CPT121 - INTRODUCTION TO

PROBLEMS SOLVING

Problems Solving Strategies

Module 1 - Unit 1
Objectives
➢ By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

✓ Define problem solving strategies

✓ Define algorithm and heuristic and their role in

problem solving

✓ Describe typical common problem solving strategies

✓ Explain some common roadblocks to effective

problem solving.
Problem Solving Strategies - Introduction
Introduction
Every day, people face problems —usually, multiple problems:
➢ Sometimes these problems are straightforward,
➢ Some other times, the problems sre very complex.
➢ For example, say:
✓ You have a work deadline, and you must mail a printed
copy of a report to your supervisor by the end of the
business day.
✓ The report is time-sensitive and must be sent overnight.
✓ You finished the report last night, but your printer will not
work today.
What should you do?
Problem Solving Strategies - Introduction

➢ First, you need to identify the problem and then apply a

strategy for solving the problem.
➢ Practicing different problem-solving strategies can help
professionals develop efficient solutions to challenges they
encounter at work and in their everyday lives.
➢ Each industry, business and career has its own unique
challenges, which means employees may implement different
strategies to solve them.
➢ Interest in learning how to solve problems more effectively,
implies understanding of how to implement several common
problem-solving strategies.
Problem Solving Strategies - Introduction
Road Map Example
Imagine that you have the
following image, which is a map
of a road leading to the building
shown in the picture.
• There are a car and trees.
• The car cannot cross the
trees.
• The road is divided into
squares to calculate the
steps of the car.
• Each square is considered
as one step

How can the car arrive at the building?

Problem Solving Strategies - Introduction
Road Example - Solution A
Step 1: Move 3 steps to the right
Step 2: Move 2 steps downward
Step 3: Move 1 step to the left.
Step 4: Move 2 steps downward.
Step 5: Move 1 step to the right.
Step 6: Move 1 step downward.
Problem Solving Strategies - Introduction

Road Example - Solution B

Step 1: Move four steps downward.
Step 2: Move three steps to the right.
Step 3: Move one step downward .
Problem Solving Strategies - Introduction

Road Example - Different Solutions

➢ As we can see that Solution A and Solution B are both
correct solutions to the same problem, but there are
differences in the complexity and efficiency of the
solutions.
➢ The cost of Solution A is 10 steps while Solution B is 8
steps, so we consider Solution B as a better solution
based on the number of steps.
➢ Reducing the number of steps in the previous example
means reducing the amount of fuel needed by the vehicle
and speeding up the arrival time.
Problem Solving Strategies - Definition
Definition of problem-solving strategies
➢ When people are presented with a problem,
✓ whether it is a complex mathematical problem or a broken
printer, how do you solve it?

➢ Before finding a solution to the problem,

✓ the problem must first be clearly identified.

➢ Thereafter,
✓ one of many problem solving strategies can be applied,
hopefully resulting in a solution.
Problem Solving Strategies - Definition
➢ A problem-solving strategy is a plan used to find a solution or
overcome a challenge.
➢ Different strategies have different action plans associated with
them.
✓ For example, a well-known strategy is trial and error.
▪ Each problem-solving strategy includes multiple steps to
provide helpful guidelines on how to resolve a business
problem or industry challenge.
➢ Effective problem-solving requires,
✓ identification of the problem,
✓ selection of the right process to approach it, and
✓ following a plan tailored to the specific issue to be solved.
Problem Solving Strategies - Importance
Importance of Understanding Multiple Problem-solving
Strategies
➢ Problems can be classified into two different categories:
✓ Ill-defined problems represent issues that do not have clear
goals, solution paths, or expected solutions whereas
✓ well-defined problems have specific goals, clearly defined
solutions, and clear expected solutions.
➢ Problem solving incorporates logical reasoning and
interpretation of meanings behind the problem, and also
✓ requires abstract thinking and
✓ creativity in order to find novel solutions.
Problem Solving Strategies - Importance
➢ Various methods of studying problem solving exist including
➢ introspection, simulation, computer modelling, and
experimentation.
➢ Understanding how a variety of problem-solving strategies
work is important because
✓ different problems typically require approaching them in different
ways to find the best solutions.
✓ By mastering several problem-solving strategies, one can more
effectively select the right plan of action when faced with
challenges in the future.
✓ This can help you solve problems faster and develop stronger
critical thinking skills.
Problem Solving Strategies - Trial and Error

Trial and Error

➢ A trial-and-error approach to problem-solving

involves
✓ trying a number of different solutions and

✓ ruling out those that do not work.

