PLEASE NOTE:   The URLs are not active links.  To access the sources, you will need to cut-and-paste the URL into your browser.  This will take you to the selected reading. 

Creative Problem Solving:  6 Obstacles to Creative Thinking and How to Overcome Them:  Develop Problem Solving Skills for Business Success. Brian Tracy International Business Blog.  Accessed on July 31, 2015 at https://tinyurl.com/kuhocpv

Hereford, Z.  How to Think Critically and Problem Solve.  Essential Life Skills.  Accessed on July 31, 2015 at http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/thinkcritically.html

In this Module 4 Case Assignment you will build upon the Problem Scoping analysis you prepared in your Module 3 SLP assignment by:

1. Developing three alternative solutions that address the problem definition and criteria that you identified.

2. Comparing the pros and cons of those three alternatives.

3. Selecting the best alternative.

4. Developing a logical argument to support your choice.

You will apply these same analytic skills throughout your health sciences program, and they will serve you very well in your professional life.

Case Assignment

Use the Evaluate Alternative Solutions Template to complete your Case Assignment.

Note: Developing alternative solutions is essentially a brainstorming process. What can you do to solve the problem? That is an alternative. Proposed alternatives should be consistent with the problem(s) that you identified in your Module 3 SLP assignment.

Developing a list of good alternatives involves creativity and avoiding preconceived attitudes (knee-jerk solutions) and assumptions. Guidelines for alternative development include:

1. DON’T SETTLE FOR YOUR FIRST IDEA!

2. Good designers try to generate as many possible solutions as they can before choosing one that they feel is the best. This creative process of developing ideas is called ideation.

3. Methods of ideation include:

a. Examine existing solutions

b. Conduct brainstorming sessions. Remember the first rule of brainstorming – every idea is a viable one.

c. Develop as many alternatives as possible. When you are done, try to categorize your alternatives. Then develop three alternatives.

d. Sketching and doodling to create pictures of possible solutions.