Problem Solving

3. Problem Solvingand Decision Making

4. Five Steps of Team-Based Project Planning Project overview Work breakdown structure Activity assignments Action on the plan Closeout report Five Steps of Team-Based Project Planning On Day Two, you (the participants) were introduced to the five steps of team-based project planning. Five Steps of Team-Based Project Planning Project overview Work breakdown structure Activity assignments Action on the plan Closeout report That�s a very effective strategy when the goal is clear. For example, you�re given a task such as building a rocket. By following the five steps of team-based project planning, team members can focus their time and energy to reach the goal in the most direct manner. Vision and mission come into play to help us define goals that have value, and can lead us to them even if the process is very long. On the other hand, teams and individuals are often presented with more immediate problems to solve: Problems that arise within the context of a larger project. (What sort of fins should a patrol rocket have? How will we transport our patrol project to the presentation site?) Problems that arise independent of projects. (How shall we set up our camp so that it follows the principles of Leave No Trace? What will we do about a sudden first-aid emergency?) The stages of effective planning can be used for problem solving, although they may be too heavy an instrument for many problems. You don�t need a sledgehammer if a flyswatter will do the job.Five Steps of Team-Based Project Planning On Day Two, you (the participants) were introduced to the five steps of team-based project planning. Five Steps of Team-Based Project Planning Project overview Work breakdown structure Activity assignments Action on the plan Closeout report That�s a very effective strategy when the goal is clear. For example, you�re given a task such as building a rocket. By following the five steps of team-based project planning, team members can focus their time and energy to reach the goal in the most direct manner. Vision and mission come into play to help us define goals that have value, and can lead us to them even if the process is very long. On the other hand, teams and individuals are often presented with more immediate problems to solve: Problems that arise within the context of a larger project. (What sort of fins should a patrol rocket have? How will we transport our patrol project to the presentation site?) Problems that arise independent of projects. (How shall we set up our camp so that it follows the principles of Leave No Trace? What will we do about a sudden first-aid emergency?) The stages of effective planning can be used for problem solving, although they may be too heavy an instrument for many problems. You don�t need a sledgehammer if a flyswatter will do the job.

5. Five Steps of Systematic Problem Solving Describe the problem Gather information Determine most important contributors Visualize success Create steps that will lead to success Steps in Problem Solving Consider the following steps to problem solving. Notice that they are similar to the steps of effective planning but are intended to be quicker and more adaptable to immediate challenges rather than long-range goals. Five Steps of Systematic Problem Solving Describe the problem. Gather information. Determine the important factors that contribute to the problem. Visualize what success looks like. Create action steps that will lead to that success. Let�s look at these steps more closely. Describe the problem. Do this as accurately and completely as possible. The better you understand the problem, the more quickly and efficiently you can solve it. Gather information. Consider quantitative information (facts that can be measured) and qualitative information (how people feel about the situation). Determine the most important factors that contribute to the problem. Figure out what is causing the problem. Factors may include timing, personnel, the setting, or a combination of all three. Visualize what success looks like. Describe how things will be when the problem is solved and everything is working well. Create action steps that will lead to that success. Action steps close the gap between the current situation and your visualization of success.Steps in Problem Solving Consider the following steps to problem solving. Notice that they are similar to the steps of effective planning but are intended to be quicker and more adaptable to immediate challenges rather than long-range goals. Five Steps of Systematic Problem Solving Describe the problem. Gather information. Determine the important factors that contribute to the problem. Visualize what success looks like. Create action steps that will lead to that success. Let�s look at these steps more closely. Describe the problem. Do this as accurately and completely as possible. The better you understand the problem, the more quickly and efficiently you can solve it. Gather information. Consider quantitative information (facts that can be measured) and qualitative information (how people feel about the situation). Determine the most important factors that contribute to the problem. Figure out what is causing the problem. Factors may include timing, personnel, the setting, or a combination of all three. Visualize what success looks like. Describe how things will be when the problem is solved and everything is working well. Create action steps that will lead to that success. Action steps close the gap between the current situation and your visualization of success.

6. Problem Solving Project overview Work breakdown schedule Activity assignments Action on the plan Closeout report Describe the problem Gather information Determine the most important contributors Visualize success Create steps that will lead to success Lets Compare: As with the steps of project planning, each step of problem solving demands that decisions be made. Advantages of Systematically Solving Problems The problem-solving process is a time-saver. With an organized approach to a problem, issues can be dealt with in an orderly and timely fashion. As teams become accustomed to using a systematic approach, they can solve problems more quickly and efficiently. A systematic approach increases the odds of success. Lets Compare: As with the steps of project planning, each step of problem solving demands that decisions be made. Advantages of Systematically Solving Problems The problem-solving process is a time-saver. With an organized approach to a problem, issues can be dealt with in an orderly and timely fashion. As teams become accustomed to using a systematic approach, they can solve problems more quickly and efficiently. A systematic approach increases the odds of success.

