Group Problem Solving

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> Guide & Worksheet for Applying the Complete Method of Creative Problem Solving & Decision Making (SM-14)
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CONTENTS OF 48-PAGE GUIDE
> What This Guide Can Do for You
> What Is Problem Solving?
> An Overview of Problem Solving
> Lessons on the Basic Theories of the Scientific Method of Problem Solving
> Use of Intuition
> Short Model Formula, SM-4
> Full Model Formula, SM-14
> The Various Organized & Little Sciences of Problem Solving
> Importance of Supporting Ingredients
> Review of the Basic Theory of the Scientific Method of Problem Solving

STEPS OR STAGES of the SCIENTIFIC METHOD of PROBLEM SOLVING - two pages on each
1.  Curious Observation
2.  Is There a Problem?
3.  Goals & Planning
4.  Search, Explore, & Gather the Evidence
5.  Generative Creative & Logical Alternative Solutions
6.  Evaluate the Evidence
7.  Make the Educated Guess (Hypothesis)
8.  Challenge the Hypothesis
9.  Reach a Conclusion 10.  Suspend Judgment
11.  Take Action

Supporting Ingredients
12.  Creative, Non-logical, Logical, & Technical Methods
13.  Procedural Principles & Theories
14.  Attributes & Thinking Skills

> Creative Problem Solving
> Group Problem Solving
> Management Problem Solving
> Problem Solving Activity
> Your Guide & Worksheet
> About the Author
> Briefs on Problem Solving
> Research Reports Index

Team Problem Solving Helps Collaborative Problem Solving

Group Problem Solving & Team Problem Solving - Unity of Action

The SM-14 model formula, the best of all problem solving methods, provides unity or working together on a step by step procedure to solve problems instead of everyone going ahead and just doing their thing. If you review my Research Report #xx, Steps Problem Solving - Model Formulas from the Literature, you will see that members of a team or group will have been taught no model formula or a wide variety of them - often short and incomplete.

Use the SM-14 Problem Solving Worksheet with its Step by Step Formula

Give each group or team problem solving member an SM-14 worksheet from my PDF file that is easy to download - just see the menu. This will keep them all on the course or destination and help them develop their communication skills efficiently when engaged on a specific problem solution.

Here is what Fran Rees says about the need for problem solving steps (in Teamwork from Start to Finish, 1997):

Authors have focused on the importance of teams, leading teams, the benefits of teams, building team spirit, and transitioning to teams. Yet, little has been done to help teams approach teamwork as a step-by-step journey with a clear destination. Teams can easily get derailed, lose focus, or become bogged down.

Over the years, I have worked as a consultant with teams in all kinds of organizations (service industry, computer companies, government, healthcare, education, and police work). In this work, I have found that a team needs some kind of a blueprint to carry it along. Whether the team is an ongoing, intact work team, or a team on special assignment, it faces a beginning, middle, and end, or crossroads, in its work as a team.

Teaching Problem Solving? Use the Free Problem Solving Material on This Site

Supplement the problem solving worksheet distribution to your group when teaching problem solving with material on this site for group problem solving or team problem solving.

Summary of Advantages of
Group Problem Solving & Team Problem Solving

Following the SM-14 Model Formula

Best of all methods for team problem solving.

Historically, it is the best problem solving method ever recognized and developed.

Shared vision for group problem solving.

Individuals have been taught a wide variety or no model formula. The use of SM-14 by all members brings unity of effort to the group or team problem solving effort and shared vision. Thus each team member can contribute their special talents efficiently.

Mental model for problem solvers.

SM-14 is a guide to the mental activity steps or stages and provides a mental model of problem solving. It is subject neutral and thus suitable for all problems in all domains for team learning.

Complete system of problem solving and decision making.

The supporting ingredients of SM-14 provide guidance to the complete system of creative problem solving and decision making.

Creative problem solving.

Step or stage 5 and supporting ingredient 12 show how and encourage creative collaborative problem solving as well as analytical problem solving.