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THE SIX-STEP
PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESS
A CS1L Practical 3 Presentation by Mihlali Njoli (15N3154)
STEP 1: IDENTIFY AND SELECT THE PROBLEM
STEP 2:
ANALYSE THE PROBLEM
STEP 2: GENERATE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS STEP 4: SELECT
AND PLAN THE SOLUTION STEP 5:
IMPLEMENT THE SOLUTION STEP 6:
EVALUATE THE SOLUTION
Problems are an everyday life situation and it is impossible for us as people to not have them. For this particular reason, the Six-Step Problem-Solving process was established so that those who use it can easily control and deal with problems they face, in particular problems such as being a student, going through different life transitions and different occurrences.
The six steps of the process include;
Identify And Select The Problem: You need to know what is wrong in order to solve it.
Analyse The Problem: Make sure that you know all the required information about the problem as this prevent mistakes.
Generate Potential Solutions: Come up with ways you can solve the problem.
Select And Plan The Solution: Choose a solution that best resolves the problem and begin to build on it.
Implement The Solution: Having built the solution, comes a time where you have to execute it.
Evaluate The Solution: Inspect how the solution has affected the problem.
In this step, the main objective is to find out what the actual problem is. Though it seems like an easy step, certain aspects such as the impact of the problem on one’s emotions and the complexity of the problem need to be taken into consideration. It is because of this that the STAR method is used to effectively determine what the actual problem is. Not only is the STAR method useful in problem selection, but it’s also about knowing how far you actually are from solving the problem.
The STAR (Stop-Think-Act-Review) method is a tool used for the first step of the six- step problem-solving process, which is identifying and selecting the problem. In order to fully execute this method you will need to;
Stop:Pause for a minute; this is to ensure that the main focus will be on the problem and not on doing other things.
Think: Carefully inspect the scenario and try to come up with all aspects that may have had an effect on causing the problem.
Act: By looking at the aspects, initiate a counter scenario by creating a ‘What If?’
platform where you’ll interpret the scenario from other possible aspects.
Review: From all the counter scenarios established, see the effect of each on the problem that occurred. This helps to realise what the actual problem was.
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Having used the first step to identify the problem, move on to further investigating the nature of the problem (whether it is easily reversible or not), and gathering all required information about the problem. When doing this, it is important to have one main focus, which is to investigate the real problem. Analysing the problem will recreate the scenario, and this is very useful for realising the root/real bottom-line of the problem.
Now that the problem was has been identified and analysed, the main objective is to come up with ways to solve the problem. In this step, creativeness is crucial in order to clearly come up with every possible solution and what it’s effect will be on the problem.
From the list of possible solutions that have been determined, start the fourth step of the process by selecting the best solution to resolve the problem. When doing this, consider aspects such as the effectiveness of the solution on the problem, whether it will be executable as soon as it’s required, and if its effects are not going to either have side effects towards solving the problem, or start a new one. Also consider effects such as the availability of resources, possible restrictions, time and money amongst other things. Furthermore, eliminate any unnecessary aspects of the solution to avoid mistakes and having to start from scratch.
In this step, execute the solution which has been chosen and built. Though it may seem easy since everything has been planned out, it is still required to do this step cautiously and cleverly in order to gain the full effect of the solution towards the problem.
“Did the solution work? If not-why?” This is what the sixth and final step of the process focuses on: inspecting if and how the solution affected the problem. Other questions that may arise include; “What went right/wrong?” and “What adjustments can be made?” in order for the solution to be effective, or work best on the problem.
The Six-Step Problem-Solving Process is the most effective algorithmic process aimed at bettering how humans (mostly teenagers and students) handle and deal with arising problems. It works hand-in-hand with other useful methods such as the STAR method to ensure that it delivers only the best in effectiveness and resolving many issues. Each step prioritises a single factor at a time, which is essential for everyone to understand and use. It can work for anyone who wants to use it, and its results are very impressive, as long as you use it alone as your ultimatum, and you follow each step clearly and with a focused mind-set.
Mihlali Njoli (15N3154)
