Generating Solutions

Paul MorrisCIS144

“Nothing to more dangerous than an idea, when it is the only one you have.”

- Emile Chartier

Concepts

Concept A mental grouping of persons, ideas,

events, or objects that share common properties

Concepts A Semantic Network

Concept formation Concepts are fuzzy

cup bowl

Concept formation Concepts are fuzzy

Concept formation The most representative of a

concept is a prototype. A German shepherd is more doggy

than a Chihuahua

A 20-year-old is more studenty than a 65-year-old

Solving Problems Representing the Problem

Image A mental representation of visual

information Mental Models

Intuitive theories about the way things work

Solving ProblemsStrategies

Trial and error (rule out one by one)

Algorithms (a set procedure) Heuristic (a general rule of thumb) Insight (sudden realization)

A man walks into a bar and asks for a glass of water.The barman pulls a shotgun from behind the counter and points it at the man.The man says “Thank you” and walks out.

Common Causes to Mental Blocks

Defining the problem too narrowly. Attacking the symptoms and not the real

problem Assuming there is only one right answer Getting “hooked” on the first solution that

comes to mind. Getting “hooked” on a solution that almost

works (but really doesn’t). Being distracted by irrelevant information,

called “mental dazzle.” Getting frustrated by lack of success. Being too anxious to finish Defining the problem ambiguously.

Solving Problems Representing the Problem

Mental-Rotation Tasks

Imagine a Capital letter T. Rotate it 90 degrees to the right. Put a triangle to the left of the figure, pointing to the

right. Rotate the figure 90 degrees to the right. Which of these figures is the correct one?

Generating Solutions The Cheap-Necklace Problem

Make a necklace for 15¢ or less. It costs 2¢ to open a link; 3¢ to close a

link.

Generating Solutions The Nine-Dot Problem

Connect all 9 dots. Use only 4 lines. Do not lift your

pencil from the page after you begin drawing.

Solution to the Cheap-Necklace Problem

Using all four chains is not necessary to solve the problem. Solving this problem may require an incubation period followed by insight into the solution.

Solution to the Nine-Dot Problem

People do not realize that they their lines can be drawn outside the box.

Failure to solve this problem is often due to representation failure.

Obstacles to Problem-Solving• Functional Fixedness (Stereotyping)

• The tendency to think of objects in one way rather than in alternative ways.

Problem-SolvingBlind spots

Emotional Interference These decrease the amount of freedom

with which you explore and manipulate ideas.• Fear of risk taking• Lack of appetite for chaos• Judging rather than generating ideas• Lack of challenge• Inability to incubate

Problem-SolvingBlind spots

Cultural Patterns Imposed by our immediate social and

physical environment. Failure to consider an act that causes

displeasure or disgust to certain members of society.

Problem- Free the Ping Pong BallTwo pipes, which serve as pole mounts for

volleyball net, are embedded in the floor of a gymnasium. During a friendly game of ping pong, the ball accidentally rolls into one of the pipes because the cover was not replaced. The inside diameter of the pipe is 0.06” larger than the ball. From the people there, you have: a 15’ extension cord, a carpenter’s hammer, a chisel, a bag of potato chips, a file, a wire coat hanger, a monkey wrench, and a flash light.

Free the Ping Pong ball without leaving the gym, or damaging the ball, pipe, or floor.

PPT for Next Week

Create a Powerpoint on Gorman’s Blockbuster.

and

Raudelsepp’s Way to Increase Your Creativity

Comments that reduce Brainstorming to Braindrizzling

That won’t work That’s too radical It’ not my job We don’t have enough time That’s too much hassle It’s against our policy We haven’t done it that way before. That’s too expensive That’s not practical We can’t solve this problem

Problem Statement How could the rules of basketball be

changed so that players under 5’9” tall might be more competitive?

A very large (500,000 sq. ft.) sludge pond is part of a waste treatment plant. The liquid in the pond is very thick and sticky. From time to time, unwanted floating object (dead animal, branched, etc.) appear on the pond and must be removed. Unfortunately, covering the pond is not an option. Devise ways to solve the problem.

Kepner-Tregoe ApproachSituation AnalysisSituation Analysis

(Where are we?)

Situation AnalysisSituation Analysis(Where are we?)

ProblemProblem

AnalysisAnalysisPast

What is the fault?

ProblemProblem

AnalysisAnalysisPast

What is the fault?

DecisionDecision

AnalysisAnalysisPresent

How to correct the fault?

DecisionDecision

AnalysisAnalysisPresent

How to correct the fault?

Potential Potential

ProblemProblem

AnalysisAnalysisFuture

How to prevent future faults?

Potential Potential

ProblemProblem

AnalysisAnalysisFuture

How to prevent future faults?

Evaluation Criteria

Timing How urgent is the problem? Is a deadline involved?

Trend What is the problem’s potential for growth?

Impact How serious is the problem? What are the effects on the people, the

product, the organization, and its policies?