Strategies for Creative Problem-Solving

by Fogler, H. Scott; LeBlanc, Steven E.

• ISBN13: 9780131793187
• ISBN10: 0131793187
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1994-08-22
• Publisher: PEARSO

Summary

"Strategies for Creative Problem Solving, Second Edition, will help you sharpen your "street smarts" and leverage your creative skills to find better solutions for virtually any technical problem. Drawing on advanced, National Science Foundation-funded research, it introduces a start-to-finish problem-solving framework that integrates proven strategies from todays most effective technical organizations. Using its hands-on techniques and exercises, you'll learn how to gather data, systematically identify problems, generate superior alternatives, choose and implement the best solution, evaluate what you learn, and use that knowledge to create even better outcomes."--BOOK JACKET.

Author Biography

Steven E. LeBlanc is associate dean for academic affairs and professor of chemical engineering at the University of Toledo. H. Scott Fogler is Vennema Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan.

Table of Contents

PREFACE	vii
CHAPTER 1 Problem-Solving Strategies-Why Bother?	1	(10)
1.1 What's the Real Problem?	1	(4)
1.2 Right Problem/Wrong Solution	5	(3)
Summary	8	(1)
References	8	(1)
Further Reading	9	(1)
Exercises	9	(2)
CHAPTER 2 Getting Started	11	(18)
2.1 Getting in the Right Frame of Mind	11	(2)
2.2 Taking Risks	13	(2)
2.3 Looking for Paradigm Shifts	15	(1)
2.4 Having a Vision	16	(1)
2.5 Using A Heuristic	17	(2)
2.6 Fostering Creativity	19	(1)
2.7 Interacting Creatively	20	(1)
2.8 Working Together in Teams	21	(2)
Closure	23	(1)
Summary	24	(1)
References	24	(1)
Further Reading	24	(1)
Exercises	25	(4)
CHAPTER 3 Problem Definition	29	(32)
3.1 The First Four Steps	29	(5)
3.2 Defining The Real Problem	34	(16)
3.2A Finding Out Where the Problem Came From	34	(4)
3.2B Exploring the Problem	38	(3)
3.2C Using the Present State/Desired State Technique	41	(1)
3.2D The Duncker Diagram	42	(4)
3.2E Using the Statement-Restatement Technique	46	(4)
3.2F Evaluating the Problem Definition	50	(1)
3.3 The Next Four Steps	50	(3)
Summary	53	(1)
References	54	(1)
Further Reading	54	(1)
Exercises	54	(7)
CHAPTER 4 Generating Solutions	61	(26)
4.1 Recognizing Mental Blocks	62	(3)
4.2 Blockbusting	65	(3)
4.3 Brainstorming	68	(8)
4.3A Osborn's Checklist	69	(1)
4.3B Random Stimulation	70	(1)
4.3C Other People's Views	71	(3)
4.3D Futuring	74	(2)
4.4 Organizing Brainstorming Ideas: The Fishbone Diagram	76	(1)
4.5 Brainwriting	77	(1)
4.6 Analogy and Cross-Fertilization	77	(2)
4.7 Incubating Ideas	79	(1)
Closure	80	(1)
Summary	81	(1)
References	81	(1)
Further Reading	82	(1)
Exercises	82	(5)
CHAPTER 5 Deciding the Course of Action	87	(32)
5.1 Situation Analysis	88	(4)
5.1A Evaluation Criteria	88	(3)
5.1B The Pareto Analysis and Diagram	91	(1)
5.2 K.T. Problem Analysis and Troubleshooting	92	(6)
5.3 Decision Analysis	98	(6)
5.3A Cautions	103	(1)
5.3B Missing Information	104	(1)
5.3C Is the Decision Ethical?	104	(1)
5.4 Potential Problem Analysis	104	(5)
Summary	109	(1)
References	110	(1)
Further Reading	110	(1)
Exercises	110	(9)
CHAPTER 6 Implementing the Solution	119	(32)
6.1 Approval	119	(1)
6.2 Planning	120	(7)
6.2A Allocation of Time and Resources	121	(1)
6.2A.1 Gantt Chart	121	(2)
6.2B Coordination and Deployment	123	(2)
6.2C Critical Path	125	(1)
6.2D Necessary Resources	126	(1)
6.3 Carry Through	127	(5)
Revealing the Solution	128	(4)
6.4 Follow Up	132	(1)
6.5 Problem Statements That Change with Time	132	(1)
6.6 Experimental Projects	133	(14)
6.6A Do You Really Need the Experiments?	134	(1)
6.6B Define the Objectives of the Experiment	135	(1)
6.6C Choose the Responses You Want to Measure	135	(1)
6.6D Identify the Important Variables	135	(1)
6.6E Design the Experiment	136	(1)
Types of Errors	136	(1)
The Minimum Number of Experiments	137	(4)
6.6F Performing the Experiment: How Many Times?	141	(1)
6.6G Analyze the Results	141	(3)
6.6H Report	144	(3)
Closure	147	(1)
Summary	147	(1)
References	147	(1)
Further Reading	148	(1)
Exercises	148	(3)
CHAPTER 7 Evaluation	151	(18)
7.1 General Guidelines	151	(4)
7.2 Ethical Considerations	155	(4)
7.3 Safety Considerations	159	(3)
Summary	162	(1)
References	162	(1)
Further Reading	162	(1)
Exercises	162	(7)
CHAPTER 8 Putting It All Together	169	(14)
8.1 Case Study: Meet Me at the Mall	171	(2)
8.2 Case Study: The Silver Bullet	173	(7)
Closure	180	(3)
Appendix 1	183	(1)
Appendix 2	184	(17)
INDEX	201