sketch exercise fits into a Design Sprint

Ensuring that everyone in a group is able to contribute to a discussion is vital during any problem solving process. Not only does this ensure all bases are covered, but its then easier to get buy-in and accountability when people have been able to contribute to the process.

1-2-4-All is a tried and tested facilitation technique where participants are asked to first brainstorm on a topic on their own. Next, they discuss and share ideas in a pair before moving into a small group. Those groups are then asked to present the best idea from their discussion to the rest of the team.

This method can be used in many different contexts effectively, though I find it particularly shines in the idea development stage of the process. Giving each participant time to concretize their ideas and develop them in progressively larger groups can create a great space for both innovation and psychological safety.

1-2-4-All   #idea generation   #liberating structures   #issue analysis   With this facilitation technique you can immediately include everyone regardless of how large the group is. You can generate better ideas and more of them faster than ever before. You can tap the know-how and imagination that is distributed widely in places not known in advance. Open, generative conversation unfolds. Ideas and solutions are sifted in rapid fashion. Most importantly, participants own the ideas, so follow-up and implementation is simplified. No buy-in strategies needed! Simple and elegant!

15% Solutions

Some problems are simpler than others and with the right problem-solving activities, you can empower people to take immediate actions that can help create organizational change. 

Part of the liberating structures toolkit, 15% solutions is a problem-solving technique that focuses on finding and implementing solutions quickly. A process of iterating and making small changes quickly can help generate momentum and an appetite for solving complex problems.

Problem-solving strategies can live and die on whether people are onboard. Getting some quick wins is a great way of getting people behind the process.   

It can be extremely empowering for a team to realize that problem-solving techniques can be deployed quickly and easily and delineate between things they can positively impact and those things they cannot change. 

15% Solutions   #action   #liberating structures   #remote-friendly   You can reveal the actions, however small, that everyone can do immediately. At a minimum, these will create momentum, and that may make a BIG difference.  15% Solutions show that there is no reason to wait around, feel powerless, or fearful. They help people pick it up a level. They get individuals and the group to focus on what is within their discretion instead of what they cannot change.  With a very simple question, you can flip the conversation to what can be done and find solutions to big problems that are often distributed widely in places not known in advance. Shifting a few grains of sand may trigger a landslide and change the whole landscape.

Problem-solving techniques for making decisions and planning

After your group is happy with the possible solutions you’ve developed, now comes the time to choose which to implement. There’s more than one way to make a decision and the best option is often dependant on the needs and set-up of your group.

Sometimes, it’s the case that you’ll want to vote as a group on what is likely to be the most impactful solution. Other times, it might be down to a decision maker or major stakeholder to make the final decision. Whatever your process, here’s some techniques you can use to help you make a decision during your problem solving process.

How-Now-Wow Matrix

The problem-solving process is often creative, as complex problems usually require a change of thinking and creative response in order to find the best solutions. While it’s common for the first stages to encourage creative thinking, groups can often gravitate to familiar solutions when it comes to the end of the process. 

When selecting solutions, you don’t want to lose your creative energy! The How-Now-Wow Matrix from Gamestorming is a great problem-solving activity that enables a group to stay creative and think out of the box when it comes to selecting the right solution for a given problem.

Problem-solving techniques that encourage creative thinking and the ideation and selection of new solutions can be the most effective in organisational change. Give the How-Now-Wow Matrix a go, and not just for how pleasant it is to say out loud. 

How-Now-Wow Matrix   #gamestorming   #idea generation   #remote-friendly   When people want to develop new ideas, they most often think out of the box in the brainstorming or divergent phase. However, when it comes to convergence, people often end up picking ideas that are most familiar to them. This is called a ‘creative paradox’ or a ‘creadox’. The How-Now-Wow matrix is an idea selection tool that breaks the creadox by forcing people to weigh each idea on 2 parameters.

Impact and Effort Matrix

All problem-solving techniques hope to not only find solutions to a given problem or challenge but to find the best solution. When it comes to finding a solution, groups are invited to put on their decision-making hats and really think about how a proposed idea would work in practice. 

The Impact and Effort Matrix is one of the problem-solving techniques that fall into this camp, empowering participants to first generate ideas and then categorize them into a 2×2 matrix based on impact and effort.

Activities that invite critical thinking while remaining simple are invaluable. Use the Impact and Effort Matrix to move from ideation and towards evaluating potential solutions before then committing to them. 

Impact and Effort Matrix   #gamestorming   #decision making   #action   #remote-friendly   In this decision-making exercise, possible actions are mapped based on two factors: effort required to implement and potential impact. Categorizing ideas along these lines is a useful technique in decision making, as it obliges contributors to balance and evaluate suggested actions before committing to them.

If you’ve followed each of the problem-solving steps with your group successfully, you should move towards the end of your process with heaps of possible solutions developed with a specific problem in mind. But how do you help a group go from ideation to putting a solution into action? 

