Concepts
Techniques
Applications
By Dr. Bill
Published by:
Frugal Booklets,
A Division of FMSI
Portland, OR 97219
Copyright 2009
C 2009, All Rights Reserved
Table of Contents
Topic Page #
Why This Book? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
My Wishes for You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Introduction and Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
I. Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
II. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
III. Decision Making verses Problem Solving: Process Steps. 8
IV. The Pyramid of Wisdom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
V. Nineteen Questions for Problem Solvers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
VI. Manufacturing Information for Problem Solving . . . . . . . 12
VII. Ten Commandments of Problem Solving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
VIII. Problem-Solving Web Sites That Sizzle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
IX. A Problem-Solving Example. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
X. Problem-Solving Exercises and Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
XI. A Problem-Solving Practice Case: Buying a Car . . . . . . . 31
XII. Final Review Questions and Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
XIII. Certificate of Completion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Why This Book?
For 40 years I have observed people in various situations in life – school, work, family, health. I am convinced that one critical skill that separates people is their ability to make and implement quality decisions. My hope is that this book will help people better understand the theoretical and practical issues related to the problem-solving process and to think and analyze before they act. Count to 10, take a deep breath, sleep on it overnight or ask the advice of others. The more important the decision, the more time and effort you should be put into the decision process.
Small improvements in your choices, done many times, over a long period will result in a significant increase in your quality of life and the lives of your family, loved ones and friends. My greatest hope is that this book contributes in some small way to accomplishing that result.
My Wishes for You
My wishes for you as a reader of this book are best put in the lyrics of the song, “Forever Young,” by Bob Dylan. Thank you for your time and effort.
"Forever
Young" with Lyrics by Bob Dylan
May
God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May
you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you
build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you
stay forever young.
…
May
your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May
you have a strong foundation
When
the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may
your song always be sung
May you stay forever young.
About the Author
Dr. Bill, a writing pseudonym, has degrees in engineering, math, finance and management. With a Ph.D. in business, Dr. Bill was a full professor at a major public university. During his 29-year tenure, he taught over 15,000 students, from freshmen to doctoral candidates. He is the author of seven college textbooks. During his career he worked at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria, Illinois as an engineering manager, consulted with banks, breweries, food chains, federal government agencies and retail stores. Dr. Bill worked as a faculty fellow at Boeing in its information technologies group. His educational strategy - "Teach people to work smarter, not harder, by combining education, technology and enjoyment!"
