MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

IND137  1988 Fall – 2010 Fall

Problem Solving in Construction

1.

List the nine steps of Systematic Problem Solving (SPS). (I)

2.

Describe the process used to define a problem using SPS. (I)

3.

Presented with a construction problem, gather and interpret information and formulate a statement of the problem. (II)

4.

State the objectives that need to be accomplished in order to eliminate an identified construction problem. (II)

5.

Develop, sequence and evaluate alternative solutions that achieve stated objectives. (III)

6.

Describe the SPR method used to formulate an action plan from a sequenced list to possible solutions. (IV)

7.

Describe the process of preplanning in solving construction problems. (IV)

8.

Analyze an action plan using the technique of Forced Field Analysis. (V)

9.

Define the process of Intuitive Problem Solving (IPS). (VI)

10.

Describe how the IPS procedure is developed from the SPS procedure. (VI)

11.

Presented with a construction problem, state which problem solving system, SPS or IPS, would be most appropriate to use. (VII)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

IND137  1988 Fall – 2010 Fall

Problem Solving in Construction

I. Systematic Problem Solving (SPS)

A. Nine Steps of SPS

1. Acknowledge a Problem Exists

2. Determine What You Know or Assume to Know

3. Interpret What You Know or Assume to Know

4. State the Problem

5. State the Objective

6. Develop Alternative Solutions

7. Put the Alternatives in Sequence and Evaluate Them: Select Best Solution

8. Develop An Action Plan

9. Follow-up

B. Acknowledge The Signals That a Problem Exists

1. Immediate Action

2. Do Something About It Later

C. Which Procedure - SPS or Intuitive Problem Solving (IPS)

1. Familiarity With The Problem Situation

2. Time Available To Solve It

II. Interpreting the Problem Situation

A. Determine What You Know or Assume to Know

1. What

2. Where

3. When

4. Who

5. To What Extent

B. Interpret What You Know or Assume to Know

1. What

2. Where

3. When

4. Who

5. To What Extent

B. Interpret What You Know or Assume to Know

1. Facts

2. Assumptions

3. Expressions of Blame

4. "Knee-Jerk" Solutions

C. State the Problem

1. Differentiate Between Fact and Assumption

a. Difference Between What is and What Should Be

b. Potential For Change

c. How Can Situation Be Changed

2. Write Objectives

a. Subject

b. Verb - Indicates Completed Action

c. Time - Makes Objective Measurable

3. Criteria for Objectives

a. Specific - Means The Same to All People

b. Measurable

c. Achievable - Realistic

d. Committee - All Concerned Are Committed to Achieve It

III. Develop, Sequence and Evaluate Alternative Solutions

A. Brainstorming

B. Organize Alternative Solutions Into Logical Sequence

C. Evaluate Solutions

1. Is This a Separate Activity or a Variation of Another Item?

2. Is the Ideas Essential To Meeting the Objective?

3. Is the Idea Realistic?

IV. Develop the Action Plan

A. Who Should Be Responsible For Each Activity

B. Deadline For Each Activity To Be Accomplished

1. Must Do Activities - Critical

2. What To Do Activities

C. Follow-Up

V. Overcoming Resistance To The Action Plan

A. Recognize You Have a Problem

B. Objective - To Overcome This Resistance

C. Force Field Analysis - Examination of Negative Forces That Cause Resistance and Positive Forces That May Overcome Resistance

D. Discussion With Person(s) Involved

VI. Intuitive Problem Solving (IPS)

A. No Written Statements

B. Mental Pictures

C. NOT Reacting From Habit

D. Grows Out of Systematic Problem Solving Approach

E. Result of Practice

F. Result of Accumulation of Accurate Information

VII. When To Use Systematic Problem Solving

A. Problem is Very Unfamiliar

B. Insufficient Accumulated Accurate Information

C. A Degree of Risk in the Problem