Dotmocracy – or Dot Voting -is a tried and tested method of helping a team in the problem-solving process make decisions and put actions in place with a degree of oversight and consensus. 

One of the problem-solving techniques that should be in every facilitator’s toolbox, Dot Voting is fast and effective and can help identify the most popular and best solutions and help bring a group to a decision effectively. 

Dotmocracy   #action   #decision making   #group prioritization   #hyperisland   #remote-friendly   Dotmocracy is a simple method for group prioritization or decision-making. It is not an activity on its own, but a method to use in processes where prioritization or decision-making is the aim. The method supports a group to quickly see which options are most popular or relevant. The options or ideas are written on post-its and stuck up on a wall for the whole group to see. Each person votes for the options they think are the strongest, and that information is used to inform a decision.

Straddling the gap between decision making and planning, MoSCoW is a simple and effective method that allows a group team to easily prioritize a set of possible options.

Use this method in a problem solving process by collecting and summarizing all your possible solutions and then categorize them into 4 sections: “Must have”, “Should have”, “Could have”, or “Would like but won‘t get”.

This method is particularly useful when its less about choosing one possible solution and more about prioritorizing which to do first and which may not fit in the scope of your project. In my experience, complex challenges often require multiple small fixes, and this method can be a great way to move from a pile of things you’d all like to do to a structured plan.

MoSCoW   #define intentions   #create   #design   #action   #remote-friendly   MoSCoW is a method that allows the team to prioritize the different features that they will work on. Features are then categorized into “Must have”, “Should have”, “Could have”, or “Would like but won‘t get”. To be used at the beginning of a timeslot (for example during Sprint planning) and when planning is needed.

When it comes to managing the rollout of a solution, clarity and accountability are key factors in ensuring the success of the project. The RAACI chart is a simple but effective model for setting roles and responsibilities as part of a planning session.

Start by listing each person involved in the project and put them into the following groups in order to make it clear who is responsible for what during the rollout of your solution.

• Responsibility  (Which person and/or team will be taking action?)
• Authority  (At what “point” must the responsible person check in before going further?)
• Accountability  (Who must the responsible person check in with?)
• Consultation  (Who must be consulted by the responsible person before decisions are made?)
• Information  (Who must be informed of decisions, once made?)

Ensure this information is easily accessible and use it to inform who does what and who is looped into discussions and kept up to date.

RAACI   #roles and responsibility   #teamwork   #project management   Clarifying roles and responsibilities, levels of autonomy/latitude in decision making, and levels of engagement among diverse stakeholders.

Problem-solving warm-up activities

All facilitators know that warm-ups and icebreakers are useful for any workshop or group process. Problem-solving workshops are no different.

Use these problem-solving techniques to warm up a group and prepare them for the rest of the process. Activating your group by tapping into some of the top problem-solving skills can be one of the best ways to see great outcomes from your session.

Check-in / Check-out

Solid processes are planned from beginning to end, and the best facilitators know that setting the tone and establishing a safe, open environment can be integral to a successful problem-solving process. Check-in / Check-out is a great way to begin and/or bookend a problem-solving workshop. Checking in to a session emphasizes that everyone will be seen, heard, and expected to contribute. 

If you are running a series of meetings, setting a consistent pattern of checking in and checking out can really help your team get into a groove. We recommend this opening-closing activity for small to medium-sized groups though it can work with large groups if they’re disciplined!

Check-in / Check-out   #team   #opening   #closing   #hyperisland   #remote-friendly   Either checking-in or checking-out is a simple way for a team to open or close a process, symbolically and in a collaborative way. Checking-in/out invites each member in a group to be present, seen and heard, and to express a reflection or a feeling. Checking-in emphasizes presence, focus and group commitment; checking-out emphasizes reflection and symbolic closure.

Doodling Together  

Thinking creatively and not being afraid to make suggestions are important problem-solving skills for any group or team, and warming up by encouraging these behaviors is a great way to start. 

Doodling Together is one of our favorite creative ice breaker games – it’s quick, effective, and fun and can make all following problem-solving steps easier by encouraging a group to collaborate visually. By passing cards and adding additional items as they go, the workshop group gets into a groove of co-creation and idea development that is crucial to finding solutions to problems. 

Doodling Together   #collaboration   #creativity   #teamwork   #fun   #team   #visual methods   #energiser   #icebreaker   #remote-friendly   Create wild, weird and often funny postcards together & establish a group’s creative confidence.

Show and Tell

You might remember some version of Show and Tell from being a kid in school and it’s a great problem-solving activity to kick off a session.

Asking participants to prepare a little something before a workshop by bringing an object for show and tell can help them warm up before the session has even begun! Games that include a physical object can also help encourage early engagement before moving onto more big-picture thinking.

