08-16-2017, 10:34 PM
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Problem Solving
INTRODUCTION TO PROBLEM SOLVING
Engineers must analyze and solve a wide range of technical problems. Some will be reasonably simple single-solution problems. Others will be open-ended and will likely require a team of engineers from several disciplines. Some problems may have no clear solution.
PROBLEM SOLVING INVOLVES:
EXPERIENCE
KNOWLEDGE
PROCESS
ART
FOCUS: Computer Assisted Problem Solving
Computers are good tools for solving rule-based problems using decision rules
THE ENGINEERING METHOD
RECOGNIZE AND UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM
GATHER DATA (AND VERIFY ITS ACCURACY)
SELECT GUIDING THEORIES AND PRINCIPLES
MAKE ASSUMPTIONS WHEN NECESSARY
SOLVE THE PROBLEM
VERIFY THE RESULTS
PRESENT THE SOLUTION
ENGINEERING PROBLEM TYPES
Create a new product
Invention/conceptualization
New/modified design of existing product
Cost reduction
Do it faster, cheaper, better
example: Personal computers
Develop or change a procedure
Example: Warehouse inventory -- Instead of having 3 month's inventory go to "just in time"
Human factors
Make our lives longer, better, easier
Examples: cruise control, moving sidewalks, management tools
TYPES OF INFORMATION FOR PROBLEM SOLVING
GIVENS: The initial condition of the problem
OPERATIONS: The various actions we are allowed to perform
GOALS: The desired final condition of the problem
PROBLEM STATE: The state of the problem at any specific point in time
SOLUTION: Completely specified the GIVENS, OPERATIONS, GOALS, and succession of PROBLEM STATES to get to GOAL state
STEPS IN PROBLEM SOLVING
IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
YOU CAN T FIX IT IF YOU DON T KNOW WHAT IS BROKEN.
DETERMINE WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE SOLUTION
WHAT IS KNOWN?
WHAT IS UNKNOWN?
ANY RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS?
ANY SPECIAL CASES?
DEVELOP A STEP-BY-STEP PLAN (ALGORITHM).
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FIX IT?
OUTLINE THE SOLUTION IN A LOGIC DIAGRAM
EXECUTE THE PLAN.
KEEP TRACK OF WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN T.
ANALYZE THE SOLUTION
REVISE THE PLAN AND RE-EXECUTE AS NEEDED.
KEEP THE GOOD PARTS OF THE PLAN AND ALTER THE NOT-SO-GOOD ONES.
REPORT / DOCUMENT THE RESULTS
LET YOUR BOSS KNOW HOW YOUR IDEA WORKED ( in a written report ).