Problem Solving

Problem solving is a general class of skills for identifying problems, identifying potential solutions to problems, planning the solution execution, actioning solutions, and finally verifying problem solutions.

Most problem solving skills relate to the first three steps; problem identification, problem solution, and planning.

Problem solving skills fall into two broad categories; formal and informal. For this reason, problem solving techniques are similarly divided into formal and informal classes.

Formal problem solving techniques
Formal problem solving techniques are those most often taught for the simple reason that they have a structure and approach defined that lends itself to being clearly communicated.

Informal problem solving techniques
Informal problem solving techniques are much more difficult to teach as they often have no structure of approach that can be easily communicated. This sort of skill is often acquired by professionals over a long career. When challenged to 'teach' these skills the first problem is working out how the skill or technique actually works. Professionals asked to teach someone how to do something that comes naturally to them will often respond, 'but I don't know how I do this, it just seemed like the right approach/solution'.

These informal skill are what we value as experience, and anyone who has been asked to teach 'experience' knows that it is immensely difficult.