From Wikipedia on 11/1/12
Problem-Solving Strategies
* Abstraction: solving the problem in a model of the system before applying it to the real system
* Analogy: using a solution that solves an analogous problem
* Brainstorming: (especially among groups of people) suggesting a large number of solutions or ideas and combining and developing them until an optimum is found
* Divide and conquer: breaking down a large, complex problem into smaller, solvable problems
* Hypothesis testing: assuming a possible explanation to the problem and trying to prove (or, in some contexts, disprove) the assumption
* Lateral thinking: approaching solutions indirectly and creatively
* Means-ends analysis: choosing an action at each step to move closer to the goal
* Method of focal objects: synthesizing seemingly non-matching characteristics of different objects into something new
* Morphological analysis: assessing the output and interactions of an entire system
* Proof: try to prove that the problem cannot be solved. The point where the proof fails will be the starting point for solving it
* Reduction: transforming the problem into another problem for which solutions exist
* Research: employing existing ideas or adapting existing solutions to similar problems
* Root cause analysis: identifying the cause of a problem
* Trial-and-error: testing possible solutions until the right one is found
My Own Writing
Problem Solving Methods
State the problem as clearly as you can, then let your unconscious work on it.
1. State the problem clearly.
2. Create task notes for solution steps (ignoring sequence).
3. Sequence the solution steps.
4. Execute each solution step.
Pose problems as questions to yourself.
Look for patterns. Are there any times when the problem does not occur?
Create an ultra-simplified version of the problem and try to solve that.
Theory
For a problem whose solution is a process, it means you must continually apply that process to keep it solved.
Be careful how you frame a problem, as that will limit the range of potential solutions.
The first step to solving a problem is believing it can be solved.
It’s very difficult to solve a problem without creating a new problem because what you’re really doing is disturbing a system.
Attempts to solve a problem don’t always solve it, but they almost always provide more information about the nature of the problem.
If a problem has multiple causes, you must resolve all of them in order to completely solve it.
The easiest type of problem to solve is one that has a single, clear cause.
Problem solving isn’t just a search for the best solution, it’s understanding the problem well enough that the best solution becomes obvious.
The more problems you solve, the harder they get because the easy ones have already been solved.
Paradoxically, the better you get at problem-solving, the more difficult your problems will be, because you will have already solved all the easy ones.
The word “problem” has a different connotation than “project.” A project can be done any old time. It’s an improvement on the current situation. But a problem connotes a puzzle, and an obstacle to your happiness. It has an element of a challenge to it–a challenge to your creativity to solve it.
Though many problems inspire projects, they’re not the same thing. For example, buying a new digital camera is a project. Deciding which one to buy from the hundreds of options is a problem.
Problems can be solved, but only with effort.
Some problems cannot be solved within the context of the system in which the problem occurred.
Problem categories:
– Search and discovery
– Option selection