Need of problem solving and Decision making skills
Problems, as we have already seen, are difficult
situations and as such obstacles that stand in our way preventing us from
moving ahead in life. These obstacles may be blocks such as not knowing the
way, the process involved or the procedure to be followed in reaching the goal.
Life itself is essentially a problem solving process. Indeed, unless we solve
problems, moving on would become difficult, even impossible. Hence the need to
pick up decision making skills and problem solving techniques.
When met with situations of difficulty, people
generally look the other way thinking that the problem would go away. Often
problems may in fact seem to subside for some time, only to re-emerge with
greater intensity and force. Problems are like weeds, says D’Abreo
(1993). If only their heads are cut off, they will grow again. But if
we dig deep and pull the weed out the roots, they will not grow again. Hence,
we left with no choice but to face the problems and tackle them head-on if we
wish to overcome them. We live in a complex world wherein various pressure
groups keep on sending conflicting messages, messages that would appeal
straight to the emotions of people, as Joseph (2003) notes, through the
use of such propaganda devices as name calling, glittering generalities, etc.
Name calling is so powerful a device that it can make people mad with hatred
and anger. In glittering generalities value laden words are profusely
used whereby people are so gladdened as to uncritically accept and approve what
the propagandists want without examining evidence. Such people in their
enthusiasm to win over friends or followers may use all the arts of deception.
In all such situations, to come out of confusion, we need to make decisions as
to what is right and what is not. Many are the occasions in our day to day life
wherein we are called upon to make decisions and choices. The occasions we have
to take decisions are so many and so varied. If we lack the skills to make
decisions and solve problems, we would find ourselves in a total mess. We would
become totally immobilized and helpless. The ability to make decisions and
solve problems is a fundamental requirement for attaining both professional
satisfaction and personal happiness picking up these skills can result in
surprising and welcome changes in our lives. We need to make people understand
the importance of these skills the way they deserve. We need to make people
approach problems with confidence, alertness, and enthusiasm. We have to make
them, as Hardigham (1995) puts it, as essential ladders to where we want
to be, not as yawning chasms that swallow us up.
In short, we need to pick up the skills of decision
making and problem solving if we wish to overcome the bumps that stands in our
way to progress; to find true direction admits conflicting messages; to escape
from the sway of ruthless propaganda; to pave our way to professional and
personal happiness; and to determine the course of life rather than awaiting
the pushes.
Factors
affected in decision making and problem solving:
There are mainly three factors that lead to success in
decision making and problem solving. These factors, as identified by
Fisher (1990) are: I) attitude III) experience, (interest, motivation and
confidence); II) cognitive ability (knowledge, memory, thinking skills); an (familiarity
with content, context and strategies). As these factors play a vital
role in our lives in relation to making decisions and solving problems, we
shall discuss each here briefly.
- Attitude:
When problems arrives in someone’s life then instead
of feeling threatening and retreating, good problem solvers would show confidence
in their own ability. Good problem solvers do not easily get frustrated and
give up but keep themselves in the right frame of mind. They see a problem as
an opportunity rather than an obstacle. So we should always have positive
attitude in our life, so we can easily come out from that problem. Thus, your
attitude will enable you to hold on to your own convictions and stand your
ground in the face of the gravest difficulty.
Cognitive ability
If
we are solving problem successfully we ought to have a wide knowledge base
which we can retrieve information from as and when the need arises. Simply if
we have lot of knowledge about any particular thing then it is not important
for solving any problem. As fisher (1990) notes, in thinking we do not operate
upon the world but on what we remember about the world. In thinking, we are
manipulating representations of things like words, numbers, symbols and images
rather than the things themselves.
Experience:
If someone wants to solve any problem, then he/she
should have lot of experience. Although the problems we encounter vary in
intensity, size and shape, the process involved in problem solving mostly
remains the same. The more we get used to solving problems, the less anxious we
grow; the less anxious we grow; the less anxious and more experienced we grow,
the more confident we go on to become. Our earlier experience would help us a
lot in this.
Ways and means of decision making and problem solving:
There are several models available in learning to make
decisions and solve problems what with several scholars having already worked
on these areas. One of the most significant available to us is that of Albrecht
(1992). This models involves two distinctly different kinds of thought
processes, namely I) divergent thinking which consists of expanding the
problems and II) convergent thinking which narrows down the problem. While the
former is called the “expansive phase”, the latter is called the “closure
phase”. Each of these phases has three steps, the problem solving process
discussed here consisting of six stages in all. These six steps are:
Expansive Phase – Closure Phase
Problem Finding – Problem Stating – Option Finding –
Deciding – Taking Action Evaluating Results.
Understanding each step in the process of decision
making and problem solving it bears explanation:
1) Problem findings:
Every problem deserves to be analyzed and studied in detail before
solutions are arrived at. We may think about issues that may eventually require
action and prepare for them in
advance. When problems appear to be insignificant, we generally adopt the
tendency either to live with them or ignore them. Thus identifying a problem
before it becomes unmanageable and taking care at proper time are important.
2) Problem stating:
Once the problem has been identified, the next step is
to define it. The problem has to be subjected to through exploration so that it
can be seen in all its dimensions in the proper perspective. The more
microscopically we look at its different aspects, the deeper the understanding
it yields. In short, problem stating invariably involves verbalizing the
various aspects of the problem as accurately and elaborately as possible.
3) Option findings:
Once the problem is located and stated, the next step
is to find options. Option finding consists of finding out as many options or
alternatives as possible for solving the problem. If we do not generate more
options other than the obvious ones, notes de Bono (1994), there is every
possibility of being trapped in the past in what we have always done earlier.
The process of making decisions with total awareness, as Peck (1990) observes,
is often infinitely painful than making with limited or blunted awareness.
4) Deciding:
The three foregoing step, as discussed in detail, deal
with the expensive phase and the remaining three are concerned with the
narrowing down of the problem. The fourth step evaluates all the options
available and, after weeding out all those options that are irrelevant, zeroes
in on that option which is most appropriate. This step is known as “deciding”.
5) Taking action:
Making decisions if not
followed by action can lead to nowhere. What is important is translating the
decisions into action. We need to plan what has to happen. Once the plan is
ready, we have to put it into action. Effectiveness of the action also depends
on how appropriately we allocate specific tasks to individuals and on the
coordination of the work. We should also coordinate and monitor the work
properly and ensure that everything goes on as per plan.
6) Evaluating actions:
Taking action is in itself not enough. We have to
ascertain where the results of the action stand in relation to the expected
outcome. We need to identify the difference between what is and what ought to
be. 
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