Problem Solving and Decision Making

5. Problem SolvingandDecision Making Presenter 1 Presenter 2 C7-129-15Day 4

6. Albert Einstein once said… “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.”

7. Way back on Day 2… Five Steps of Team-Based Project Planning 1. Project overview 2. Work Breakdown Structure Very effective when the goal or task is clear 3. Activity Assignments 4. Action on the Plan 5. Closeout Report

8. v. Problem Solving Project Planning ? What’s the difference Longer Term goals or projects Immediatechallenges

9. - John F. Kennedy “The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger--but recognize the opportunity.”

10. Five Steps of Systematic Problem Solving • Describe the problem - DANGER • Gather information 3. Determine the most important factors that contribute to the problem • Visualize what success looks like - OPPORTUNITY 5. Create action steps that lead to success

11. Systematically Solving Problems Allows You to . . . • Move forward • Eliminate paralysis • Deal with issues effectively • Save time • Reduce anxiety Because this is a learned skill, it will take practice.

12. Decision Making Techniques for Teams Consensus Multi-Voting Brainstorming Parking Lot

13. Brainstorming • Encourages participation by all • Can be an icebreaker to get new team members involved • Facilitates the free flow of ideas • Rewards thinking outside the box • Collaborative effort improves the overall end decision

14. Consensus • This occurs when discussion leads to an agreement, without resorting to a vote • Generally requires trust within the group • Group agrees to abide by the collective decision • Possible solutions are assessed and discussed • “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus” – Martin Luther King Jr.

15. Multi-Voting • Commonly used to narrow down a range of possible decisions or choices • Each team member gets a vote • Choices may narrowed down with consecutive voting

16. Parking Lot • This is a technique of tabling a subject that is not immediately relevant to current decision. • Allows collaborative discussion • May be a very important issue, just not pressing • Can and should be raised and addressed later

17. Let’s Solve a “Problem” It is Thursday morning, and your Troop’s long-awaited weekend bike trek (30 miles) along the Des Plaines River Trail cannot proceed as planned because of rain, flooding, and instability of the trails. Working with your Troop’s youth leaders, employ the 5 steps of systematic problem solving to determine what to do next.

18. Five Steps of Systematic Problem Solving • Describe the problem - DANGER • Gather information 3. Determine the most important factors that contribute to the problem • Visualize what success looks like - OPPORTUNITY 5. Create action steps that lead to success

19. More Fun and Games!!! • Round robin of 8 activities • You’ll use your problem solving and decision making skills – practice, practice, practice. • And, you’ll have fun—guaranteed!

20. And remember… Einstein and Kennedy gave you tips: • Planning is important • With “danger” comes “opportunity” • Is your patrol prepared?