➢ This approach can be a good option:

✓ if only a limited number of options is available.
Problem Solving Strategies - Trial and Error
➢ In terms of a broken printer for example,

✓ one could try checking the ink levels, and if that doesn’t work,

✓ one could check to make sure the paper tray isn’t jammed, or

✓ one may check for proper printer connection.

➢ When using trial and error, one would continue to try different
solutions until the problem is solved.

➢ Although trial and error is not typically one of the most time-
efficient strategies, it is a commonly used one.
Problem Solving Strategies - Algorithm and
Heuristic
Algorithm and Heuristic

A common type of strategy is:

➢ An algorithm - a problem-solving formula that

provides you with step-by-step instructions used to
achieve a desired outcome

➢ One can think of an algorithm as a recipe with

highly detailed instructions that produce the same
result every time they are performed.
Problem Solving Strategies - Algorithm and
Heuristic
➢ Algorithms are used frequently in our everyday lives,
especially in computer science.
➢ When you run a search on the Internet, search engines
like:
✓ Google use algorithms to decide which entries will appear
first in your list of results.
✓ Facebook also uses algorithms to decide which posts to
display on your newsfeed.
Identify other situations in which algorithms are used?
Problem Solving Strategies - Algorithm and
Heuristic
➢ A heuristic is another type of problem solving strategy:
✓ while an algorithm must be followed exactly to produce a
correct result,
✓ a heuristic is a general problem-solving framework
➢ You can think of a heuristic as a mental shortcuts that
are used to solve problems.
✓ A “rule of thumb” is an example of a heuristic. Such
▪ a rule saves the person time and energy when making a
decision, but
▪ despite its time-saving characteristics, it is not always the
best method for making a rational decision.
Problem Solving Strategies - Algorithm and
Heuristic
➢ Different types of heuristics are used in different types of
situations, but the impulse to use a heuristic occurs
when one of five conditions is met:
✓ When one is faced with too much information
✓ When the time to make a decision is limited
✓ When the decision to be made is unimportant
✓ When there is access to very little information to use in
making the decision
✓ When an appropriate heuristic happens to come to mind in
the same moment
Problem Solving Strategies - Algorithm and
Heuristic
➢ Working backwards is a useful heuristic in which you
begin solving the problem by focusing on the end
result.
✓ It is common to use the working backwards heuristic to
plan the events of your day on a regular basis, probably
without even thinking about it.

➢ Another useful heuristic is the practice of accomplishing a

large goal or task by breaking it into a series of smaller
steps.
Problem Solving Strategies - Algorithm and
Heuristic
➢ Students often use this common method to complete a large
research project or long essay for school.
✓ For example, students typically
✓ brainstorm, develop a thesis or main topic,
✓ research the chosen topic,
✓ organize their information into an outline,
✓ write a rough draft,
✓ revise and edit the rough draft,
✓ develop a final draft,
✓ organize the references list, and
✓ proofread their work before turning in the project.

➢ The large task becomes less overwhelming when it is broken

down into a series of small steps
Problem Solving Strategies - Means-Ends
Analysis
Means-Ends Analysis
➢ This strategy involves choosing and analysing an action at a
series of smaller steps to move closer to the goal.
➢ One example of means-end analysis can be found by using
the Tower of Hanoi paradigm. This paradigm can be
modelled as a word problem.
➢ The actual Tower of Hanoi problem consists of three rods
sitting vertically on a base with a number of disks of different
sizes that can slide onto any rod.
➢ The puzzle starts with the disks in a neat stack in ascending
order of size on one rod, the smallest at the top making a
conical shape.
Problem Solving Strategies - Means-Ends
Analysis

➢ The objective of the puzzle is to move the entire stack to

another rod obeying the following rules:
✓ Only one disk can be moved at a time.

