Applications

APPLICATIONS Problem Solving Pitfalls

The following are seven problems that might occur as you begin working as a group and simple solutions to help you through them.

Too Large a Problem

Biting off too large a chunk of the problem can lead to frustration, confusion and less motivation for the group. Be sure you divide up sizable problems and solve them one at a time.

Jumping to a Solution

This may happen when the group focuses more on getting to a solution than figuring out if it is the right solution which will really solve the problem. Be sure you have found the root cause of the problem.

Tackling Problems Beyond the Scope of the Team

This can happen if the group begins to work on a problem in which they cannot influence the outcome by themselves. Make sure you have the authority to implement the solution or give your plan to those who do.

Failing to Involve the Right People

People directly involved in the problem are often the best ones to involve in the problem solving process. These people know the problem best and often times have the suggestion needed to solve the problem. Too often, problems are solved and decisions are made by high-level personnel who have no direct knowledge of the situation. Make sure those who know the problem best are involved in its solution.

Applying the Same Old Solutions

Often, people will have predetermined ideas about the best solutions -- blaming someone else, for example. When a problem arises, they fail to search for the correct solution because it is easier to blame someone than working towards discovering the real solution. It is important to remember that groups and teams have good ideas, insights and contributions which will uncover the best solution, even if it may take longer than the same old solution which may or may not solve the problem.

Failing to Develop Good Reasons for the Solution

Often solutions are reached for the wrong reasons -- low cost, the path of least resistance or ease of implementation. These may not be the best criteria for making the choice. Base the decision on the criteria the group agrees is the most important in solving the problem.

Failing to Plan to Implement and Evaluate a Solution

Often the problem solving group fizzles out at the end of the process. If the solution is not properly planned, implemented and carried out, all the group's hard work to this point may be in vain. Without a specific plan, often nothing will happen. Each group member assumes that another is handling the implementation. Follow-up is also essential to ensure the problem is finally solved.

Implementation of Group Problem Solving

Lost on the Moon - An Exercise in Group Problem Solving

You and four to seven other people should take this test individually, without knowing one another's answers, then take the test as a group. Share your individual solutions and reach a consensus - one ranking for each item that best satisfies all group members.

Your spaceship has just crash-landed on the moon. You were scheduled to rendezvous with the mother ship 200 miles away on the lighted surface of the moon, but the rough landing has ruined your ship and destroyed all the equipment on board, except for the fifteen items listed below.

Your crew's survival depends on reaching the mother ship, so you must choose the most critical items available for the 200-mile trip. Your task is to rank the fifteen items in terms of their importance for survival. Place a 1 by the most important item, a 2 by the second most important, and so on through 15, the least important.

box of matches
food concentrate
50 feet of nylon rope
parachute silk
solar-powered portable heating unit
two .45-caliber pistols
one case of dehydrated evaporated milk
two 100-pound tanks of oxygen
stellar map (of the moon's constellation)
self-inflating life raft
magnetic compass
5 gallons of water
signal flares
first-aid kit containing injection needles
solar-powered FM receiver-transmitter

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