ABSTRACT
Problem-solving is life’s crucial process. Though this fact is generally acknowledged to be true, most suggestions for steps in problem-solving leave out the examining of causes. Words like analysis, understanding the problem, and mess finding are presented to students as steps toward a solution. None of these prompts tell students precisely how their minds should work to proceed. Another flaw in many problem-solving paths is that the way to define a problem is stated simply as “define the problem.” What a defined problem looks like is not made clear. These two steps and others are easily clarified by using precise language. The process in several steps can be flow charted out in the following way:
State the problem cleanly without any reference to causes.
State the effects of the problem. Is the problem worth solving?
List all the possible causes of the problem. Are there hidden causes?
Decide which cause[s] are the most important or weighted.
Choose some of the causes to mitigate or eradicate.
Design a solution that is directly related to the key causes.
8Think through the possible positive and negative effects of this solution.
Redesign the solution if necessary.
Try the solution and note the positive or negative effects.
If necessary, rethink the entire process.
If it worked, ask what can be learned by the success.
Throughout the process ask what other situation or problem is similar.
See sample flowcharts in Appendix Figures A.2–A.5.