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Strategies for Creative Problem Solving

by H. Scott Fogler and Steven E. LeBlanc

Emphasizing engineering type problems, Fogler and LeBlanc offer a five-part strategy of definition, generation, decision, implementation and evaluation. They deliver a large number of real world examples of problem solving gone wrong. Most intriguing are the examples of individuals solving the wrong problems, especially the problem within a problem of wording a problem. "What problem should I solve?" is at least as important as "How should I solve my problem?"

If workers are told the problem is designing a flowmeter that will not corrode and leak, they may waste resources trying to build a super flowmeter. The best solution to a leaking flowmeter may simply be to replace it at regular intervals before it starts to leak.

Here is a hilarious example that appears in several problem-solving books: When hotel guests complained about slow elevators, the problem was originally worded: Make elevators go faster. That did not work. It was then worded: Install additional elevator. That proved too costly. The best solution was merely to distract guests with their own vanity by installing mirrors in front of the elevators. The problem should have been worded along these lines: Make elevator riders happy.

If a space capsule overheats on reentry, the obvious problem is finding materials that survive. A potentially ignored problem would be finding materials that vaporize and dissipate thermal energy.

Poorly worded problems and poorly solved problems make up the best parts of this book. Many of these problems share the errors of failing to brainstorm and failing to find the right information. A good idea might be trying to word the situation several different ways, then research and brainstorm many solutions.

This work’s weaknesses include some psychobabble, pointless platitudes and other feel-good methods, but the good parts are worth it. Recommended. 203p (H)

—Book review article by J.T. Fournier

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