Answer to Question #224532 in English for Dee

Question

List the main steps you would follow during the problem - solving process

Answer 1

Step 1: Identify and define the problem

State the problem as clearly as possible. For example: “I don’t have enough money to pay the bills.”

Be specific about the behaviour, situation, timing, and circumstances that make it a problem. For example: “I need to pay the phone and gas bills, and I don’t have enough money to cover both this month.”

Step 2: Generate possible solutions

List all the possible solutions; don’t worry about the quality of the solutions at this stage.

Try to list at least 15 solutions, be creative and forget about the quality of the solution.

If you allow yourself to be creative you may come up with some solutions that you would not otherwise have thought about.

Step 3: Evaluate alternatives

The next step is to go through and eliminate less desirable or unreasonable solutions.

Order the remaining solutions in order of preference.

Evaluate the remaining solutions in terms of their advantages and disadvantages.

Step 4: Decide on a solution

Specify who will take action.

Specify how the solution will be implemented.

Specify when the solution will be implemented. For example: tomorrow morning, phone the gas company and negotiate to pay the gas bill next month.

Step 5: Implement the solution

Implement the solution as planned.

Step 6: Evaluate the outcome

Evaluate how effective the solution was.

Decide whether the existing plan needs to be revised, or whether a new plan is needed to better address the problem.

If you are not pleased with the outcome, return to step 2 to select a new solution or revise the existing solution, and repeat the remaining steps.