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Problem Solving Strategies

The document discusses several problem-solving strategies: 1) Trial and error involves trying different solutions until finding one that works; 2) Heuristics are approximate problem-solving frameworks that may not be optimal but are faster than other methods; 3) Gut instincts involve relying on feelings to find solutions through "aha moments"; 4) Working backward starts with the desired solution and thinks backward to determine how to reach it; 5) Means-end analysis defines the current and desired situations and finds solutions to obstacles between them.

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Thushara A
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139 views8 pages

Problem Solving Strategies

The document discusses several problem-solving strategies: 1) Trial and error involves trying different solutions until finding one that works; 2) Heuristics are approximate problem-solving frameworks that may not be optimal but are faster than other methods; 3) Gut instincts involve relying on feelings to find solutions through "aha moments"; 4) Working backward starts with the desired solution and thinks backward to determine how to reach it; 5) Means-end analysis defines the current and desired situations and finds solutions to obstacles between them.

Uploaded by

Thushara A
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PROBLEM SOLVING

STRATEGIES
In general, effective problem-solving strategies include the following
steps:

1.Define the problem.


2.Come up with alternative solutions.
3.Decide on a solution.
4.Implement the solution.
Trial and error

• One of the most common problem-solving strategies is trial and error.


In other words, you try different solutions until you find one that
works.

• For example, say the problem is that your Wi-Fi isn’t working. You
might try different things until it starts working again, like restarting
your modem or your devices until you find or resolve the problem.
When one solution isn’t successful, you try another until you find
what works.
Heuristics
• Sometimes, it’s more effective to solve a problem based on a formula than to try
different solutions blindly.
• Heuristics are problem-solving strategies or frameworks people use to quickly find an
approximate solution. It may not be the optimal solution, but it’s faster than finding
the perfect resolution, and it’s “good enough.”
• Algorithms or equations are examples of heuristics.
• An algorithm is a step-by-step problem-solving strategy based on a formula
guaranteed to give you positive results. For example, you might use an algorithm to
determine how much food is needed to feed people at a large party.
• However, many life problems have no formulaic solution; for example, you may not
be able to come up with an algorithm to solve the problem of making amends with
your spouse after a fight.
Gut instincts (insight problem-solving)
• While algorithm-based problem-solving is formulaic, 
insight problem-solving is the opposite.
• When we use insight as a problem-solving strategy we depend on our “gut
instincts” or what we know and feel about a situation to come up with a
solution. People might describe insight-based solutions to problems as an
“aha moment.”
• For example, you might face the problem of whether or not to stay in a
relationship. The solution to this problem may come as a sudden insight
that you need to leave. In insight problem-solving, the cognitive processes
that help you solve a problem happen outside your conscious awareness.
Working backward

• Working backward is a problem-solving approach often taught to help


students solve problems in mathematics. However, it’s useful for real-world
problems as well.

• Working backward is when you start with the solution and “work backward”
to figure out how you got to the solution. For example, if you know you
need to be at a party by 8 p.m., you might work backward to problem-solve
when you must leave the house, when you need to start getting ready, and
so on.
Means-end analysis

• Means-end analysis is a problem-solving strategy that, to put it simply, helps you get
from “point A” to “point B” by examining and coming up with solutions to obstacles.
• When using means-end analysis you define the current state or situation (where you are
now) and the intended goal. Then, you come up with solutions to get from where you are
now to where you need to be.
• For example, a student might be faced with the problem of how to 
successfully get through finals season. They haven’t started studying, but their end goal
is to pass all of their finals. Using means-end analysis, the student can examine the
obstacles that stand between their current state and their end goal (passing their finals).
• They could see, for example, that one obstacle is that they get distracted from studying
by their friends. They could devise a solution to this obstacle by putting their phone on
“do not disturb” mode while studying.

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