Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIdentify the ProblemDefine the ProblemForm a StrategyOrganize InformationAllocate ResourcesMonitor ProgressEvaluate the ResultsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Identify the Problem
Define the Problem
Form a Strategy
Organize Information
Allocate Resources
Monitor Progress
Evaluate the Results
Frequently Asked Questions
Close
Problem-solving is a mental process that involves discovering, analyzing, and solving problems. The ultimate goal of problem-solving is to overcome obstacles and find a solution that best resolves the issue.
The best strategy for solving a problem depends largely on the unique situation. In some cases, people are better off learning everything they can about the issue and then using factual knowledge to come up with a solution. In other instances,creativityand insight are the best options.
It is not necessary to follow problem-solving steps sequentially, It is common to skip steps or even go back through steps multiple times until the desired solution is reached.
In order to correctly solve a problem, it is often important to follow a series of steps. Researchers sometimes refer to this as the problem-solving cycle.While this cycle is portrayed sequentially, people rarely follow a rigid series of steps to find a solution.
The following steps include developing strategies and organizing knowledge.
1. Identifying the Problem
While it may seem like an obvious step, identifying the problem is not always as simple as it sounds. In some cases, people might mistakenly identify the wrong source of a problem, which will make attempts to solve it inefficient or even useless.
Some strategies that you might use to figure out the source of a problem include :
2. Defining the Problem
At this point, you should focus on figuring out which aspects of the problems are facts and which are opinions. State the problem clearly and identify the scope of the solution.
3. Forming a Strategy
After the problem has been identified, it is time to start brainstorming potential solutions. This step usually involves generating as many ideas as possible without judging their quality. Once several possibilities have been generated, they can be evaluated and narrowed down.
The next step is to develop a strategy to solve the problem. The approach used will vary depending upon the situation and the individual’s unique preferences. Common problem-solving strategies include heuristics and algorithms.
RecapHeuristics are often best used when time is of the essence, while algorithms are a better choice when a decision needs to be as accurate as possible.
Recap
Heuristics are often best used when time is of the essence, while algorithms are a better choice when a decision needs to be as accurate as possible.
4. Organizing Information
Before coming up with a solution, you need to first organize the available information. What do you know about the problem? What do younotknow? The more information that is available the better prepared you will be to come up with an accurate solution.
When approaching a problem, it is important to make sure that you have all the data you need. Making a decision without adequate information can lead to biased or inaccurate results.
5. Allocating Resources
Of course, we don’t always have unlimited money, time, and other resources to solve a problem. Before you begin to solve a problem, you need to determine how high priority it is.
If it is an important problem, it is probably worth allocating more resources to solving it. If, however, it is a fairly unimportant problem, then you do not want to spend too much of your available resources on coming up with a solution.
At this stage, it is important to consider all of the factors that might affect the problem at hand. This includes looking at the available resources, deadlines that need to be met, and any possible risks involved in each solution. After careful evaluation, a decision can be made about which solution to pursue.
6. Monitoring Progress
After selecting a problem-solving strategy, it is time to put the plan into action and see if it works. This step might involve trying out different solutions to see which one is the most effective.
It is also important to monitor the situation after implementing a solution to ensure that the problem has been solved and that no new problems have arisen as a result of the proposed solution.
Effective problem-solvers tend to monitor their progress as they work towards a solution. If they are not making good progress toward reaching their goal, they will reevaluate their approach or look for newstrategies.
7. Evaluating the Results
After a solution has been reached, it is important to evaluate the results to determine if it is the best possible solution to the problem. This evaluation might be immediate, such as checking the results of a math problem to ensure the answer is correct, or it can be delayed, such as evaluating the success of a therapy program after several months of treatment.
RecapOnce a problem has been solved, it is important to take some time to reflect on the process that was used and evaluate the results. This will help you to improve your problem-solving skills and become more efficient at solving future problems.
Once a problem has been solved, it is important to take some time to reflect on the process that was used and evaluate the results. This will help you to improve your problem-solving skills and become more efficient at solving future problems.
A Word From Verywell
It is important to remember that there are many different problem-solving processes with different steps, and this is just one example. Problem-solving in real-world situations requires a great deal of resourcefulness, flexibility, resilience, and continuous interaction with the environment.
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Problem-Solving Strategies and Obstacles
It’s important to communicate openly and honestly with your partner about what’s going on. Try to see things from their perspective as well as your own. Work together to find a resolution that works for both of you. Be willing to compromise and accept that there may not be a perfect solution.Take breaks if things are getting too heated, and come back to the problem when you feel calm and collected. Don’t try to fix every problem on your own—consider asking a therapist or counselor for help and insight.
It’s important to communicate openly and honestly with your partner about what’s going on. Try to see things from their perspective as well as your own. Work together to find a resolution that works for both of you. Be willing to compromise and accept that there may not be a perfect solution.
Take breaks if things are getting too heated, and come back to the problem when you feel calm and collected. Don’t try to fix every problem on your own—consider asking a therapist or counselor for help and insight.
2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Davidson JE, Sternberg RJ, editors.The Psychology of Problem Solving.Cambridge University Press; 2003. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511615771Sarathy V.Real world problem-solving.Front Hum Neurosci. 2018;12:261. Published 2018 Jun 26. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00261
2 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Davidson JE, Sternberg RJ, editors.The Psychology of Problem Solving.Cambridge University Press; 2003. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511615771Sarathy V.Real world problem-solving.Front Hum Neurosci. 2018;12:261. Published 2018 Jun 26. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00261
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Davidson JE, Sternberg RJ, editors.The Psychology of Problem Solving.Cambridge University Press; 2003. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511615771Sarathy V.Real world problem-solving.Front Hum Neurosci. 2018;12:261. Published 2018 Jun 26. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00261
Davidson JE, Sternberg RJ, editors.The Psychology of Problem Solving.Cambridge University Press; 2003. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511615771
Sarathy V.Real world problem-solving.Front Hum Neurosci. 2018;12:261. Published 2018 Jun 26. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00261
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