:: Define the Problem 
 Look at the situation carefully.
 Figure out what it is that you are trying to solve. 
This will be your problem. 

Things to remember

Try and find the most important parts of the problem
Remain open-minded about the problem and its causes 
Be as specific as possible when thinking about the problem. 
This first step is just for defining the problem, 
not for thinking about solutions yet.

Things to avoid 
Immediately assuming you know what the problem and solution are 
Going directly to trying to solve the problem before thinking about it 


:: Identify Options
Make a list of all the things you can do about the problem. 

Things to remember 

Be creative when coming up with the list. 
Don't stop with the first couple of options - keep thinking. 
As you go through, 
look at the options together and see if some can be combined. 
Don't evaluate the options at this point. 
Try to give yourself some time to think about the options
 before making the decision on which one to use. 
Think about each option - 
look at the positives and negatives of each before making a decision

Things to avoid 

Only using the more obvious options; not being creative 
Only thinking of a couple of options 

:: Identify Best Solution
Think about each option and pick/decide which option is the best for you.
Think about what might happen if you do this. 

Things to remember 
Think about the possible consequences of your solution,
including who else will be affected. 
Make sure that your selected solution will produce the desired results 

Things to avoid 
Selecting the easiest solution because it is the easiest 
Not thinking about the consequences of the plan and solution 


:: Plan How to Achieve Best Solution
Think about what you will have to do to get there and 
what resources you might need to use. 

Things to remember 

If possible, make a schedule of when each step would be finished. 
Think through how the plan and solution will affect other people. 
Think about objections to the plan and solution and have answers ready. 


Things to avoid 
Not thinking through all of the steps 
Assuming that the plan and solution will work exactly as you think. 
Ignoring other ideas 


:: Evaluate Results
If your problem is still not solved, 
go back to the list of options and choose another. 
Follow the same steps. 

Things to remember 

- Follow-up with the problem, even if it seems to have been solved. 
Make sure that the problem doesn't come back or that other things
 have happened as a result. 
- After the solution is implemented, 
changes might need to be made - possibly even starting back to 
look at the options again.


Things to avoid 

- Not following up to make sure that the problem stays solved and
 that other things haven't happened as a result 
- Assuming that the problem will always stay solved 
once the plan is implemented 

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   To learn, or reinforce problem solving skills using these steps: 
l) Read and re-read the problem,at least three times.
2) Restate (list) the "facts" given, and rephrase the question.
   What information is needed?
   Is there extra information included? What's missing?
   Would a diagram, drawing, chart, or graph help?
   Organize what is known and what is needed. 
3) Predict, estimate the answer, within a reasonable range.
   How does the problem connect with concepts, facts, already acquired?
4) Select a strategy or combination of them.
5) Work the strategy to solve the problem.
6) Check the solution in terms of the question.
   Does it make sense?
   Can it be demonstrated, extended, or applied further? 


Strategies (to try)

1) Recognizing Patterns.
2) Simplify, substitute, reduce, round off...make it manageable.  
3) Experiment, model, visualize.
4) Estimate: guess and test.
5) Organized Listing.
6) Deduction.
7) Algebra, Geometry skills.
8) Working Backwards: when the outcome is known and the initial
 conditions are  needed. 

Computer problem solving on site

Problem solving on site.
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