"Decision Making and Problem Solving Strategies will help you to master the process of practical thinking that lies behind effective decision making, problem solving and creative thinking." --Book Jacket.
A unique collection of competition problems from over twenty major national and international mathematical competitions for high school students. Written for trainers and participants of contests of all levels up to the highest level, this will appeal to high school teachers conducting a mathematics club who need a range of simple to complex problems and to those instructors wishing to pose a "problem of the week", thus bringing a creative atmosphere into the classrooms. Equally, this is a must-have for individuals interested in solving difficult and challenging problems. Each chapter starts with typical examples illustrating the central concepts and is followed by a number of carefully selected problems and their solutions. Most of the solutions are complete, but some merely point to the road leading to the final solution. In addition to being a valuable resource of mathematical problems and solution strategies, this is the most complete training book on the market.
In Decision Making and Problem Solving: A Practical Guide for Applied Research, the author utilizes traditional approaches, tools, and techniques adopted to solve current day-to-day, real-life problems. The book offers guidance in identifying and applying accurate methods for designing a strategy as well as implementing these strategies in the real world. The book includes realistic case studies and practical approaches that should help readers understand how the decision making occurs and can be applied to problem solving under deep uncertainty.
Complex problem solving is the core skill for 21st Century Teams Complex problem solving is at the very top of the list of essential skills for career progression in the modern world. But how problem solving is taught in our schools, universities, businesses and organizations comes up short. In Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything you’ll learn the seven-step systematic approach to creative problem solving developed in top consulting firms that will work in any field or industry, turning you into a highly sought-after bulletproof problem solver who can tackle challenges that others balk at. The problem-solving technique outlined in this book is based on a highly visual, logic-tree method that can be applied to everything from everyday decisions to strategic issues in business to global social challenges. The authors, with decades of experience at McKinsey and Company, provide 30 detailed, real-world examples, so you can see exactly how the technique works in action. With this bulletproof approach to defining, unpacking, understanding, and ultimately solving problems, you’ll have a personal superpower for developing compelling solutions in your workplace. Discover the time-tested 7-step technique to problem solving that top consulting professionals employ Learn how a simple visual system can help you break down and understand the component parts of even the most complex problems Build team brainstorming techniques that fight cognitive bias, streamline workplanning, and speed solutions Know when and how to employ modern analytic tools and techniques from machine learning to game theory Learn how to structure and communicate your findings to convince audiences and compel action The secrets revealed in Bulletproof Problem Solving will transform the way you approach problems and take you to the next level of business and personal success.
Develop Your Leadership Skills is John Adair's most accessible title on leadership. Full of exercises and checklists, it will boost your confidence levels and guide and inspire anyone on their journey to becoming a leader of excellence. Acknowledged as a world expert, John Adair offers stimulating insights into recognizing and developing individual leadership qualities, acquiring personal authority and, most importantly, mastering core leadership functions such as planning, communicating and motivating. Suitable for anyone who wishes to improve or develop their leadership skills, this guide distills the essence of John Adair's teaching and provides a framework for becoming an effective leader.
Everyone encounters a wide range of difficulties, mishaps, and obstacles. You can think of a "problem" as anything from a mild irritation - like a sticky keyboard - to a complete disaster that puts your job or even your life at risk.A problem is a question or situation that causes doubt or perplexity, or presents a difficulty. It's something that needs to be corrected or overcome so you can achieve a desired state. A problem often requires a unique or creative solution.In other words, you have a "problem" when you have a goal but can't readily see how to reach it - when you have to think, plan, and devise suitable actions to solve the problem and achieve the goal.Barriers to achieving your goals can vary widely in kind and importance. Your problem might be as small as spilling coffee on your tie right before going into an important business meeting.Or it could be much more serious - say if the laptop your presentation was on got stolen and you didn't have a backup.But if you know just what to do in response to a problem, it's no longer a real problem. This is because there's no doubt or complexity involved for you - the path of action you need to take to achieve your goal is clear.Problems come in two basic varieties. The first is an unexpected disruption to the normal course of things. For example, your supplier fails to deliver crucial items or your car breaks down on your way to a conference. You may or may not know what caused the disruption.The second type is a gap between your current state and a desired state, or goal. If you aren't sure how to bridge that gap, you have a problem.For example, you might want to find ways to meet a new consumer need. Or you might want to improve your own efficiency in terms of managing your time, meeting sales targets, or designing products.Everyone needs to solve problems, from the trivial to the life-threatening, at some point.
Managers and leaders of all levels need to ensure that the best decisions are taken, problems are solved in the optimum way, and the creative ideas and innovations so necessary for tomorrow's business flow freely. Decision Making and Problem Solving Strategies will help you to master the processes of practical thinking which lie behind effective decision making, problem solving and creative thinking. Using checklists, exercises and case studies it explains key concepts such as: how the mind works, the principles of effective thinking, how to develop a framework for decision making, how to use a simple model for making decisions and solving problems, how to sharpen up creative thinking skills and how to develop their thinking skills in the future.
Whether you are a student or a working professional, you can benefit from being better at solving the complex problems that come up in your life. Strategic Thinking in Complex Problem Solving provides a general framework and the necessary tools to help you do so. Based on his groundbreaking course at Rice University, engineer and former strategy consultant Arnaud Chevallier provides practical ways to develop problem solving skills, such as investigating complex questions with issue maps, using logic to promote creativity, leveraging analogical thinking to approach unfamiliar problems, and managing diverse groups to foster innovation. This book breaks down the resolution process into four steps: 1) frame the problem (identifying what needs to be done), 2) diagnose it (identifying why there is a problem, or why it hasn't been solved yet), 3) identify and select potential solutions (identifying how to solve the problem), and 4) implement and monitor the solution (resolving the problem, the 'do'). For each of these four steps - the what, why, how, and do - this book explains techniques that promotes success and demonstrates how to apply them on a case study and in additional examples. The featured case study guides you through the resolution process, illustrates how these concepts apply, and creates a concrete image to facilitate recollection. Strategic Thinking in Complex Problem Solving is a tool kit that integrates knowledge based on both theoretical and empirical evidence from many disciplines, and explains it in accessible terms. As the book guides you through the various stages of solving complex problems, it also provides useful templates so that you can easily apply these approaches to your own personal projects. With this book, you don't just learn about problem solving, but how to actually do it.
Do You Want to Improve Your Problem Solving and Creative Thinking? Do you struggle with solving problems? Would you want to improve your creativity? We have studied some of the best problem solver and creative thinking in the world. Inside we share with you some of their techniques and strategies when it comes to attacking any problems that you may have. After reading this book you will have the tools that will help you solve problems successfully.