General Procedural Model for Problem Solving

1. General Procedural Model for Problem Solving John A. Cagle adapted from Adams & Galanes

3. Stages in Preparing a Speech Decision to Speak Organize Create thesis & arguments Language Evaluate information Purpose & Subject Practice Personal Interviews Deliver Speech Books Information Needs Periodicals Internet Evaluate Results

4. Stages in Group Problem Solving Evaluate possiblesolutions Decide onbest solution Exigency: Decision to act Generate possiblesolutions Developimplementationplan Nature of problem& fact finding Evaluate information Plan & deliverreport Personal Interviews Books Periodicals Internet Information needs Evaluate Results

5. PMOPS: General Procedural Model for Problem Solving • What is the nature of the problem facing us? • What might be done to solve the problem? • What are the relative merits and demerits of the possible solutions? • What is the best decision we can all support? • How will we put our solution into effect? • How can we prepare an effective written and oral report?

6. Action Items Owner Due Date Description Matin 2/14/10 how many people killed in Fresno County by drunk drivers a year Banu 2/14/10 how many arrests made each year of drunk drivers Joua 2/14/10 what % of drunk drivers get arrested Danny 2/16/10 what are current ways of solving problem

7. I. What is the nature of the problem facing us? • A. Focus on the problem before thinking about how to solve it. • B. Begin with a single, unambiguous problem question. • 1. Problem questions focus on the problem (the undesirable state) and imply that many solutions are possible • 2. Solution questions focus on what to do, suggesting a solution in the question itself

8. I. What is the nature of the problem facing us? • C. Fact Finding: “Map” the problem carefully: who, what, why, when, where, how, how long, how serious • D. Be sure the group members agree on criteria [alternatively: Phase III task] • 1. Absolute criteria must be met • 2. Important criteria should be met

9. I. What is the nature of the problem facing us? • E. Be sure the group understands its interdependence, authority, autonomy resources, and relationship to other groups.

10. II. What might be done to solve the problem? • A. Defer judgment when seeking solutions. • B. Return to fact finding when new questions arise.

12. III. What are the relative merits and demerits of the possible solutions? • A. Analyze and evaluate the potential solutions against the criteria • B. Promote norms stressing critical examination of all issues.

13. IV. What is the best solution we can all support? • A. Which solution seems most likely to be accepted and supported by all persons affected by it? • B. Is there a compromise solution we can all accept as being likely to solve our problem? • C. Can we combine these ideas, or parts of them, into a solution?

14. V. How will we put our solution into effect? • A. Who will do what, when, and in what way? • B. What resources are needed? • C. Develop an implementation plan as complete as possible

15. VI. Reports • A. Write a persuasive written report to the appropriate parent body. • B. Plan an effective and persuasive oral presentation of the report.