Strategies for Creative Problem Solving

A Tested, Proven Approach to Problem Solving—Updated with New Material and Current, Real-Life Examples

Strategies for Creative Problem Solving, Third Edition, will help you hone your creative skills and apply those skills to solve nearly any problem. Drawing on National Science Foundation-funded, advanced research that studied problem-solving techniques in all areas of modern industry, this book presents a comprehensive, systematic problem-solving framework. Through hands-on techniques and exercises drawing on realistic examples, you will learn how to approach an ill-defined problem, identify the real problem, generate and implement the best solution, evaluate what you’ve learned, and build on that knowledge.

This third edition has been updated and revised, further enhancing its value for engineers, technical practitioners, students, and anyone who wants to improve their problem-solving skills. Updates include 

• More than twenty-five new examples—based on recent, real-world events and topics—that illustrate the various problem-solving techniques
• Expanded coverage of critical thinking and reasoning
• An introduction to structured critical reasoning
• New discussion of managing complex change
• Expanded and improved explanations of the components of problem-solving strategies 

The first edition of this book earned ASEE’s 1996 Meriam-Wiley Distinguished Author Award, and now it’s more focused and useful than ever.

Companion Web Site 

The book’s companion Web site (www.engin.umich.edu/scps) is a valuable resource for students and instructors. The site contains

• Interactive Computer Modules: Seven simulations linked to the book’s content and designed to deepen your expertise with every stage of the problem-solving process
• Summary Notes: Chapter-specific material that highlights important points in each chapter—excellent for classroom presentations and concept review
• Professional Reference Shelf: Additional examples and problem-solving materials
• Additional Study Materials: Course syllabi and Web links to related material

To succeed, engineers and other technology professionals need more than technical and scientific knowledge: they also need problem-solving “street smarts.” For 20 years, Strategies for Creating Problem Solving has helped thousands of them gain these skills. Now, award-winning authors and pioneering engineering educators H. Scott Fogler and Steven E. LeBlanc have updated their classic guide to make it even more relevant and effective.

Strategies for Creating Problem Solving, Third Edition offers a complete framework for strengthening and honing creative problem-solving skills in any technical discipline. It teaches practitioners and students how to:

• Encounter an ill-defined challenge and systematically identify the “real” problem
• Generate, compare, choose, and implement solutions
• Evaluate success, failure, and opportunities for improvement

It introduces a proven problem-solving algorithm by presenting a series of graduated exercises intended to familiarize, reinforce, challenge, and stretch readers’ creativity throughout the entire problem-solving process.

This edition’s many improvements include:

• Expanded, revised and updated examples throughout, including new Fermi examples
• New material on making the case for change
• Tighter linkages between problem-solving techniques and real-world applications
• Even more opportunities to practice, strengthen, and deepen critical thinking and creativity skills

The first edition of this book earned ASEE’s 1996 Meriam-Wiley Distinguished Author Award. Twice revised since, it’s now more focused and useful than ever.

• More than twenty-five new examples based on recent, real-world events and topics that illustrate the various problem-solving techniques
• Expanded coverage of critical thinking and reasoning
• An introduction to structured critical reasoning
• New discussion of managing complex change
• Expanded and improved explanations of the components of problem-solving strategies

Companion Web Site

• Interactive Computer Modules: Seven simulations linked to the book s content and designed to deepen your expertise with every stage of the problem-solving process
• Summary Notes: Chapter-specific material that highlights important points in each chapter excellent for classroom presentations and concept review
• Professional Reference Shelf: Additional examples and problem-solving materials
• Additional Study Materials: Course syllabi and Web links to related material

H. Scott Fogler is the Vennema Professor of Chemical Engineering and Thurnau Professor at the University of Michigan, and a past president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He has chaired ASEE's Chemical Engineering Division and earned the Warren K. Lewis Award from AIChE for contributions to chemical engineering education and the 2010 Malcom E. Pruitt Award from the Council for Chemical Research. He is the author of the classic Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Fourth Edition (Prentice Hall, 2006), and Essentials of Chemical Reaction Engineering (Prentice Hall, 2011).

Steven E. LeBlanc is executive associate dean for academic affairs and professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Toledo. He has served as the chairman of the ASEE Chemical Engineering Division and as a co-chair of the 2007 ASEE Chemical Engineering Summer School for Faculty.