By asking your participants to tell stories about why they chose to bring a particular item to the group, you can help teams see things from new perspectives and see both differences and similarities in the way they approach a topic. Great groundwork for approaching a problem-solving process as a team! 

Show and Tell   #gamestorming   #action   #opening   #meeting facilitation   Show and Tell taps into the power of metaphors to reveal players’ underlying assumptions and associations around a topic The aim of the game is to get a deeper understanding of stakeholders’ perspectives on anything—a new project, an organizational restructuring, a shift in the company’s vision or team dynamic.

Constellations

Who doesn’t love stars? Constellations is a great warm-up activity for any workshop as it gets people up off their feet, energized, and ready to engage in new ways with established topics. It’s also great for showing existing beliefs, biases, and patterns that can come into play as part of your session.

Using warm-up games that help build trust and connection while also allowing for non-verbal responses can be great for easing people into the problem-solving process and encouraging engagement from everyone in the group. Constellations is great in large spaces that allow for movement and is definitely a practical exercise to allow the group to see patterns that are otherwise invisible. 

Constellations   #trust   #connection   #opening   #coaching   #patterns   #system   Individuals express their response to a statement or idea by standing closer or further from a central object. Used with teams to reveal system, hidden patterns, perspectives.

Draw a Tree

Problem-solving games that help raise group awareness through a central, unifying metaphor can be effective ways to warm-up a group in any problem-solving model.

Draw a Tree is a simple warm-up activity you can use in any group and which can provide a quick jolt of energy. Start by asking your participants to draw a tree in just 45 seconds – they can choose whether it will be abstract or realistic. 

Once the timer is up, ask the group how many people included the roots of the tree and use this as a means to discuss how we can ignore important parts of any system simply because they are not visible.

All problem-solving strategies are made more effective by thinking of problems critically and by exposing things that may not normally come to light. Warm-up games like Draw a Tree are great in that they quickly demonstrate some key problem-solving skills in an accessible and effective way.

Draw a Tree   #thiagi   #opening   #perspectives   #remote-friendly   With this game you can raise awarness about being more mindful, and aware of the environment we live in.

Closing activities for a problem-solving process

Each step of the problem-solving workshop benefits from an intelligent deployment of activities, games, and techniques. Bringing your session to an effective close helps ensure that solutions are followed through on and that you also celebrate what has been achieved.

Here are some problem-solving activities you can use to effectively close a workshop or meeting and ensure the great work you’ve done can continue afterward.

One Breath Feedback

Maintaining attention and focus during the closing stages of a problem-solving workshop can be tricky and so being concise when giving feedback can be important. It’s easy to incur “death by feedback” should some team members go on for too long sharing their perspectives in a quick feedback round. 

One Breath Feedback is a great closing activity for workshops. You give everyone an opportunity to provide feedback on what they’ve done but only in the space of a single breath. This keeps feedback short and to the point and means that everyone is encouraged to provide the most important piece of feedback to them. 

One breath feedback   #closing   #feedback   #action   This is a feedback round in just one breath that excels in maintaining attention: each participants is able to speak during just one breath … for most people that’s around 20 to 25 seconds … unless of course you’ve been a deep sea diver in which case you’ll be able to do it for longer.

Who What When Matrix 

Matrices feature as part of many effective problem-solving strategies and with good reason. They are easily recognizable, simple to use, and generate results.

The Who What When Matrix is a great tool to use when closing your problem-solving session by attributing a who, what and when to the actions and solutions you have decided upon. The resulting matrix is a simple, easy-to-follow way of ensuring your team can move forward. 

Great solutions can’t be enacted without action and ownership. Your problem-solving process should include a stage for allocating tasks to individuals or teams and creating a realistic timeframe for those solutions to be implemented or checked out. Use this method to keep the solution implementation process clear and simple for all involved. 

Who/What/When Matrix   #gamestorming   #action   #project planning   With Who/What/When matrix, you can connect people with clear actions they have defined and have committed to.

Response cards

Group discussion can comprise the bulk of most problem-solving activities and by the end of the process, you might find that your team is talked out! 

Providing a means for your team to give feedback with short written notes can ensure everyone is head and can contribute without the need to stand up and talk. Depending on the needs of the group, giving an alternative can help ensure everyone can contribute to your problem-solving model in the way that makes the most sense for them.

Response Cards is a great way to close a workshop if you are looking for a gentle warm-down and want to get some swift discussion around some of the feedback that is raised. 

Response Cards   #debriefing   #closing   #structured sharing   #questions and answers   #thiagi   #action   It can be hard to involve everyone during a closing of a session. Some might stay in the background or get unheard because of louder participants. However, with the use of Response Cards, everyone will be involved in providing feedback or clarify questions at the end of a session.

Tips for effective problem solving

Problem-solving activities are only one part of the puzzle. While a great method can help unlock your team’s ability to solve problems, without a thoughtful approach and strong facilitation the solutions may not be fit for purpose.