✓ Each move consists of taking the upper disk from one of the
stacks and placing it on top of another stack or on an
empty rod.

✓ No larger disc may be placed on top of a smaller disk.

➢ With 3 disks, the puzzle can be solved in 7 moves.

An Illustration of Tower of Hanoi: The solution for 3 disks
involves 7 steps or moves
Problem Solving Strategies - Means-Ends
Analysis
➢ The minimal moves required to solve a Tower of Hanoi

puzzle is
2n – 1, where 𝑛 is the number of disks.

➢ For example, if there were 14 disks in the tower,

➢ the minimum amount of moves that could be made to

solve the puzzle would be

214 – 1 = 16,383 moves.

Problem Solving Strategies - Means-Ends
Analysis
➢ There are various ways of approaching the Tower of
Hanoi or its related problems in addition to the
approaches listed above including
✓ an iterative solution,
✓ recursive solution,
✓ non-recursive solution,
✓ a binary and Gray-code solutions, and
✓ graphical representations.
The above outlined methods are left as reading assigment
Problem Solving Strategies - Means-Ends
Analysis
➢ An iterative solution entails
✓ moving the smallest pieces over one, then

✓ moving the next over one and if there is no tower position

in the chosen direction you are moving to,

✓ move the pieces to the opposite end, but then continue to

move in the same direction.

➢ By doing this, one will complete the puzzle in the

minimum amount of moves when there are 3 disks.
Problem Solving Strategies - Means-Ends
Analysis
➢ Recursive solutions represent
✓ recognizing that the puzzle can be broken down into
a series of subproblems to each of which the same
general solving procedures apply, and then

✓ the total solution can be found by putting together

the sub solutions.
Problem Solving Strategies - Means-Ends
Analysis
➢ Non-recursive solutions entail recognizing that the procedures
required to solve the problem have many regularities such as
✓ when counting the moves starting at 1,
✓ position of the disk in the series to be moved during move 𝑚
represents the number of times 𝑚 can be divided by 2 which
indicates that every odd move involves the smallest disk.

✓ This allows for the following algorithm:

▪ Move the smallest disk to the peg that it has not recently come
from.

▪ Move another disk legally (there will only be one possibility)

Problem Solving Strategies - Means-Ends
Analysis
➢ A Binary and Gray solutions describe disk move
numbers in binary notation (base-2) where
✓ there is only one binary digit (a bit) for each disk, and

✓ the most significant (leftmost bit) represents the

largest disk.

✓ A bit with a different value to the previous one means

that the corresponding disk is one position to the left
or right of the previous one.
Problem Solving Strategies - Means-Ends
Analysis
➢ Graphical representations, as their name imply, represent
visual presentations of conditions

✓ that can be modelled in order to view the most efficient and

effective solutions.

➢ A common graph for the Tower of Hanoi is represented by a

unidirectional, pyramid shaped graph, where
✓ different nodes (pieces within each level of the graph)
represent distributions of disks and the

✓ edges represent moves

Problem Solving Strategies - Means-Ends
Analysis
Commonly used Problem Solving Strategies
Problem Solving Strategies - Other Problem-
solving Strategies
Other Problem-solving Strategies
Here are some examples of problem-solving strategies that may
equally be adopted to see which works best for you in different
situations:
1. Use past experience
Take the time to consider if you have encountered a similar
situation to your current problem in the past.
➢ This can help draw connections between different events.
➢ Consider how you approached the previous situation and
adapt those solutions to the problem currently being solved.
Problem Solving Strategies - Other Problem-
solving Strategies
➢ For example, a company trying to market a new clothing
line may consider marketing tactics they have previously
used, such as
✓ magazine advertisements,

✓ influencer campaigns or

✓ social media advertisements.

