week 10 - Application of Thinking

Week 10

Application of Thinking

This week I discover about thinking. The dimensions of thinking are critical thinking and creative thinking. We need to give a serious attention to some situation where we will face dilemma.

Problem solving is the process of working through details of a problem to reach a potential solution. It may include mathematical or systematic operations and can be a gauge of an individual’s critical thinking skills. There are common differences between problem solving and decision making. Problem solving looking at the problem in details; determines the cause of the problem and involves different techniques of thinking in identifying potential solutions. While decision making is the objectives must first be established, alternative action must be developed and evaluated against all the objectives and involves various decision making techniques tools.

Next, we are cover about 14 PS techniques. First is abstraction which solves the problem in a model before applying it to the real system. Analogy is using a solution that solves an analogous. Then, brainstorming suggests large number of solutions and combining and developing them until an optimum is found. Divide and conquer is breaking down a large, complex problem into smaller, solvable problems. Hypothesis testing is assuming a possible explanation to the problem and trying to prove. Lateral thinking is approaching solutions indirectly and creatively. Means-ends analysis is choosing an action at each step to move closer to the goal.

Moreover, method of focal objects is synthesizing non-matching characteristics of different objects into something new. Morphological analysis is assessing the output and interactions of an entire system. Proof is tried to prove that the problem cannot be solved and the point where the proof fails will be the starting point for solving it. In addition, reduction is transforming the problem into another problem for which solutions exist. Research is employing existing ideas or adapting existing solutions to similar problems. Root cause analysis is eliminating the cause of the problem. Lastly, trial-and-error is testing possible solutions until the right one is found.

Besides that, we discover about DAID Model which is a problem solving model. It is applying 4 steps which are defining the problem, analyse the problem, identify the possible solution and decide on the most appropriate alternative. Before we try to solve a problem, we need to know what a problem is. In analysing the problem, we must try to understand the problem from all angles and we can use WH questions. The advanced method is Kepner-Tregoe Analysis which developed to explore a systematic list of questions when analysing problem. In stage 3, make a list of all the possible actions could take in order to make the problem disappear. Last stage, we need to choose a solution that possessed mast advantage and least disadvantage.

On the other hand, brainstorming technique is important in problem solving. The functions of brainstorming are find innovative solutions, leverage individual’s creativity, motivate to higher plateau of thinking, create opportunity/platform to express uncultivated ideas and to extract ideas from diversity of group members. There are several guidelines to leading brainstorming session. First of all, brief the team on the problem’s background & post the problem definition statement. Then, review the 3 brainstorming rules; generate as many solutions as possible, wild ideas are encouraged, no criticism is allowed. Third, perform creative thinking warm-up exercise. Conduct the brainstorming, end the session; collect all ideas and lastly thank and dismiss the team.

The insights I gained this week is very useful to me because I learnt lot of thing about thinking skills. I rate 4 for the question I can remain focused on the exact requirements of an activity. For this question I have improve my rating from 3 to 4. I have increased my rating from 0 to 2 for I can offer criticism without feeling this makes me a bad person. Now I am open- minded in receiving criticism. I can see my improvement from 2 to 4 for the question; I find it easy to separate key points from other material. These are what I discover from this week’s lesson.