Let’s take a look at some problem-solving tips you can apply to any process to help it be a success!

Clearly define the problem

Jumping straight to solutions can be tempting, though without first clearly articulating a problem, the solution might not be the right one. Many of the problem-solving activities below include sections where the problem is explored and clearly defined before moving on.

This is a vital part of the problem-solving process and taking the time to fully define an issue can save time and effort later. A clear definition helps identify irrelevant information and it also ensures that your team sets off on the right track.

Don’t jump to conclusions

It’s easy for groups to exhibit cognitive bias or have preconceived ideas about both problems and potential solutions. Be sure to back up any problem statements or potential solutions with facts, research, and adequate forethought.

The best techniques ask participants to be methodical and challenge preconceived notions. Make sure you give the group enough time and space to collect relevant information and consider the problem in a new way. By approaching the process with a clear, rational mindset, you’ll often find that better solutions are more forthcoming.  

Try different approaches  

Problems come in all shapes and sizes and so too should the methods you use to solve them. If you find that one approach isn’t yielding results and your team isn’t finding different solutions, try mixing it up. You’ll be surprised at how using a new creative activity can unblock your team and generate great solutions.

Don’t take it personally 

Depending on the nature of your team or organizational problems, it’s easy for conversations to get heated. While it’s good for participants to be engaged in the discussions, ensure that emotions don’t run too high and that blame isn’t thrown around while finding solutions.

You’re all in it together, and even if your team or area is seeing problems, that isn’t necessarily a disparagement of you personally. Using facilitation skills to manage group dynamics is one effective method of helping conversations be more constructive.

Get the right people in the room

Your problem-solving method is often only as effective as the group using it. Getting the right people on the job and managing the number of people present is important too!

If the group is too small, you may not get enough different perspectives to effectively solve a problem. If the group is too large, you can go round and round during the ideation stages.

Creating the right group makeup is also important in ensuring you have the necessary expertise and skillset to both identify and follow up on potential solutions. Carefully consider who to include at each stage to help ensure your problem-solving method is followed and positioned for success.

Create psychologically safe spaces for discussion

Identifying a problem accurately also requires that all members of a group are able to contribute their views in an open and safe manner.

It can be tough for people to stand up and contribute if the problems or challenges are emotive or personal in nature. Try and create a psychologically safe space for these kinds of discussions and where possible, create regular opportunities for challenges to be brought up organically.

Document everything

The best solutions can take refinement, iteration, and reflection to come out. Get into a habit of documenting your process in order to keep all the learnings from the session and to allow ideas to mature and develop. Many of the methods below involve the creation of documents or shared resources. Be sure to keep and share these so everyone can benefit from the work done!

Bring a facilitator 

Facilitation is all about making group processes easier. With a subject as potentially emotive and important as problem-solving, having an impartial third party in the form of a facilitator can make all the difference in finding great solutions and keeping the process moving. Consider bringing a facilitator to your problem-solving session to get better results and generate meaningful solutions!

Develop your problem-solving skills

It takes time and practice to be an effective problem solver. While some roles or participants might more naturally gravitate towards problem-solving, it can take development and planning to help everyone create better solutions.

You might develop a training program, run a problem-solving workshop or simply ask your team to practice using the techniques below. Check out our post on problem-solving skills to see how you and your group can develop the right mental process and be more resilient to issues too!

Design a great agenda

Workshops are a great format for solving problems. With the right approach, you can focus a group and help them find the solutions to their own problems. But designing a process can be time-consuming and finding the right activities can be difficult.

Check out our workshop planning guide to level-up your agenda design and start running more effective workshops. Need inspiration? Check out templates designed by expert facilitators to help you kickstart your process!

Save time and effort creating an effective problem solving process

A structured problem solving process is a surefire way of solving tough problems, discovering creative solutions and driving organizational change. But how can you design for successful outcomes?

With SessionLab, it’s easy to design engaging workshops that deliver results. Drag, drop and reorder blocks  to build your agenda. When you make changes or update your agenda, your session  timing   adjusts automatically , saving you time on manual adjustments.

Collaborating with stakeholders or clients? Share your agenda with a single click and collaborate in real-time. No more sending documents back and forth over email.

Explore  how to use SessionLab  to design effective problem solving workshops or  watch this five minute video  to see the planner in action!

Over to you

The problem-solving process can often be as complicated and multifaceted as the problems they are set-up to solve. With the right problem-solving techniques and a mix of exercises designed to guide discussion and generate purposeful ideas, we hope we’ve given you the tools to find the best solutions as simply and easily as possible.

Is there a problem-solving technique that you are missing here? Do you have a favorite activity or method you use when facilitating? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you! 