➢ By analysing what tactics have worked in the past, they

can create a successful marketing campaign again.
Problem Solving Strategies - Other Problem-
solving Strategies
2. Bring in a facilitator

If one is trying to solve a complex problem with a group of other

people,

➢ bringing in a facilitator can help increase efficiency and

mediate collaboration.

➢ Having an impartial third party can help a group

✓ stay on task,

✓ document the process and

✓ have a more meaningful conversation.

Problem Solving Strategies - Other Problem-
solving Strategies

3. Develop a decision matrix for evaluation

➢ If multiple solutions are developed for a problem,

✓ one may need to determine which one is the best.

➢ A decision matrix can be an excellent tool to help

you approach this task because

✓ it allows you to rank potential solutions.
Problem Solving Strategies - Other Problem-
solving Strategies
➢ Some factors you can analyse when ranking each
potential solution are:
✓ Timeliness

✓ Risk

✓ Manageability

✓ Expense

✓ Practicality

✓ Effectiveness
Problem Solving Strategies - Other Problem-
solving Strategies
➢ After having decided which factors to include, use them to
rank each potential solution by assigning a weighted value of
0 to 10 in each of these areas. For example, one solution
may receive a score of 10 in the timeliness factor because it
meets all the requirements, while another solution may only
receive a seven.
➢ Having ranked each of the potential solutions based on these
factors, add up the total number of points each solution
received.
➢ The solution with the highest number of points should meet
the most important criteria.
Problem Solving Strategies - Other Problem-
solving Strategies
4. Ask your peers for help
➢ Getting opinions from peers can expose new perspectives
and unique solutions.
➢ Friends, families or colleagues may have different
experiences, ideas and skills that may contribute to finding
the best solution to a problem.
➢ Consider asking a diverse range of colleagues or peers to
share what they would do if they were in your situation.
➢ Even if you don't end up taking one of their suggestions, the
conversation may help you process your ideas and arrive at a
new solution.
Problem Solving Strategies - Other Problem-
solving Strategies
5. Step away from the problem
Finally, if the problem being worked on does not need an
immediate solution,
➢ Consider stepping away from it for a short period of time.
➢ You can do this literally by taking a walk to help clear your
mind or literally by setting the problem aside for a few days
until you are ready to approach it again.
➢ Allowing yourself time to rest, exercise and take care of your
own well-being can make solving the problem easier when
you come back to it because you may feel energised and
focused.
Problem Solving Strategies - Conclusion

Conclusion
Certainly, problem-solving is not a flawless process.

➢ There are a number of different obstacles that can interfere

with the ability to solve a problem quickly and efficiently.

➢ These include:
✓ functional fixedness:
▪ the tendency to view problems only in their customary
manner.
▪ prevents people from fully seeing the different
options to the solution of the problem
Problem Solving Strategies - Conclusion

✓ Irrelevant information:
▪ It is important to distinguish between information
that is relevant to the issue, because
▪ irrelevant data that can lead to faulty solutions.
✓ Assumptions - when dealing with a problem, people
often make:
▪ assumptions about the constraints and
▪ obstacles that prevent certain solutions.
Problem Solving Strategies - Conclusion

➢ When a problem is very complex,

✓ the easier it is to focus on misleading or irrelevant

information.

➢ Mental set makes people to only want to use solutions that

have worked in the past rather than looking for alternative
ideas.
✓ It can often work as a heuristic, making it a useful problem-
solving tool, however,

✓ it can also lead to inflexibility, making it more difficult to find

effective solutions.
Problem Solving Strategies - Summary
Summary
In this unit we learnt that:
➢ Problem-solving strategies which may include multiple steps
in order to proffer solution to business problem or industrial
challenges.

➢ Effective problem-solving requires one to identify

✓ the problem,

✓ select the right process to approach it, and

✓ follow a plan tailored to the specific issue you are trying

to address
Problem Solving Strategies - Summary

➢ Understanding the strategies of proffering solutions

to a problem through trial and error, algorithm,
heuristic and means-ends analysis.

➢ Applying Tower of Hanoi to solve strategy which

✓ involves choosing and analysing an action at a

series of smaller steps to move closer to the goal
Problem Solving Strategies - End