FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND LANGUAGES

SBFS1103
THINKING SKILLS AND PROLEM SOLVING

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: PROBLEM SOLVING FOR Ro Mystar College (RMC)

Name:

Ahmad Farouq Bin Omar

Matric number:

911212045225001

Telephone number: 0193285061

E-mail address: Far_rock91@yahoo.com

Tutors name: NINI YUSNIDA MUDA

Learning Centre: Seremban

JANUARY 2013 Semester

CONTENT
Introduction
Importance Of Decision Making
Problem Solving Strategies
Problem Solving Tools
Decision Making Strategies
Decision Making Tools
Discussion In The Context Of Creative

3
4
5-7
8-10
11
12
13

Thinking
Conclusion
References

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INTRODUCTION
Problem solving is a mental process that involves discovering, analyzing and solving
problems. The ultimate goal of problem-solving is to overcome obstacles and find a solution that
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best resolves the issue. The best strategy for solving a problem depends mostly on the unique
situation. In some cases, people are better off learning everything they can about the issue and
then using factual knowledge to come up with a solution. In other cases, creativity and insight
are the best options. Problem solving also known as cognitive processing directed at achieving a
goal when no solution method is obvious to the problem solver.
Decision making is a prime process of management executive. It is like sharpening the
knife before cutting the fish. If decision is effective and efficient you can accomplish your
objective with lesser cost, pressure and time. Besides that, it is also the thought process of
selecting a logical choice from the available options. When trying to make a good decision, a
person must consider the positives and negatives of each option, and consider all the alternatives.
For effective decision making, a person must be able to predict the outcome of each option as
well, and based on all these items, determine which option is the best for that particular situation.
Decision making is a process of selection from a set of alternative courses of action,
which is thought to fulfill the objectives of the decision problem more satisfactorily than others.
It is a course of action, which is recognize chosen for achieving a desired result. A decision is a
process that takes place prior to the actual performance of a course of action that has been
chosen. In terms of managerial decision making, it is an act of choice, where the manager selects
a particular course of action from the available alternatives in a given situation. Managerial
decision making process involves establishing of goals, defining tasks, searching for alternatives
and developing plans in order to find the best answer for the decision problem. Life is full of
choices at every moment of time. There are various of possibilities in front of you to choose
from. You need to select one course of action from all available options based on your judgment.
That is what form making a decision. If you think about it, life is a series of decisions and
consequences that follow them. Smart decisions are the success of judgment while bad decisions
are opportunities to learn from and correct our strategy. The importance of the decision process
in life is big, as what we eventually become, is a consequence of the decisions we made in the
past. We are what our choices and decisions make us to be.
IMPORTANCE OF DECISION MAKING

When you are young, you are not worried about taking instant important decisions when
it matters as these things will be done by parents. You will not realize how important it is to be
able to take quick correct decisions. But once you grow up, these things matters a lot as you can
no longer depend on anyone to take these crucial decisions on your behalf and if you do take
others help on this regard it might be an negative point for you throughout your life as you will
suffer of not being able to take any decisions on your own. So, somehow you have to learn this
art of taking quick decisions on crucial matters and once you take decision you should not look
back at all. Making decisions in our daily lives and in the workplace can be one of the most
overlooked processes. The daily routine presents us with hundreds of decisions, many quite
small, but every now and then comes the big decisions that seem to turn life upon its head
depending on the path we choose. Each of us in making decisions must choose which path we
will travel by. We do not have to choose blind paths to take the road less traveled by, but we do
have to take paths that require courage in making decisions. For example, sometimes we are
faced with decisions about personal relationships that have a great effect on work, school, or
whatever responsibilities may be placed upon us.
The issue that RonMystar college face is the achievement and performance of this college
have decreased . Besides that, RMC also have issue with their internal crisis. As a new college,
all of this problem they have to face. This learning institute brings next generation educational
experiences to young people wherever they are ready to learn. Engineering education has seen a
remarkable growth in the recent years as reflected in the steep rise in the number of institutes
offering programs in engineering at various levels. These institutions of higher learning (IHL)
which offers engineering education, need to play a major role in producing the right quality and
quantity of engineer to meet the requirements of marketplace. As a consultant appointed by
RMC, I have to identify the internal problem and prohibitive factor that exist.

PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES

There are 9 problem solving strategies. First is problem decomposition. The strategy of
problem decomposition abounds in utility. There are endless refinements to it. Skill in the
application of this strategy is a fundamental trait of good problem solvers. This skill can be
developed just like any other, by combining personal experiences of use with posited
explanations about use in a reflective manner. Problem Decomposition involves a series of steps
by means of which a set of needs is obtained from which the requirements are derived. Second
strategies are working backwards. Working Backwards in which you start with your customer
and work your way backwards until you get to the minimum set of technology requirements to
satisfy what you try to achieve. The strategy of working backwards entails starting with the end
results and reversing the steps you need to get those results, in order to figure out the answer to
the problem. The goal is to drive simplicity through a continuous, explicit customer focus. The
Working Backwards product definition process is all about is fleshing out the concept and
achieving clarity of thought about what we will ultimately go off and build. One can work
backwards not only from the final goal but also from intermediate goal state, especially in
circumstances where there is a way to identify these intermediate states.
The next strategies are hill climbing. A graph search algorithm where the current path is
extended with a successor node which is closer to the solution than the end of the current path.
In simple hill climbing, the first closer node is chosen whereas in steepest ascent hill climbing all
successors are compared and the closest to the solution is chosen. Both forms fail if there is no
closer node. This may happen if there are local maxima in the search space which are not
solutions. Steepest ascent hill climbing is similar to best first search but the latter tries all
possible extensions of the current path in order whereas steepest ascent only tries one. Next
strategies are means-end analysis. Means-end analysis is application of systems thinking to
planning whereby the overall goal is broken down into objectives which in turn are broken down
into individual steps or actions. Means-end analysis is based on the concept that every attainable
end is in itself a means to a more general end.

The fifth strategies are forward chaining. Forward chaining is one of the two main
methods of reasoning when using inference rules and can be described logically as repeated
application of modus ponens. Forward chaining is a popular implementation strategy for expert
systems, business and production rule systems. The opposite of forward chaining is backward
chaining. Forward chaining starts with the available data and uses inference rules to extract more
data until a goal is reached. An inference engine using forward chaining searches the inference
rules until it finds one where the antecedent is known to be true. When such a rule is found, the
engine can conclude, or infer, the consequent resulting in the addition of new information to its
data. Inference engines will iterate through this process until a goal is reached. The next
strategies are considering analogous problem. Considering analogous problem is a cognitive
process of transferring information or meaning from a particular subject the analogue or source
to another particular subject the target, and a linguistic expression corresponding to such a
process. In a narrower sense, analogy is an inference or an argument from one particular to
another particular, as opposed to deduction, induction, and abduction, where at least one of the
premises or the conclusion is general. The word analogy can also refer to the relation between
the source and the target themselves, which is often, though not necessarily, a similarity, as in the
biological notion of analogy. Specialization and generalization is one of the problem solving
strategies. generalization and specialization are important relationships that exist between a
higher level entity set and one or more lower level entity sets. Generalization is the result of
taking the union of two or more lower level entity sets to produce a higher level entity sets.
Specialization is the results of taking subsets of a higher level entity set to form a lower level
entity sets. In generalization, each higher level entity must also be a lower level entity. In
specialization, some higher level entities may not have lower-level entity sets at all.
Specialization is a Top Down process where as Generalization is Bottom Up process. Another
strategy that has in problem solving strategies are considering extreme cases and mixing
strategies.

The suitable problem solving strategies that RMC can use are working backwards. By
using these strategies it starting with the end results and reversing the steps you need to get those
results, in order to figure out the answer to the problem. So, by using these strategies we can
find the solution to a problem by starting with the answer and using inverse operations to undo
the steps stated in the problem.
PROBLEM

SOLUTION

RMC have problem with their student

RMC can use working backwards strategies

performance and achievement. The result of

to solves this problem. They have to check

their student exam is decreased.

about the lecturer that teaching student and the

qualifying of the lecturer. Besides that they
also have to check back about the schedule
whether it is suitable or not with the current
learning purpose.

PROBLEM SOLVING TOOLS

There are 6 types of problem solving tools. There are Brainstorming, Benchmarking,
Cause and Effect Diagrams, Flow Charts, Swot Analysis and Prioritisation Matrix. The suitable
problem solving tools are brainstorming and benchmarking.
The advantage of brainstorming problem solving tools is brainstorming session is often
the last resort when other techniques and methods do not deliver the desired solutions. There are
only a few basic rules to follow. These are easy to learn and perform. Once the rules are accepted
by all, any barriers to creativity fall quickly. In addition, the costs for a brainstorming session are
very low in relation to the output. With this tool, it is completely free and even faster to organize.
The biggest advantage is the high amount of generated ideas. At best, participants with different
knowledge and different experiences come together. The advantage of the outsider ideas is
multiplied when you use this tool. An online brainstorming can spread through social networks
and further.
This way you reach people with whom you would otherwise never come into contact. In the
end, there are ideas from people who participated in your brainstorming, you dont even know,
because the ideas are not criticized or rejected during a brainstorming session, interesting
proposals can be refined gradually. The participants of the brainstorming build their solutions on
the ideas of others, think them up and improve them. This synergy effect allows that better and
better ideas are generated. Finally, joint brainstorming improves the working atmosphere.
Working creatively motivates participants. The solutions found are generally more accepted by
the team and will be implemented with more support in the organization. It is different with
benchmarking problem solving tools. Benchmarking encourages a company to become open to
new methods, ideas, processes, and practices to improve effectiveness, efficiency and
performance. A benchmarking study results in valuable data that can stimulate thoughtprovoking discussions with key stakeholders. The results provide answers to the following key
questions:
-

How well are we performing compared to other companies?

What are the best practices?
What improvement opportunities should we focus on?