James Smart is Head of Content at SessionLab. He’s also a creative facilitator who has run workshops and designed courses for establishments like the National Centre for Writing, UK. He especially enjoys working with young people and empowering others in their creative practice.

thank you very much for these excellent techniques

Certainly wonderful article, very detailed. Shared!

Your list of techniques for problem solving can be helpfully extended by adding TRIZ to the list of techniques. TRIZ has 40 problem solving techniques derived from methods inventros and patent holders used to get new patents. About 10-12 are general approaches. many organization sponsor classes in TRIZ that are used to solve business problems or general organiztational problems. You can take a look at TRIZ and dwonload a free internet booklet to see if you feel it shound be included per your selection process.

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Methods to Solve Any Engineering Problem

In our day to day life we came across various engineering problems. Once we face these engineering problems few questions will come in our mind like How to resolve it? What are different methods?  Which is the simplest or best method? 

In this paragraphs, we will discuss various methods to solve any engineering problems & their comparison with each other. There are three basic methods to solve any engineering methods.

• Analytical Methods
• Numerical Methods
• Experimental methods

1. Analytical Methods:  

The analytical method is most widely used in curriculum study as well as used by industrial designers to solve the engineering problems. It is a classical approach which gives 100 % accurate results. This approach is also referred to as hand calculations; as in this method various mathematical equations & functions are used to find output variables & derive closed form solutions. This method is mainly applicable for simpler problems like cantilever and simply supported fixed beams, etc. 

Though the analytical approach is 100 % accurate, it could also give approximate results if the solution is not closed form. An equation is said to be a closed-form solution if it solves a given problem in terms of mathematical operations & functions from a given generally accepted set. For example, an infinite sum would generally not be considered closed-form.

2. Numerical Method:

When we come across more complex problems, in which both analytical and experimental methods do not work, numerical methods are driving the solutions. CAE engineers or analysts most widely use numerical methods to solve their engineering problems. This numerical method uses computational techniques through simulation software’s & large infrastructures, etc. Numerical methods do not need physical models or prototypes, it builds mathematical models to replicate real life complex problems and while doing so, several assumptions were made to simulate the analysis. Therefore, the results from this method are approximate. So, you cannot believe the results blindly and hence, sometimes sanity checks are needed to validate the simulation either by hand calculations or by physical testing, etc.

The four common numerical methods used to solve engineering problems are:

• The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a popular numerical technique used to determine the approximated solution for a partial differential equation (PDE). 
• Applications : Linear, nonlinear, buckling, thermal, dynamic, and fatigue analysis
• Powerful and efficient technique to solve acoustics or NVH problems.  Just like FEA, it also requires nodes and elements, but it only considers the outer boundary of the domain. So when the problem is of a volume, only the outer surfaces are considered. Similarly if the domain is of an area, then only the outer periphery is considered. By doing so it reduces the dimensionality of the problems by one degree resulting in faster problem solving. BEM is often more efficient than other methods in terms of computational resources for problems where there is a small surface or volume ratio. 
• Applications : Acoustics, NVH
• The FVM method representing and evaluating partial differential equations as an algebraic equations method is used in many computational fluid dynamics packages. It is very similar to FDM, where the values are calculated at discrete volumes on a generic geometry. The advantage of this method is that it is easily formulated to allow for unstructured meshes.
• Applications : CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and Computational Electromagnetic
• It uses Taylor’s series to convert a differential equation to an algebraic equation. In the conversion process, higher order terms are neglected. 
• It is used in combination with BEM or FVM to solve thermal and CFD coupled problems.

Can we solve the same problem with all Numerical methods? The answer is YES, but substantial differences exist between this method in terms of accuracy, ease of programming & computational time, etc.

3. Experimental Method:

Experimental method is also known as physical testing. It is one of the most reliable methods and widely used in industry for product prototype testing.

In this method, the product or component is tested in real time operating conditions & actual measurement were reported. So in order to use this method, you will need a physical prototype of the product or structure you want to be analyzed. Only one prototype testing is not sufficient, for final outcome of analysis 3 to 5 prototype testing is required. Due to this, the experimental method is time consuming, requires expensive physical setup which results in additional cost rather than actual products.  

Physical testing is performed with the help of various measuring equipment like strain gauges, different sensors, measuring devices like accelerators, etc. to calculate various parameters of the experiment. Examples: Compressor manufacturers are doing prototype testing to mitigate the vibration levels on prototypes. Here, different accelerators are placed at various point on prototype and acceleration levels are measured for operational loads.

Below images shows the simple cantilever beam problems solution by three different methods approach.

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Optimization techniques in the localization problem: a survey on recent advances.