Benjamin R. Rizzo is a chemical engineering graduate of the University of Michigan and currently is a production engineer for Shell Oil, working on Unconventional Reservoir Optimization.

About the Authors xxi

Chapter 1: Problem-Solving Strategies: Why Bother? 1

What's the Real Problem? 1

Correct Problem Definition/Wrong Solution 7

A Heuristic for Successful Problem Solving 8

Summary 11

Web-Site Material 11

References 13

Exercises 13

Further Reading 15

Chapter 2: The Characteristics, Attitudes, and Environment Necessary for Effective Problem Solving 17

Getting in the Right Frame of Mind 18

Having a Vision 22

Working Together in Teams 26

Responding to Criticism 30

Conflict Resolution 32

Summary 34

Web-Site Material 35

References 37

Exercises 37

Further Reading 40

Chapter 3: Skills Necessary for Effective Problem Solving 41

Critical Thinking 41

Summary 63

Web-Site Material 64

References 65

Exercises 65

Further Reading 73

Chapter 4: First Steps 75

The First Four Steps 76

Summary 90

Web-Site Material 90

Reference 91

Exercises 91

Chapter 5: Problem Definition 93

Defining the Real Problem: Four Techniques 93

Technique 1: Using the Duncker Diagram to Define the Real Problem 94

Technique 2: Using the Statement-Restatement Technique 98

Technique 3: Kepner-Tregoe Problem Analysis 103

Which Technique to Choose? 109

Determine Whether the Problem should be Solved 109

Brainstorm Potential Causes and Solution Alternatives 111

Summary 111

Web-Site Material 112

References 113

Exercises 113

Further Reading 125

Chapter 6: Breaking Down the Barriers to Generating Ideas 127

Recognizing Mental Blocks 129

Improving Your Creative Abilities 133

Risk Taking 135

Summary 141

Web-Site Material 142

References 142

Exercises 143

Further Reading 145

Chapter 7: Generating Solutions 147

Brainstorming 147

Free Association 148

Vertical Thinking 149

Lateral Thinking 154

Organizing Brainstorming Ideas: The Fishbone Diagram 157

Cautions 159

Brainwriting 159

Futuring 159

Cross-Fertilization 162

Analogy 165

Incubating Ideas 167

Triz 168

Use The Defect to Solve The Problem 177

Summary 179

Web-Site Material 179

References 180

Exercises 181

Further Reading 185

Chapter 8: Deciding the Course of Action 187

K.T. Situation Appraisal 188

K.T. Problem Analysis 194

K.T. Decision Analysis 194

Adverse Consequences of the Alternative Solutions 198

K.T. Potential Problem Analysis 208

Summary 214

Web-Site Material 215

References 215

Exercises 215

Further Reading 227

Chapter 9: Implementing the Solution 229

Approval 229

Carry Through 241

Follow Up 242

Goal Setting 244

Summary 244

Web-Site Material 245

References 246

Exercises 246

Further Reading 247

Chapter 10: Evaluation 249

General Guidelines 249

Ethical Evaluation 253

Safety Considerations 260

Summary 260

Web-Site Material 261

References 261

Exercises 261

Further Reading 270

Chapter 11: Troubleshooting 271

Some General Guidelines 271

Technical Troubleshooting Exercises 280

Interactive Computing Module on Troubleshooting 292

Troubleshooting Laboratory Equipment 294

Summary 295

Web-Site Material 295

References 295

Exercises 295

Further Reading 304

Chapter 12: Putting It All Together 305

Case Study 1: Generating Sustainable Power for an Agricultural Processing Plant in India 306

Case Study 2: Problems at the Bakery Cafe 316

Summary 329

Web-Site Material 330

Instructor's Solution Manual 330

References 330

Exercises 330

Index 333

Additional Material on the Web Site (www.engin.umich.edu/scps):

Power Point Slides of Lectures

Summary Notes

Interactive Computer Games

Material from the Second Edition Not Included in the Third Edition Printed Book

Examples and Exercises That Complement the Examples in the Printed Book

Appendix 1: McMaster's Five-Point Strategy

Appendix 2: Plotting Data