Lesson 5: Human Process Interventions

Solving Problems Creatively and Analytically

by Joanna Ng

A Model Of Problem Solving

Step 1: Define the Problem

• Differentiate fact from opinion
• Tap everyone involved for information
• State the problem explicitly
• Identify what standard is violated
• Determine whose problem it is
• Avoid stating the problem as a disguised solution

Step 2: generate Alternative Solution

• Postpone evaluating alternatives
• Be sure all involved individuals generate alternative
• Specify alternatives that are consistent with goals
• Specify both short and long term solution
• Build on others ideas
• Specify alternatives that solve the problems

Step 3: Evaluate and Select and Alternative

• Evaluate relative to an optional standard
• Evaluate systematically
• Evaluate relative to goals
• Evaluate main effects and side effects
• State the selected alternative explicitly

Step 4: Implement and Follow up on the Solution

• Implement at proper time and in the right sequence
• Provide opportunities for feedback
• Engender acceptance
• Establish ongoing monitoring system
• Evaluate based on problem solution

>From notes and lectures in class




This model helps us how to identify and solve problems. For the first step, we should of course know what's the problem. Second, thing of ways on how to solve it by generating alternative solutions. Next is figuring what is the best solution among the solutions formulated. Therefore evaluation of the solutions possible effects and evaluating if it's relative to goals are necessary for us to be able to select the mos possibly effective solution. Lastly, try it and see what happens next, whether it worked or not. This is the implementation and following up on the solution. It needs to be followed up so we'll know if the selected and implemented solution worked or not. If it did not work, we'll at least be able to figure out where we went wrong and eliminate the wrong solution.


This is a good model although it seems long because of its trial and error system but a careful study of the 1st step and 2nd step would mean that there's no need for the repetition of 1st step which is Defining the Problem and just go back to the 2nd step and study what is the next best possible solution for the problem among the generated solutions. The 2nd step would only have to be repeated when there's no more solutions left or if the identified problem which is step one is actually wrong. Thus, the cycle would have to repeat. But in other case, if the 1st solution fails, we can just go back to step 2 then step 3: Evaluate and Select and Alternative then implement and continue to monitor it (step 4).