Question

Throw light upon stages of problem solving

Hint:

Use the acronym {IDEAL}: Identify, Define, Explore strategies, Act, and Look back/evaluate.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Problem-solving is a cognitive process directed at transforming a given situation into a goal situation when no obvious method of solution is available.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Commonly accepted stages include:
1. Problem Identification: Recognizing that a problem exists and defining what the "gap" is between the current state and the goal.
2. Problem Representation/Definition: Visualizing or organizing information to understand the nature of the problem clearly.
3. Strategy Formulation: Choosing a method such as "Algorithms" (step-by-step) or "Heuristics" (mental shortcuts).
4. Organization of Information: Gathering and prioritizing the resources needed to execute the strategy.
5. Monitoring and Evaluation: Checking progress during the process and judging the final solution to see if it meets the goal.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Problem-solving is a systematic cycle that moves from awareness to analysis, action, and reflection.