5.1 What is Problem Solving?
Problem solving can be defined as “the act of defining a problem; determining the cause of the
problem; identifying, prioritizing, and selecting alternatives for a solution; and implementing a
solution.”
We will always face problems in our life — it comes with the territory of being human. Your
ability to solve problems efficiently and quickly can help determine how successful you can be at
work and in your personal life. Specific problem solving techniques can help you do just that!
(Problem Solving Techniques for the Innovative You, 2021)
Problem solving process
1. Define the problem
2. Generate alternative solutions
3. Evaluate and select an alternative
4. Implement and follow up solutions
Problems faced before and during the event
Selecting an audience
1. Define a problem
Select a suitable audience for deliver the training event.
2. Identifying the problem
It was very difficult to select a suitable audience because of this pandemic spreading. A
lot of schools and institutes rejected our request because of strict health guidelines.
3. Choose the solution
Finally speaking with Esoft course coordinators and heads we selected the Esoft Ditec
students as audience.
4. Implement solution
We have prepared all the needs for training event that needs for Ditec students.
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Choosing a topic
1. Define a problem
Choosing a topic for training event
2. Identifying the problem
We had to select a suitable topic for our target audience. We proposed many areas to talk
about because we could choose topic related to IT or soft skills.
3. Choose the solution
Finally we select the topic for the event. It was related to IT. We were talked about
HTML.
4. Implement solution
We were ready for the event and gathered a lot of details about HTML.
5.3 Problem solving tools and methods
5.3.1 Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a very effective way to generate new ideas, and to finding solutions to a
problem. That’s why brainstorming is very important.
Brainstorming,
 Allows people to think freely.
 Helps generate new ideas quickly.
 Encourages open and ongoing collaborations.
 Enable conclusions by team consensus.
 Help team members get ideas in to the world.
 Helps foster stronger teams.
The four principles of brainstorming are quantity over quality, with hold criticism, welcome the
crazy ideas and combine, refine and improve ideas.
Brainstorming is a creative process that is used as an early step in generating possible solutions
to a problem.
Brainstorming combines a relaxed, informal approach to problem solving with lateral thinking. It
encourages people to come up with thoughts and ideas that can, at first, seem a bit crazy. Some
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of these ideas can be crafted into original, creative solutions to a problem, while others can spark
even more ideas.
There are four types of brainstorming,
Reverse brainstorming
A creative problem-solving technique in which the problem is turned around and considered
from a different point of view to spur new and different solutions.
Stop-and-Go Brainstorming
A problem-solving technique in which a group alternately engages in brainstorming solutions
without evaluation for ten minutes then engages in a short period of evaluation. The group
continues alternating between brainstorming and evaluation.
Phillips 66 Brainstorming
A problem-solving technique in which a group of six people brainstorms for six minutes and
then a spokesman for each group presents either the best ideas or all ideas to the larger group.
Brain writing
A problem-solving technique in which participants individually brainstorm ideas and document
them, then share them with a group to further push their thinking.
Using brainstorming for the event:
-
Providing additional tutorials to the students
Providing snacks to the audience
Use understanding learning techniques
5.3.2 SWOT analysis
What Is a SWOT Analysis?
A SWOT analysis is a technique used to determine and define your Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities, and Threats – SWOT.
SWOT analyses can be applied to an entire company or organization, or individual projects within
a single department. Most commonly, SWOT analyses are used at the organizational level to
determine how closely a business is aligned with its growth trajectories and success benchmarks,
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but they can also be used to ascertain how well a particular project – such as an online advertising
campaign – is performing according to initial projections.
Figure 11: SWOT analysis
Source: (How to Do a SWOT Analysis for Your Small Business (with Examples), 2021)
Strength
* had a good team leader
* had supportive team
members
Weaknesses
* bad time management of
some members
* weak attendence for
meetings
Opportunities
* got approvals easily
* got all print outs on time
Treats
* spreading of covid -19
* choosing suitable students
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Table 4: SWOT analysis
Source: author developed
5.3.3.5 WHYs method
5.3.4 The drill down technique
6.Evaluation of own role
The author is the acting leader for the group. So author too were responsible for the group work
as well as team leader. The author and the team leader assigned suitable tasks for the members.
Author did the presentation on the event. It was not easy to deliver the whole presentation. The
author prepared the slideshow for the event. It should be professional and understanding to the
students. Keeping record of meetings and event also tasks of this role.
2 Dinithi
1. Making the slideshow about HTML.
2. Present the whole training event to the
audience.
3. Keep records of meetings of team.
Table 5: evaluation of own role
Source: author developed
7.Continuing professional development
What is continuing professional development?
CPD is the organized process of continually improving and developing your knowledge,
understanding and skills. It’s something you probably do without realizing but, to carry out CPD
effectively, it helps to identify your development needs and then plan how you’re going to meet
them.
What are the benefits of CPD?
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Undertaking CPD is a clear indicator of professionalism, and getting it right can enhance your
employability. By keeping up to date and broadening your skills and understanding, you’ll:

be able to recognize and evaluate your learning and its real value

identify your knowledge gaps and ways to address them

plan more effectively to achieve your career goals

demonstrate your commitment to your self-development, your career and to the wider IT
industry
(Continuing professional development (CPD), 2021)
Importance of CPD
-
improves job performance
improve update skills
boost earnings
stay relevant
opens new opportunities
remain interest in carrier
expand social network
make a contribution to the team
enhance pubic confidence
The continuing professional development cycle
01. identify and plan
02. learning activities
03. reflect on your learning
04. apply your learning
05. share your learning
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Professional Development Plan
Name
Current education
position
Started in
Goal 1
A G Dinithi Nimesha Ranathunga
HND in Computing
2020
doing studies on time and covering up all
additonal subjects
Target- before end
of the each
semester
01st semester- 3004-2021
02nd semester- 3009-2021
03rd semester- 2802-2022
Goal 2
Goal 3
Skill audit
Skill
complete the top up In one year
Apply for a job in a software company
Rank
3 months
now
effective time
management
3
2
good to complete task in
time
use of MS product
3
2
2
1
good to present infront
of people
good in discussion
good to and receive
ideas
good in team work
good in solving problem
good in handle situation
positive and open
minded
A.G.D.N.Ranathunga
04th semester- 0108-2022
Target 01-01-2024
6 months
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
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good In challenging
something
communictaion
2
1
1
I have accomplished the
skill
1
I have this skill but need
to develop
I need to upgrade te skill
2
3
Table 6: PDP
Source: author developed
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References
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