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Stefanoni, M.; Sarcevic, P.; Sárosi, J.; Odry, A. Optimization Techniques in the Localization Problem: A Survey on Recent Advances. Machines 2024 , 12 , 569. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12080569

Stefanoni M, Sarcevic P, Sárosi J, Odry A. Optimization Techniques in the Localization Problem: A Survey on Recent Advances. Machines . 2024; 12(8):569. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12080569

Stefanoni, Massimo, Peter Sarcevic, József Sárosi, and Akos Odry. 2024. "Optimization Techniques in the Localization Problem: A Survey on Recent Advances" Machines 12, no. 8: 569. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12080569

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How to Improve Problem Solving Skills

Quick Summary

• Problem-solving skills are essential for personal growth, career advancement, and tackling life’s challenges. 62% of recruiters seek people who can solve complex problems.
• Learning how to improve problem solving skills will help you applying these skills to various situations from debugging to organizing schedules.
• Core techniques include breaking problems down, analyzing systematically, and applying creative thinking are essential strategies in different fields. Continuous practice, embracing challenges, and learning from mistakes helps to improve problem-solving abilities.

Table of Contents

Picture this situation

“You’re faced with a tricky situation at work, a challenging coding problem, or a complex personal decision. Your heart races, your palms get sweaty, and your mind goes completely blank. Sound familiar?”

That’s where solid problem-solving skills come in handy. They’re not just for math whzzes or tech gurus – they’re essential tools for everyone, every day.

According to Abraham Lincoln “ Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. “  

This famous quote depicts the importance of problem solving skills. 

How to improve problem solving skills isn’t just about acing tests or impressing your boss (though those are nice perks). It’s about growing as a person, boosting your confidence, and opening doors to new opportunities you might never have imagined. Currently, 62% of recruiters are seeking people who can solve complex things. 

Whether you’re debugging code that refuses to cooperate, engineering the next big thing that could change the world, or just figuring out how to organise your chaotic schedule, these skills are your trusty sidekick.

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get into the nitty-gritty of becoming a problem-solving pro.

Core Problem Solving Techniques

At the heart of how to improve problem solving skills lies a set of core techniques. These are your go-to strategies, applicable across various fields and situations. Think of them as the Swiss Army knife in your mental toolkit – versatile, reliable, and always ready when you need them.

• Break it down

When faced with a big, scary problem, your first instinct might be to run for the hills. Instead, take a deep breath and start slicing that monster into smaller, more manageable chunks. It’s like eating an elephant – one bite at a time. This approach makes even the most daunting tasks seem doable.

Here’s where you let your imagination run wild. Let your ideas flow freely, no matter how crasy they might seem. No judgment, just pure creativity. You never know which wild idea might lead to the perfect solution. Remember, some of the world’s greatest inventions started as “crasy” ideas.

Once you have a list of potential solutions, it’s time to put on your critic’s hat. Weigh the pros and cons of each option. Consider factors like feasibility, resources required, potential outcomes, and possible obstacles. This step helps you separate the wheat from the chaff.

Choose the best solution and put it into action. Remember, a good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow. Don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis – sometimes, you need to take the plunge and learn as you go.

After implementing your solution, take a step back and assess the results. What worked? What didn’t? This reflection is crucial for continuous improvement. It’s not just about solving the current problem, but also about becoming better at problem-solving in general.

Problem-solving is rarely a one-and-done deal. Use what you’ve learned to refine your approach and tackle similar problems more effectively in the future. Each problem you solve is a stepping stone to becoming a better problem solver.

Improving Problem Solving Skills in Different Fields

Now, let’s explore how to improve problem solving skills in specific areas. Whether you’re a budding programmer dreaming of creating the next big app, an aspiring engineer with visions of innovative designs, or a student preparing for competitive exams, we’ve got you covered.

Programming Problem Solving Skills

In the fast-paced world of technology, knowing how to improve problem solving skills in programming is like having a superpower. Here’s how you can level up your coding game:

• Code regularly: Practice makes perfect, and coding is no exception. Set aside time each day to write code, even if it’s just for fun. The more you code, the more natural it becomes.
• Take on challenges: Platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, and CodeWars offer coding pussles that will put your skills to the test. Start with easier problems and gradually work your way up to more complex ones.
• Learn algorithms: Understanding different algorithms and data structures is like adding new tools to your programming toolkit. They help you solve problems more efficiently and elegantly.
• Pair program: Two heads are better than one. Collaborate with fellow coders to tackle problems together. You’ll learn new approaches and perspectives while improving your communication skills .
• Review and refactor: Look back at your old code. Can you make it more efficient? Cleaner? This process will sharpen your skills over time and help you develop a keen eye for quality code.

Engineering Problem Solving Skills

For those wondering how to improve problem solving skills in engineering , here are some targeted strategies:

• Think analytically: Break down complex engineering problems into smaller, solvable components. This approach helps you tackle even the most daunting projects step by step.
• Use simulations: Leverage software tools to model and test your solutions before implementation. This can save time, resources, and prevent costly mistakes.
• Stay updated: Engineering practices evolve rapidly. Keep learning to stay ahead of the curve. Attend workshops, read journals, and engage with the engineering community.
• Cross-disciplinary approach: Don’t limit yourself to one field. Often, the best engineering solutions come from combining knowledge from different areas. Biology might inspire a mechanical design, or psychology could inform a user interface.