Companies who benchmark their performance report the following benefits:

-

Identifies specific problem areas and eliminates guesswork

Builds confidence when gut feel assumptions are validated
Helps to prioritize improvement opportunities
Shifts internal thinking from inputs to outputs
Serves as an excellent baseline report card
Makes it easier to increase performance expectations and raise the bar
Creates a sense of competitiveness and a real desire to improve
Challenges people to work smarter instead of working harder.

The process of benchmarking can be just as important as the results; especially if you plan to
engage several people to help implement improvements. By including executives and other key
stakeholders throughout the benchmarking process, you minimize resistance to change, and win
their support.
Companies who involve their team throughout the benchmarking process report the following
benefits:
-

Accelerates understanding and agreement on the real problem areas

Educates on the latest practices being used and performance being achieved
Motivates the team to work collaboratively internally to surpass external benchmarks
Removes emotion from the discussion.
Most importantly, regular benchmarking encourages a culture of continuous evaluation
and improvement.

PROBLEM

SOLUTION

1) RMC had a problem with their

1) The suitable tools that can be used to

management. They are lack in

solve this problem are brainstorming

communication.

solving tools. With this tools, all staff in

the management can speak out their
opinion and indirectly all staff will
communicate with each other.
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2) RMC had a problem with the intake of

2) The suitable tools that can be used to

the student. The intake has been

solve this problem are benchmarking.

decreased.

With this tools they can analyzing the

problem about the intake of the student.
They can discuss about the benchmark
of the student intake. After that, they
present the result to the management,
set the new target and use the result in
the process of improvement.

DECISION MAKING STRATEGIES

Decision-making is an essential skill for operational team leaders. Applying a systematic
method to solve problems is critical to team performance and the safety of operations. Team
members share the responsibility for solving problems by contributing timely and valuable
information to the team leader. The suitable decision making strategies for RMC is optimizing.

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PROBLEM

DECISION MAKING STRATEGIES

RMC had a problem with their intake of the

The suitable decision making strategies that

student. The intake has been decreased.

can be used are optimizing. It considers a wide

range of choices and weighs each of the
consequences. By using this strategies, they
can detect what sort of problem they had. This
is a strategies that assume unlimited resources
and capability to solve any particular problem.

DECISION MAKING TOOLS

The suitable decision making tools that RMC can used are PMI. PMI is an acronym for Plus,
Minus, Interesting. It takes the Scored Pro & Con a step further by forcing us to think about
what is interesting about the choice.
-

Plus are the pros. Whats good about the idea.

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Minus are the cons, the bad points of the idea.

And finally, Interesting. What is interesting? What are the possibilities?

PLUS
- Attract new student (3)
-

College

will

efficient

more
and

innovative (5)
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MINUS
INTERESTING
- Cost will be increased
- Produce many choice
(-2)
-

for student to learn (3)

College have to hire

and train new educator

College will be wellknown. (4)

Long term profit (3)

(-3)
-5
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SHOULD RonMYSTAR College ADD NEW COURSE?

DISCUSSION IN THE CONTEXT OF CREATIVE THINKING

There are 6 method that can be used in this creativity thinking. It is taking an innovative
and new approach, devising or changing a process system, coming up with a new product or
service, searching for new uses for existing things, improvising on existing things and
discovering or redefining a concept. The suitable method that can be used in applying creative
thinking in RMC issue are taking an innovative and new approach, coming up with a new
product or services, searching for new uses for existing things and improvising on existing
things.

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By using taking an innovative and new approach, RMC can make sure their college is
good enough and innovative. Besides that new approach can make the new surrounding and
attract more attention to the college. RMC also can coming up with a new product or services.
They can provide new services that are more efficient than before. Maybe they can use online
submission for the assignment. Searching for new uses for existing thing is another creative
thinking that can be used. For example RMC can produce student that expert in engineering and
education as well. The last method that suitable in this creative thinking method is improvising
on existing things. For example, RMC produce learner in engineering field. So they can enrich
their student with a lot of new input of engineering field, like engineering in food and
engineering in building hybrid transport.

CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, I have been use working backwards in problem solving strategies in
RMC issue. Besides that, for problem solving tools in RMC issue I have choose brainstorming
and benchmarking as problem solving tools. For decision making strategies, optimizing is the
best strategies in RMC issue and for decision making tools I have been use plus, minus,
interesting (PMI) to deal with RMC issue. For the last part, the discussion in the context of
creative thinking I have choose taking an innovative and new approach, coming up with a
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new product or service, searching for new uses for existing things and improvising on
existing things.

REFERENCES
1) http://psychology.about.com/od/problemsolving/f/problem-solving-steps.htm
2) http://www.mbaknol.com/management-concepts/decision-making-meaning-and-itscharacteristics/
3) http://www.education.com/reference/article/problem-solving1/
4) Tudge, Jonathan- Caruso, David. (1989). Cooperative Problem Solving in the
Classroom. http://www.ericfacility.net/ ericdigests/ed310881.html
5) Open University thinking skills and problem solving book version December 2011

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