7. Decision Making Tools Brainstorming Consensus Multi-voting Parking lot Making Decisions Whether a team is approaching long-range goals or dealing with immediate problems, there are points at which decisions simply must be made. The nature of the team, its experience together, and the situation it finds itself in can all contribute to the way team members reach decisions. There are many ways that teams can make decisions. Among the many useful decision-making tools are � Brainstorming � Multivoting � Consensus � Parking lotMaking Decisions Whether a team is approaching long-range goals or dealing with immediate problems, there are points at which decisions simply must be made. The nature of the team, its experience together, and the situation it finds itself in can all contribute to the way team members reach decisions. There are many ways that teams can make decisions. Among the many useful decision-making tools are � Brainstorming � Multivoting � Consensus � Parking lot

8. Brainstorming Encourage everyone to participate Think outside the box Piggyback ideas Consider how similar problems have been solved in the past Brainstorming Brainstorming allows for the free flow of ideas. As team members bounce thoughts off one another, the combined result can be greater than any of the individual contributions. Encourage everyone to participate. Their ideas are valuable. Think outside the box; that is, consider solutions beyond the obvious. Encourage this kind of input by agreeing at the outset not to be critical of the ideas of others. Piggyback ideas. One person�s thoughts can build on the ideas of others. Consider how similar problems have been solved in the past, both by the team and by others. There is no need to reinvent the wheel every time.Brainstorming Brainstorming allows for the free flow of ideas. As team members bounce thoughts off one another, the combined result can be greater than any of the individual contributions. Encourage everyone to participate. Their ideas are valuable. Think outside the box; that is, consider solutions beyond the obvious. Encourage this kind of input by agreeing at the outset not to be critical of the ideas of others. Piggyback ideas. One person�s thoughts can build on the ideas of others. Consider how similar problems have been solved in the past, both by the team and by others. There is no need to reinvent the wheel every time.

9. Consensus Atmosphere of trust Everyone agrees to abide by the group Possible solutions are assessed and evaluated� Give the consensus decision a trial run before finalizing it Consensus Consensus occurs when a discussion leads to agreement without resorting to a vote. The team works in an atmosphere of trust and agrees to abide by the group agreement. Possible solutions are assessed and evaluated to see if they fit the vision of what success looks like. If possible, give the consensus decision a trial run before finalizing it. That can reduce anxiety about failure. Consensus Consensus occurs when a discussion leads to agreement without resorting to a vote. The team works in an atmosphere of trust and agrees to abide by the group agreement. Possible solutions are assessed and evaluated to see if they fit the vision of what success looks like. If possible, give the consensus decision a trial run before finalizing it. That can reduce anxiety about failure.

10. Multi-voting Each team member has an equal number of votes If sorting a list, members rank the items on the list Cast out the lowest scoring choice Vote and total the scores Repeat, if necessary Multivoting When presented with many options, multivoting allows team members to cut a list down to a manageable size. Each team member has an equal number of votes. If sorting a list, members rank the items on the list. If reducing it, members cast out the poorest choices. Cast votes and total scores. Repeat, if necessary. Multivoting When presented with many options, multivoting allows team members to cut a list down to a manageable size. Each team member has an equal number of votes. If sorting a list, members rank the items on the list. If reducing it, members cast out the poorest choices. Cast votes and total scores. Repeat, if necessary.

11. Parking lot Acknowledge that an issue is not immediately relevant Write a brief description of the issue Parking Lot This is a process of tabling parts of a discussion that are not directly related to finding a solution to the problem at hand. It permits team members to feel that all of their suggestions are being considered, even if at a future date. It also helps a team hold onto fresh ideas whose time has not yet arrived. Acknowledge that an issue is not immediately relevant. Write a brief description of the issue so that it can be brought up for discussion at a later time. Parking Lot This is a process of tabling parts of a discussion that are not directly related to finding a solution to the problem at hand. It permits team members to feel that all of their suggestions are being considered, even if at a future date. It also helps a team hold onto fresh ideas whose time has not yet arrived. Acknowledge that an issue is not immediately relevant. Write a brief description of the issue so that it can be brought up for discussion at a later time.

12. An Opportunity Group Issues for the Problem Solving Round-Robin Immediately following this troop presentation, patrols will have the opportunity to practice problem-solving strategies at a number of different stations in the problem solving round-robin. While all the participants are still gathered together, do the following: Explain the logistics of the round-robin � how it will work, where each patrol will begin, how much time they will have at each station, etc. Explain the role to be played by the youth participating in the course as Venturing crew representatives. They will facilitate each of the problem-solving stations. They will explain the situation, introduce the problem, and offer a patrol whatever resources and guidance are appropriate. If they see any actions they deem to be unsafe, they have the authority to correct the situation or to halt the activity. Discuss any safety issues that will be factors during the problem-solving activities. These may include the use of Wood Badge staff members as spotters during certain activities, and offering alternative activities for participants who have physical limitations. Group Issues for the Problem Solving Round-Robin Immediately following this troop presentation, patrols will have the opportunity to practice problem-solving strategies at a number of different stations in the problem solving round-robin. While all the participants are still gathered together, do the following: Explain the logistics of the round-robin � how it will work, where each patrol will begin, how much time they will have at each station, etc. Explain the role to be played by the youth participating in the course as Venturing crew representatives. They will facilitate each of the problem-solving stations. They will explain the situation, introduce the problem, and offer a patrol whatever resources and guidance are appropriate. If they see any actions they deem to be unsafe, they have the authority to correct the situation or to halt the activity. Discuss any safety issues that will be factors during the problem-solving activities. These may include the use of Wood Badge staff members as spotters during certain activities, and offering alternative activities for participants who have physical limitations.