Lesson2(6 steps-analysis)

Problem Solving
www.waynekroeplin.com 2010

Step 1
Identify the Problem

Step 1
Identifying the problem is not always easy. Example:
John Harrison knew of a problem…people were
getting lost at sea. But, was that the real problem
to solve? No, it was how to make a clock work while
on a ship at sea. But, that was not even the real
problem. The real problem was the pendulum on
the clock did not work at sea.
Here’s how you can get to the real problem, ask
WHY 5 or more times…

Step 1
The 5 WHY’s
People are getting lost at sea.
1. WHY? Because there is no device for telling accurate time
2. WHY? Because the existing clocks don’t tell accurate time at
sea
3. WHY? Because the pendulum can’t swing steadily in the
rocking and rolling of the waves
4. WHY? Because the pendulum is too heavy at one end and can’t
compensate
5. WHY? Because there needs to be weights at both ends
*You might need to ask more or less than 5 times to get to the root
problem

Step 2
Gather Information

Step 2
Gather Information
The Internet is a great place to start when you are
gathering information about the problem you are
solving. Also, talking with other people who
understand the problem. This will help you gather the
information you need.
This step is about fully understanding the problem.
*This step also involves finding out what solutions others have
created for this problem. Maybe someone else has already
solved this problem.

Step 3
Develop Possible Solutions

Step 3
Develop Possible Solutions
Do you like to draw? Step 3 is about brainstorming
and sketching out possible solutions. (Watch for my
class in 3D computer design.)
It’s good to think of many different solutions. Don’t
rush through this step, give it plenty of time.

Step 4
Choose One Solution and Refine

Step 4
Choose One Solution and Refine
At this point, you need to choose one of your
solutions and refine. Refine means to think more
about this solution and finalize any details.

Step 5
Build a Model/Prototype

Step 5
Build a Model/Prototype
There are 2 types of prototypes:
1. Functional prototype: Does it work the way it’s
suppose to?
2. Design prototype: Does it look the way it’s
suppose to?
*First, try and make it work. Then, make it look good

Step 6
Test the Solution

Step 6
Test the Solution
It’s at this step MOST people give up if their solution
does not work. DON’T GIVE UP!
If your solution does not work, ask WHY. (remember
the 5 why’s?) This will take you back to step 1, where
you will identify the NEW problem that needs to be
solved.

Step 6
Test the Solution
The key here is to never give up! You might need to
go through the 6-steps hundreds of times until your
solution is final.

Step 6
Test the Solution
It’s believed that Thomas Edison tested his solution for
the light bulb around 10,000 times before he got it
right. Each time, he identified a new problem to
solve. He never gave up!

DON’T GIVE UP!
Our world has countless problems that need solutions.
We need people who know how to solve problems
and will not give up.

Continue on to the
next lesson

Lesson2(6 steps-analysis)

More Related Content

Viewers also liked (9)

Similar to Lesson2(6 steps-analysis) (20)

Recently uploaded (20)

Lesson2(6 steps-analysis)