Problem Solving Techniques-- Software development

Problem Solving Techniques

The process of working through details of a problem to reach a solution. Problem solving may include mathematical or systematic operations and can be a gauge of an individual's critical thinking skills.

Problem solving is as much an art as a science, but there are techniques for solving problems using logical processes, such as the divide-and-conquer approach and step-based problem solving

Divide-and-Conquer Approach

A divide and conquer algorithm works by recursively breaking down a problem into two or more sub-problems of the same or related type, until these become simple enough to be solved directly. The solutions to the sub-problems are then combined to give a solution to the original problem.

Problem Solving Steps

The six step problem solving process gives guidelines as to how one can be able to solve some different issues .  This can be issues or problems which face us as students each and every passing day.  This process also includes lessons on making decisions  We all know that life is full of choices  How you deal with a certain problem is actually a choice  SO SIT DOWN ,RELAX AND ENJOY !



1.Identify the problem  

• ·         What is really causing the problem?
• ·         Identifying the problem is the first step in the six step solving process
• ·         There is need to think of what the difficulty might be .
• ·         This needs one to review what had happened before .
• ·         This can include the actions he or she took before knowing that there is au problem.

2.Analyse the problem  

• ·         After finding out what the problem is ,one need to analyse the issue.
• ·         What could have really caused the problem?
• ·         This step requires one to understand where the trouble came from ,whatu the bottom line of the whole issue really is.  
• ·         Most of the times people get angry ,scold others , yet in actual effect theyu are not the problem causers.  
• ·         Analysing the problem is a very crucial step in solving a problem.
• ·         Think deeply about it !

3.Generate potential solutions  

• ·         After the problem has been analysed ,one can now be able to look foru different strategies as to how the solution can be solved.
• ·         There can be many possible ways as to how the problem can be solved.u  
• ·         But here there is need for weighing the solutions.
• ·         Which solutions can be theu best in order to solve the problem?  
• ·         Look for the negatives and positives . Advantages and disadvantages of theu possible solutions.

4.Select the best solution.

• ·         No one wants to live with a problem unsolved .  
• ·         Selecting the best solution requires writing all potential solutions down .
• ·         Analyse these potential solutions.
• ·         Look for their advantages and disadvantages .
• ·         The one with more advantages than disadvantages is likely to be the best solution.
•  

5.Implement or test the solution

• ·         Implementing simply means putting a decision into effect.
• ·         This step requires something to be done .
• ·         It’s not just sitting and thinking but putting a decision , plan or agreement intou action.  It is here that one tests the solution if it really works .

6.Evaluate the solution

• ·         This is the final stage of the process .
• ·         Evaluating the solution is a careful analysis of the best solution .  
• ·         It is here that one needs to study the resultu  s of the test done in step 7.
• ·         One can see if the solution really worked or not . If not ,what went wrong ?
• ·         This stage helps to improve the solution or the problem could be solved .