A New Problem Solving Method

A New Problem Solving Method Thomas Teepe

February 19, 2011

What is my aim?

I present my favourite hands-on method of problem solving(… and of thinking in general)

What are the basic ideas?

It's a combination of 2 things:1.notemaking

- using several clever tricks2.tools

for problem solving… with an emphasis on reflective thinking!

This combination works for me much better than each of its 2 components on their own.

'Reflective ' sounded academic and boring.I thought again ;-) - reflection is central for solving tough problems.

First:Notemaking

Second:Problem Solving Tools

Why Notemaking?● support concentration● master complex thoughts

● break down a problem into smaller parts

● collect ideas first and examine them afterwards

● combine verbal and visual thinking● see ideas from a distance● document thoughts

● can be adapted in many ways

Some famous notemakers:

Leonardo da Vinci

Isaac Newton

Charles Darwin

Ludwig van Beethoven

Thomas Edison

Pablo Picasso

Carl Friedrich Gauss

Oscar Wilde

Alfred Hitchcock

Basics of the notemaking process 1

We use a two-column layout1.left column for the main material2.right column for

- reflection, - comments, - questions- etc.

For me, the 'reflection column' is simple & effective support to guide my thoughts

Basics ofthe notemaking process 2

I use several elements in combination● keywords● hierarchical arrangement of ideas● combining words and images● colours (sometimes)● tables● diagrams

Some basic ideas come from mind mapping

I find tables very powerful - yet somewhat underrated and underused in mind mapping

Some remarks on writing materials

Goal:● get lots of content on one page● … and stay legible

This works well for me:● mechanical pencil 0,3 mm HB● a bound notebook

blank pages, size A5● small handwriting

Surprisingly relevant.

Imho, superior to 0,5 mm

even tiny

Here is astep-by-step example.

MainColumn

start withthe separationline

ReflectionColumn

addheadline

arrange ideasin hierarchies

add diagrams

add tables

add to do itemsadd checkmarks later

add reflections

Second:Problem Solving Tools

First wasNotemaking

What is a problem solving tool?● everything that may help

to solve a problem

Examples● brainstorm● ask yourself questions● ask a colleague● search the internet● sleep over it● reflect:

● improve your ideas● understand how you think

naive but useful defintion

How to organize problem solving tools?● Step 1:

Split the problem solving process into stages

● Step 2:For each stage, collect a number of useful tools

● Plus:Reflection tools that help at each stage

Stages of problem solving- a simple model:

● understand the problem● define reasonable goals● develop plans for the goals● choose a plan● carry out the plan● reflect reflection is useful

1) in each of the other stages2) for a final look back

Here comesa small collection of toolsfor each stage

Understand the problem● start with a top-down analysis● ask questions● collect information about the

problem● internet search● literature● interview people

● draw a diagram

Define reasonable goals● What is the right thing to do?● What would XY do?● state goals clearly● describe SMART goals

● S - specific● M - measurable● A - attainable● R - relevant● T - time bound

XY is a person I take as a role model in the given problem situation.

Develop plans for these goals● start with the goal

and develop a plan backwards● develop a plan top-down:

start with a general plan and make it more specific

● ask repeatedly 'How can this be achieved?'

● exploit solutions from similar or analogue problems

● brainstorm for unusual ideas

Choose a plan● check the plans for obstacles,

gaps...● compare plans pairwise● list the pros and cons● trust your gut feeling

Reflection● So what?

What now?● collect shortcomings and criticism● collect obstacles and barriers● collect conflicts● examine results

In my experience, these simple questions are surprisingly powerful.

I often use only two simple sets of tools1.one for the main column:

PrAnGoPlExCo stands forProblem DescriptionAnalysisGoalsPlansExecute planControl

2.one for the reflection column:QOCS stands forQuestionsObstaclesConflictsSo what?!

I write these acronyms on top of the columns – each time a useful reminder of good problem solving practices.

Constantly adapting these tools to my personal needs is paramount.

How to combine notemaking and problem solving tools?

Here is an example.

Start with- separation line- tool acronym PrAnGoPlExCo- tool acronym QOCS

add headline

start with tool 'Pr' = Problem Description

use reflection tools

use further toolsfrom PrAnGoPlExCo

AdvantagesFor me, the method is...● effective:

notemaking + tools guide my thinking through problems

● efficient:no needless fuss - simple, quick, cheap and easily available

● flexible:can be adapted to all sorts of problems, domains, uses...

For a computerized version, I use the fabulous notebook software OneNote.

Sources● Tony and Barry Buzan:

The Mind Map Book● David N. Perkins:

Outsmarting IQ● John Bransford / Barry Stein:

The IDEAL Problem Solver