Today’s Journal Question
What did you learn about the inventor you chose to
research? Were there any interesting facts that you were
unaware of before the assignment?
The Problem Solving
Model
Problem-Solving Process
Involves 3 stages
Problem Finding
Idea Finding
Solution Finding
It requires creative-thinking skills and critical-thinking
skills
The Creative Problem-Solving
Process
Problem Finding
Try to determine the problem by gathering
observations, feelings, and impressions about the
situation
Attitudes – very important because they influence how
the problem is perceived
Fact-find also important
Facts help define the problem and may provide
information to be used for solution
Idea Finding
Try to come up with different ways of solving the
problem
Creativity is the key
Some ideas may be absurd, but do not dismiss any
alternative
All ideas to be evaluated – sometimes the craziest ideas
lead to the best ventures
Ex. Pet Rock
Solution Finding
When the ideas created are evaluated – must establish
the criteria that will be used to evaluate each option
Criteria: standards used to evaluate the strengths and
weaknesses of each idea
Ideas that do not meet criteria are tossed out –
remaining ideas are ranked
Try the solution
Solution not what was expected? Try again
5 Steps
1) Define the problem – What is it?
2) Generate alternative solutions (min. 3) – be creative
3) Generate advantages and disadvantages for each
solution gernerated in step 2
4) Rank you solutions
5) Select a solution. Why?
Example
So you’ve opened up a coffee shop in your neighborhood. You’re excited
because you believe your coffee is great but also because you’re invested in the
neighborhood. Your coffee shop has an intimate feel about it.
Six months later business is okay. Not great, but okay. And what you know is
that there is great potential, great promise in what you are doing.
Just when you are settling in and getting the hang of doing business in your
neighborhood you learn that Starbucks is moving in around the corner. This
can’t be good, you think. I can’t keep up with them. They know what they are
doing, their brand is established, and they have a lot of money to back their
new start-up.
If you are the owner of the small coffee shop trying to make it in the
neighborhood and Starbucks moves in almost next door, what would you do?
Let’s Work Together
Step 1 – Define the problem
Problem: Starbucks is moving close to your location,
fear of losing business because they are an established
business
Step 2 – Generate Alternate Solutions
1) Mascot handing out Flyers - coupons
2) Reduce price of specific items – coffee, tea
3) Live Entertainment
4) Change location
Step 3 – Generate Advantages and Disadvantages
1) Flyers/Coupons:
Pros: People love coupons – save money
Spread word of business – more interaction with potential
customers
Online flyers/coupons – Facebook, Twitter, webpage
Cons: Flyers – thrown in garbage, Starbucks could match
coupons
Cost of hiring employee, and costume rental
Cost of advertising online, cost of website
Pro: more business
More money spent on snacks, lunch, food
Word of mouth of price discount
Cons: less money for coffee bought
Potential that food may not be purchased
Pro: More social
Attracts customers
Atmosphere - more fun, more comfortable, more relaxing
Cons: Cost of paying entertainers
Selection might not be appealing
Might come for entertainment but not buy anything
Only for evenings and night time
Pro: Fresh start – new customers
No new competition
Con: Costs to move and start over
Harder to establish new customers
Step 4 – Rank your solutions
4) Change location
3) Live Entertainment
2) Flyers/Coupons
1) Reduce price for coffee
Step 5 – Select a Solution and describe why
Paper Airplane ProblemSolving Activity