Problem Solving

• Goals
  • Describe problems.
  • Describe problem solving.
  • Excel at solving problems.

Problem (What)

A problem is a gap between the conditions as they exist right now (the present state) and desirable future conditions (the goal state).

Problem Solving (What)

Problem solving is the process of

1. Identifying a gap between current conditions (the present state) and desired future conditions (the goal state).

2. Figuring out how to close this gap.

3. Taking actions that close the gap. That is, reaching the desired future state.

Examples of Problem Solving

1. Car Problem
   1. Present State: A car is broken down; cannot drive it.
      
   2. Goal State: The car is running well.
      
   3. Problem Solving: Figuring out how to get the car fixed and then taking the actions such that the car is working properly.
2. Stress
   1. Present State: A person is often stressed out; they feel awful on average.
   2. Goal State: Low or negligible levels of unhealthy stress. Optimal levels of healthy stress.
      
   3. Problem Solving: Figuring out how to reduce unhealthy stress and how to enhance healthy stress and then taking the actions such that the goal state is reached.
3. Struggling Company
   1. Present State: Financial troubles, disgruntled employees.
      
   2. Goal State: Financial well-being + employees who love their jobs and the company culture.
      
   3. Problem Solving: Figuring out how to grow culture plus financial well-being, implementing this plan, and creating this better future.
4. Learning Statistics
   1. Present State: Have to learn this subject. Dislike it; seems very confusing and abstract.
      
   2. Goal State: Love statistics. Can skillfully apply it to design experiments, summarize datasets, assess probability, make data-based decisions, understand scientific papers, and so on.
      
   3. Problem Solving: Figuring out how to effectively learn statistics and then taking the actions needed to attain excellence.

Rationale for Problem Solving

Here are some reasons why learning how to solve problems effectively matters.

1. Satisfaction. Confidence. Lack of frustration. Ease. Peace of mind.

2. Get the best results with the fewest drawbacks and most rewards.

3. Be like a magician; make problems that most people think are impossible to solve go away. Do amazing things with your life.

4. Build a better future for yourself and your group. Build a better world.

5. Professional competence in many fields requires skill in problem solving.

6. It is super fun; you will not be bored.

7. Problem solving is the way to set and reach goals. Also, the way to complete projects on time with a high level of quality.

Concerns.

1. Effective problem solving requires knowledge. One must be skilled at acquiring this knowledge (learning) or at recognizing one’s lack of knowledge and solving the problem by hiring an expert.

2. Taking on hard problems can cause high levels of stress. Thus, one must learn how to mitigate this.

3. Effective problem solving requires skills with critical thinking, learning, collaboration, communication, and so forth. One cannot learn how to solve problems without learning these subjects.

Effective Problem Solving (How To)

Principles

1. Solve the problems that provide the highest payoffs (rewards minus drawbacks taken holistically).

2. Some problems cannot be solved because they are physically impossible. One cannot create a flying carpet.

3. Most problems can be solved. However, some are not worth solving because the payoffs don’t merit the solution.

4. It is OK to let a problem go and stop working on it. Sometimes the dragon wins.

5. While a skilled problem solver can solve nearly any problem, they cannot solve every problem because of the time and effort needed. Thus, they must be highly selective of which problems to take on.

Framework

Here is a [[Frameworks|framework]] for EPS (Effective Problem Solving).

6. Key Problem: Identify the problem that is the most worthwhile to solve in the present.

7. Goal State: Envision the desired goal state so that it is clear (measurable) and super motivating for the problem solver.

8. Systematic Repetitions: While the gap between the present state and the goal state remains of concern, repeat the following actions.

   1. Analysis: Break the goal state down into right-sized subgoals.
      • Note: All you need to do is to figure out the next most useful subgoal.
   2. Inner Repetitions: Progressively reach the current subgoals by articulating the associated goal state, coming up with killer ideas for getting there, figuring out how to apply these ideas, and then applying these ideas in an effective way.

9. Reflective Thinking: On an ongoing basis, think back on your experience and figure out useful things such as:

   1. How to improve your process for problem-solving.
   2. Best “next steps” for reaching the goal state.

Tips

• Seek high positive payoffs from your problem solving

  • Positive pays means that the rewards >> drawbacks
  • This makes problem solving cost effective (worthwhile)

• Let your process reveal the solution to you. Use the process and eventually a solution will come. This feels like magic.

• You can solve a problem yourself or engage others to solve it for you. Here is a way to figure out which makes the most sense.

  • If you have the expertise and the resources and the motivation, solve it yourself.
  • If you lack expertise, resources, or motivation, it often makes the most sense to engage others, typically by paying them.
  • Sometimes, the problem is too novel or hard for hiring others, and in this case, you can take it on or let it go.

• With EPS, you can solve any problem you want to solve, but you cannot solve every problem.

  • Problem solving can take huge amounts of resources: cost, time-on-task, effort, and so on.
    • With EPS, one is highly selective on which problems to solve.

Summary

A problem is a gap between the present state (conditions right now) and the goal state (conditions that are desired in the future).

Problem solving is the process of closing the gap; that is, making a desired future a reality.

Effective problem solving involves selecting the most worthwhile problem to solve, figuring out the goal state, breaking this down into right-sized subgoals, and then progressively attaining subgoals by using a systematic process that involves finding the best ideas and applying these.