Tips to Improve General Problem-Solving Skills

Wondering how to improve solving problem skills in general? Here are some universal tips that apply across all fields:

• Identify and define the problem clearly: Start by pinpointing the exact issue at hand. Ask yourself, “What’s the real problem here?” Often, what seems to be the problem is just a symptom of a deeper issue. Take time to articulate the problem in clear, specific terms. This clarity will guide your entire problem-solving process.
• Gather all relevant information and data: Before jumping to solutions, collect as much pertinent information as possible. This might involve research, asking questions, or analysing data. The more informed you are, the better equipped you’ll be to find an effective solution.
• Brainstorm multiple solutions without judgment: Let your creativity flow freely. Generate as many potential solutions as you can, no matter how outlandish they might seem at first. This divergent thinking can lead to innovative approaches you might not have considered otherwise.
• Evaluate and compare potential solutions: Once you have a list of possible solutions, critically assess each one. Consider factors such as feasibility, resources required, potential outcomes, and possible obstacles. This analytical approach helps you narrow down your options to the most promising ones.
• Break the problem down into smaller, manageable steps: Large, complex problems can be overwhelming. By breaking them down into smaller components, you make them more approachable and easier to tackle. This method also helps you identify specific areas that might need more attention or resources.
• Develop a step-by-step action plan: Once you’ve chosen a solution, create a detailed plan for implementation. Outline the specific steps you’ll take, set deadlines, and allocate resources. This roadmap will keep you focused and organised throughout the problem-solving process.
• Implement the chosen solution with confidence: With your plan in place, it’s time to take action. Move forward decisively, trusting in the thought process that led you to this solution. Remember, even if things don’t go perfectly, you can always adjust your approach.
• Monitor progress and make adjustments as needed: Regularly assess how well your solution is working. Be prepared to make tweaks or even significant changes if you encounter unexpected challenges. Flexibility is key in effective problem-solving.
• Reflect on the outcome to learn from the experience: Once you’ve resolved the problem, take time to review the entire process. What worked well? What could have been done differently? This reflection helps you refine your problem-solving skills for future challenges.
• Practice problem-solving regularly to build skills and confidence: Like any skill, problem-solving improves with practice. Seek out opportunities to solve problems in your daily life, work, or even through pussles and brain teasers. The more you practice, the more natural and effective your problem-solving abilities will become.

Specific Techniques for Enhancing Problem Solving Skills

Let’s dive deeper into how to improve analytical and problem solving skills, how to improve complex problem solving skills, and more.

Analytical and Logical Reasoning

To learn how to improve logical reasoning and problem solving skills, and boost your analytical prowess, follow the tips below:

• Play strategy games: Chess, Sudoku, and similar games can sharpen your analytical skills. They force you to think several steps ahead and consider multiple possibilities.
• Practice logical pussles: Engage in logic problems regularly to strengthen your reasoning abilities. Crosswords, riddles, and brain teasers are great for this.
• Study mathematics: Math is the language of logic. Improving your math skills will naturally enhance your analytical thinking. Even if you’re not a “math person,” basic mathematical concepts can significantly boost your problem-solving abilities.

Creative Problem Solving

Wondering how to improve creative problem solving skills? Try these techniques:

• Brainstorm without limits: Let your imagination run wild. The crasiest ideas often lead to innovative solutions. Use techniques like mind mapping or free writing to get your creative juices flowing.
• Use mind mapping: Visualise problems and potential solutions to spark creativity. This technique helps you see connections you might have missed otherwise.
• Take breaks: Sometimes, stepping away from a problem allows your subconscious to work its magic. Ever noticed how great ideas often come to you in the shower or while taking a walk? That’s your subconscious at work.

Critical Thinking and Decision Making

For those pondering how to improve critical thinking and problem solving skills or how to improve decision making and problem solving skills, consider these strategies:

• Question assumptions: Don’t take things at face value. Always ask “why?” Challenging assumptions can lead to breakthrough solutions.
• Consider multiple perspectives: Look at problems from different angles to develop a well-rounded view. Try to put yourself in others’ shoes to gain new insights.
• Use decision-making frameworks: Tools like SWOT analysis, decision matrices, or the Eisenhower Box can help structure your thinking and lead to better decisions.

