ABSTRACT
Solving problems is very similar to a forensics expert trying to solve a crime. One of the first steps taken by crime scene investigators is to seal off the crime scene and begin collecting evidence that might be used to solve the crime later. When we attempt to solve a problem, we are, in effect, crime scene investigators. We look at the symptoms of the problem, and then try to logically tie what we find to some reasonable explanation of the causal chain of events. We use our senses of sight, touch, hearing, and smell (and sometimes taste), then record what our senses tell us. Recording what our senses are conveying to us can give us valuable information as we move through our problem-solving process. The team had learned a valuable lesson regarding the importance of making decision based upon data, rather than feelings and experience.
