4 Stages Of Problem Solving

A mental process or a phenomenon dedicated towards solving problems past discovering and analyzing the problem is referred to as problem-solving. Information technology is a procedure dedicated to finding not just whatever solution, but the best solution to resolve any problems. There is no such affair as i best way to solve every kind of problem, since there are unique problems depending upon the situation there are unique solutions too.

Steps involved in problem solving

In psychology, problem solving doesn't necessarily refer to solving psychological/mental problems of the brain. The process simply refers to solving every kind of bug in life in a proper manner. The idea of including the subject in psychology is because psychology deals with the overall mental process. And, tactfully using our thought process is what leads to the solution of any problems.

There are number of rigid psychological steps involved in problem solving, which is too referred every bit problem-solving cycle. The steps are in sequential order, and solving any trouble requires post-obit them one after another. But, we tend to avoid post-obit this rigid set of steps, which is why information technology frequently requires us to go through the same steps over and over again until a satisfactory solution is reached.

Hither are the steps involved in problem solving, approved by expert psychologists.

1. Identifying the Problem

Identifying the trouble seems like the obvious first stem, but it'due south not exactly as unproblematic as information technology sounds. People might identify the wrong source of a problem, which will render the steps thus carried on useless.

For instance, let's say you're having problem with your studies. identifying the root of your failure is your start priority. The problem hither could be that y'all haven't been allocating enough time for your studies, or you oasis't tried the right techniques. But, if you make an assumption that the problem hither is the subject being besides hard, you won't exist able to solve the problem.

2. Defining/Understanding the Problem

Defining the problem

It's vital to properly define the problem once information technology's been identified. Only past defining the problem, further steps tin be taken to solve it. While at it, you also demand to take into consideration different perspectives to understand whatever problem; this will also help you look for solutions with different perspectives.

Now, post-obit upwards with the previous example. Let'due south say yous accept identified the problem as non being able to allocate plenty time for your studies. Y'all demand to sort out the reason behind information technology. Accept you lot but been procrastinating? Have yous been too decorated with work? You demand to empathize the whole problem and reasons behind it, which is the 2d stride in trouble solving.

3. Forming a Strategy

Developing a strategy is the next pace to finding a solution. Each different situation will require formulating different strategies, also depending on individual'due south unique preferences.

Now, you have identified and studied your problem. You lot tin't just merely leap into trying to solve it. You lot tin can't simply quit piece of work and start studying. You lot need to draw upwards a strategy to manage your fourth dimension properly. Allocate less time for not-so-of import works, and add together them to your study time. Your strategy should be well thought, so that in theory at least, y'all are able to manage enough time to report properly and non fail in the exams.

4. Organizing Data

Organizing information when solving a problem

Organizing the available information is another crucial stride to the process. You demand to consider

What practice you know near the trouble?
What do y'all not know near the problem?

Accuracy of the solution for your problem will depend on the amount of data bachelor.

The hypothetical strategy you formulate isn't the all of information technology either. You demand to now contemplate on the information bachelor on the subject matter. Employ the same questions to find out more about the problem. Proper organisation of the information will force y'all to revise your strategy and refine it for best results.

v. Allocating Resource

Fourth dimension, money and other resource aren't unlimited. Deciding how loftier the priority is to solve your problem will assistance y'all determine the resources you'll be using in your course to find the solution. If the problem is of import, you can allocate more resources to solving information technology. However, if the problem isn't every bit of import, it's not worth the time and money you might spend on it if not for proper planning.

For instance, permit'south consider a dissimilar scenario where your business deal is stuck, but information technology's few g miles away. At present, you need to clarify the problem and the resource you can beget to expend to solve the particular problem. If the deal isn't really in your favor, you could but try solving it over the phone, however, more important deals might crave y'all to fly to the location in guild to solve the issue.

6. Monitoring Progress

Monitoring progress of solution of a problem

Yous demand to document your progress as you are finding a solution. Don't rely on your memory, no matter how skillful your retentiveness is. Effective problem-solvers have been known to monitor their progress regularly. And, if they're non making as much progress as they're supposed to, they will reevaluate their approach or look for new strategies.

Problem solving isn't an overnight feat. You lot tin can't merely have a body like that of Brad Pitt after a unmarried session in the gym. Information technology takes fourth dimension and patience. Besides, you need to piece of work towards solving any trouble every day until y'all finally attain the results. Looking back at the previous case, if everything'due south co-ordinate to plan, you will be allocating more and more time for your studies until finally you are confident that you're improving. One way to brand sure that you're on a right path to solving a problem is by keeping track of the progress. To solve the problem illustrated in the first example, yous tin can take self-tests every week or ii and track your progress.

7. Evaluating the Results

Your job still isn't done even if you've reached a solution. Yous need to evaluate the solution to discover out if it's the best possible solution to the problem. The evaluation might be immediate or might accept a while. For instance, reply to a math problem can be checked then and in that location, nonetheless solution to your yearly tax issue might non exist possible to be evaluated correct there.

Takeaways

Take time to identify the possible sources of the problem. It's better to spend a substantial corporeality of fourth dimension on something correct, than on something completely contrary.
Inquire yourself questions like What, Why, How to figure out the causes of the problem. Only then tin you move forwards on solving information technology.
Carefully outline the methods to tackle the trouble. There might exist unlike solutions to a problem, tape them all.
Gather all information nearly the trouble and the approaches. More than, the merrier.
From the outlined methods, choose the ones that are feasible to approach. Effort discarding the ones that have unseen consequences.
Track your progress equally you go.
Evaluate the outcome of the progress.