At the end of this class students should be able to:

Explain the concept of problem solving.

Describe the stages of the problem solving process.

Describe the role of information in the solution of real - life problems.

Problem Solving Overview

Problem solving is a systematic method of working through the details of a problem in order to reach a solution.

There a these MAIN steps to the problem solving process

1. Identifying the problem - this can be done through the use of research instruments such as questionnaires, interviews, observations, document review.
2. Identifying possible solutions- a number of alternatives are identified.
3. Evaluation of the alternative solutions - this evaluation is often done based on some criteria which may include available budget, certain specifications that the solution must have etc.
4. Selection and Justification of the optimal - here the optimal solution is chosen based on the criteria
5. Implementation - he chosen solution is undertaken.
   
6. Review - the solution after implementation is evaluated to determine its appropriateness and to see if modifications need to be made.

Information and its Role in the Problem Solving Process

Information is required for practically all elements of business operations. Without the appropriate information it would extremely difficult for mangers to make decisions and employees to undertake their roles. The following link provides notes on the uses of information in business. It also revisits the difference between information and data.

Need for information in business

Now that you have reviewed why information is important in business. I wish to state that information is important in every sphere of life in the problem solving process and not just in business. Information is required for problem solving in the following areas:

Personal - personal issues and dilemmas

Scientific - experiments and discoveries

Social - society's problems

Categories of Information

Now that you are aware that information is required for problem solving in many spheres of life (commercial, scientific, social and personal), we can now discuss categories of information. Not all information should be considered in the problem solving process.

Information as it relates to the problem solving process can be

Essential

Desirable

Extraneous - this information should not be considered as it has no relevance to the problem

Cosmetic - this category of information gives maybe background information and other information that is non essential, not truly required for the problem solving effort but not irrelevant to the circumstances

I have included a job posting to illustrate what is desirable vs essential information

Criteria for accepting or rejecting information

Information is rejected or accepted for use based on the following criteria:

Bias

Accuracy

Currency

Cultural context/relevance

completeness

Refereed/unrefreed sources

The link provides more information about each criterion