Enhancing Problem Solving Skills for Specific Exams

Preparing for exams requires a targeted approach. Here’s how to fine-tune your skills for specific tests:

If you’re wondering how to improve problem solving skills for JEE, try these tips:

• Understand the syllabus: Know what topics are covered and focus your efforts accordingly. This will help you prioritise your study time effectively.
• Practice time management: JEE is as much about speed as it is about accuracy. Learn to pace yourself and know when to move on from a difficult question.
• Join study groups: Collaborative learning can expose you to different problem-solving approaches. Explaining concepts to others can also reinforce your own understanding.

For those wondering how to improve problem solving skills in physics:

• Master the fundamentals: A strong grasp of basic principles will help you tackle complex problems. Make sure you have a solid foundation before moving on to advanced topics.
• Use mnemonics: Create memory aids to recall important formulas and concepts quickly. This can be a lifesaver during exams when time is of the essence.
• Solve problems daily: Consistent practice is key to improving your physics problem-solving skills. Set aside time each day to work on physics problems, gradually increasing the difficulty level.

Mastering Problem-Solving Skills: A Lifelong Journey

Mastering how to improve problem solving skills is a lifelong journey. It’s not just about acing exams or excelling at work – it’s about equipping yourself with the tools to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and creativity.

Remember, every problem you face is an opportunity to grow. Whether you’re debugging stubborn code, tackling a tough engineering problem, or just figuring out your daily schedule, each challenge helps you build your problem-solving muscles.

So, keep practicing, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. After all, some of the world’s greatest discoveries came from problem-solving gone “wrong.” Who knows? Your next “failed” solution might just lead to an incredible breakthrough that changes the world.

As you continue on your journey to become a master problem solver, remember that the skills you’re developing are invaluable in every aspect of life. They’ll help you in your career, in your personal relationships, and in achieving your goals. So keep pushing yourself, keep learning, and never stop asking “How can I solve this?”

Frequently Added Questions (FAQs)

What are the key techniques to improve problem-solving skills.

The core techniques include breaking down problems into manageable parts, brainstorming a wide range of solutions, carefully evaluating options, implementing the best solution, reviewing the outcomes, and iterating based on what you’ve learned. Regular practice and exposure to diverse problems also play a crucial role.

How can I enhance my problem-solving skills in programming?

To improve your programming problem-solving skills, practice coding regularly, tackle coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank, learn and apply various algorithms and data structures, engage in pair programming, and regularly review and refactor your code. Additionally, working on personal projects can provide real-world problem-solving experience.

What role do problem-solving skills play in the workplace?

Problem-solving skills are crucial in the workplace for handling daily tasks, managing projects, resolving conflicts, and driving innovation. They help employees navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and contribute to the overall success of the organisation. Strong problem-solving skills can also lead to career advancement opportunities.

How can I improve my analytical and logical reasoning abilities?

To boost analytical and logical reasoning skills, engage in activities like solving pussles (e.g., Sudoku, crosswords), playing strategy games (e.g., chess), practicing logical reasoning problems, and studying mathematics. Reading books on logic and critical thinking can also be beneficial. Regular practice and challenging yourself with increasingly difficult problems is key.

What are some ways to boost creative problem-solving skills?

To enhance creative problem-solving, engage in open-ended brainstorming sessions, use mind mapping techniques to visualise problems and solutions, practice lateral thinking exercises, and allow time for ideas to incubate. Exposing yourself to diverse experiences and perspectives can also stimulate creativity. Remember, sometimes the most innovative solutions come from combining ideas from different fields.

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A modified grey wolf optimizer for wind farm layout optimization problem

• Original Article
• Published: 17 August 2024

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• Shitu Singh 1 &
• Jagdish Chand Bansal   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3352-6597 1  

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The optimal solution to the wind farm layout optimization problem helps in maximizing the total energy output from the given wind farm. Meta-heuristic algorithms are one of the famous methods for achieving this objective. In this paper, we focus on developing an efficient meta-heuristic based on the grey wolf optimizer for solving the wind farm layout optimization problem. The proposed algorithm is called enhanced chaotic grey wolf optimizer and it is introduced after validating it on a well-known benchmark set of 23 numerical optimization problems. By confirming its efficiency through these benchmarks, it is utilized for wind farm layout optimization. The proposed algorithm is comprised of four search strategies including a modified GWO search mechanism, modified control parameter, chaotic search, and adaptive re-initialization of poor solutions during the search. Two case studies of the wind farm layout optimization problem are considered for numerical experiments. Results are analyzed and compared with other state-of-the-art algorithms. The comparison indicates the efficiency of the proposed algorithm for solving numerical and wind farm layout optimization problems.

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This research work was supported by Institutional funds from the South Asian University, New Delhi.

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Shitu Singh & Jagdish Chand Bansal

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Singh, S., Bansal, J.C. A modified grey wolf optimizer for wind farm layout optimization problem. Int J Syst Assur Eng Manag (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13198-024-02462-0

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Received : 21 February 2023

Revised : 25 July 2024

Accepted : 29 July 2024

Published : 17 August 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s13198-024-02462-0

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