Carl Patterson - Critical Thinking And Problem Solving: Advanced Strategies and Reasoning Skills to Increase Your Decision Making. A Systematic Approach to Master Logic, Avoid Mistakes and Be a Creative Problem Solver

Problem solving is a term that every human being might have come across on multiple occasions. Everybody states that a manager or a supervisor has to be a master at problem solving. But this is not true! Every human being faces multiple problems in life that he must try to solve. For instance, a housewife has to plan the expenditure for her house carefully. If she finds that she is running short of finances, she must work backward and see how she can overcome the problem while purchasing the same amount of products for her house.

The process of problem solving is not relevant only to human beings. It could be related to most living beings. It was found that there are cats living in the arctic region. Its climate is terribly cold and there is barely any life in the region. There are cats in the region though! Surprising is it not? These cats are lean because their body burns the fat to keep it warm. It cannot last forever without food. There are rabbits in the arctic too. These rabbits are food for the cats. The cat cannot chase the rabbit all over the region. It cannot lose all of its energy in chasing a rabbit that it might not catch. The cat actually analyzes the situation and checks on whether or not it should chase the rabbit. It takes into consideration the distance between the rabbit and itself. If it feels that it can chase the rabbit and catch it, it goes on its hunt.

This is a classic example of problem solving. The problem at hand here is whether or not the cat must hunt for the rabbit. The cat uses the basics of physics in order to obtain a solution. The answer is very simple yes or no. It is the method through which the answer is obtained that is problem solving!

Using critical thinking techniques allows you to take apart complex problems and understand each element, as well as the effects of your ideas on the problem. Thinking critically can help you when it comes to problem solving.

Most of us can recall from our days in school that a lot of learning once depended on rote memorization. However, when it comes to solving problems, this approach can be a problem. For, in order to solve a problem, we need not just know facts and information, but be able to apply them as related to a situation. This is where critical thinking ability. Comes in. Here is a step-by-step view of critical thinking as it applies to problem solving.

Step 1: Identify the Problem

Well, does it seem surprising that we are starting with this step? This is a simple, yet a crucial step. Think about all the time, energy and resources that we end up dedicating towards problems that dont necessarily need all that attention. Ask yourself a simple question Is this the right problem to solve? More often than not, the usual approach towards solving a problem happens to be reactive. We wait for a problem to arise before thinking of a solution. The first step towards practical problem solving is that you should start being proactive. Find a problem and address it before it can ever arise. Look at all the likely issues that might come up and go about fixing them one after the other.

In order to attempt to solve a problem, you must know whether there really is a problem. This means, taking the time to look at a situation and see whether it is a problem that is worth your time and effort to rectify, or whether there has just been some kind of misunderstanding. When you do locate a problem, you need to identify what exactly it is in detailed and specific terms.

Step 2: Define and Analyze the Problem

This might seem like a very simple thing to do. But like the previous step, this is very important, and you shouldnt skip it. This is, in fact, the key to solve problems efficiently. By combining problems that are valuable to solve and then defining what you are trying to solve, will dramatically help in improving your problem-solving efficiency. Attitude is the key to determining a problem. Try to look for an opportunity in every hurdle you are faced with. Look for the silver lining. This is very important, and it helps you in defining the problem in such a manner that it will help you in focusing on the potential thats available in every situation you come across. Start starving your problems and start feeding all the opportunities you have. Well, you might not see it right away, but every problem is a learning opportunity. When you stop thinking of a problem as an obstacle and instead view it as an opportunity, you will be able to deal with it effectively. So, try framing your problem with a positive attitude, and it will not seem dreadful anymore.

Once you know what the problem is, look at it from many different points of view. This will help you to answer questions such as: Can it be solved? Will you be able to solve it alone or will you need the help of others? Is the problem real, or is it only being perceived in that way?

Analysis comprises of the process of discovering facts and finding out all the relevant information about the situation that you are in. You can even make a checklist of different bits of information that you will require and then go about collecting the same. You will need to dig deep and try to analyze what the problem is and isnt. A critical aspect of this step is to make sure that you involve the right people. You can make use of these three simple questions while selecting the people who can be brought on board for helping you solve the problem.

Who knows? Who are all the people who know about the situation and have information or something of value to contribute?

Who cares? Who are all those who would care if something is being done to rectify the problem on hand?

Who can? Who can help you in finding a solution?

These questions are quite fundamental and can come in handy when you are trying to identify all those who can help you in solving a problem. Analysis often needs a detailed examination of a given situation, and this step shouldnt be skipped at any cost. If you dont analyze a situation thoroughly, you never know what it is and what it isnt. When you dont have this basic information, it does become quite difficult to think of an ideal solution.