Strategies for Creative Problem Solving

H. Scott Fogler is the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Vennema Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan. His research interests include flow and reaction in porous media, fused chemical relations, gellation kinetics, and chemical reaction engineering problems in the petroleum industry. He has graduated 37 Ph.D. students and has more than 200 refereed publications in these areas. Fogler is the AIChE 2008 President-elect. He has chaired ASEE’s Chemical Engineering Division, served as director of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, earned the Warren K. Lewis Award from AIChE for contributions to chemical engineering education, and received the Chemical Manufacturers Association’s National Catalyst Award. He is the author of the classic Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Fourth Edition (Prentice Hall, 2006).   Steven E. LeBlanc is Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Toledo. He chaired the Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department for ten years, chaired the ASEE Chemical Engineering Education Division, and co-chaired the 2007 ASEE Chemical Engineering Summer School for Faculty.

Preface  xi

 

Chapter 1: Problem-Solving Strategies: Why Bother?  1

 

What’s the Real Problem?  1

Correct Problem Definition/Wrong Solution  6

A Heuristic for Successful Problem Solving  9

Summary  11

CD-ROM Material  11

References  13

Exercises  14

Further Reading  14

 

Chapter 2: The Characteristics, Attitudes, and Environment Necessary for  Effective Problem Solving             15

 

Getting in the Right Frame of Mind  15

Having a Vision  23

Working Together in Teams  25

Conflict Resolution  31

Team Decisions  33

Summary  34

CD-ROM Material  35

References  35

Exercises  36

Further Reading  39

 

Chapter 3: Gathering Information on the Problem  41

 

The First Four Steps  41

Summary  49

CD-ROM Material  49

References  49

Exercises  49

 

Chapter 4: Problem Definition  51

 

Defining the Real Problem: Four Techniques  51

Technique 1: Finding Out Where the Problem Came From  52

Technique 2: Using the Present State/Desired State and the Duncker Diagram to Define the Real Problem  58

Technique 3: Using the Statement—Restatement Technique  63

Technique 4: Kepner—Tregoe Problem Analysis  68

Which Technique to Choose?  72

Determine Whether the Problem Should Be Solved  74

Brainstorm Potential Causes and Solution Alternatives  75

Summary  76

CD-ROM Material  76

References  78

Exercises  78

Further Reading  88

Appendix: Questions for a Socratic Dialog  89

 

Chapter 5: Breaking Down the Barriers to Generating Ideas  93

 

Recognizing Mental Blocks  94

Blockbusting  99

Improving Your Creative Abilities  100

Risk Taking  104

Summary  110

CD-ROM Material  110

References  111

Exercises  111

Further Reading  114

 

Chapter 6: Generating Solutions  115

 

Brainstorming  115

Free Association  116

Vertical Thinking  118

Lateral Thinking  120

Futuring  122

Organizing Brainstorming Ideas: The Fishbone Diagram  124

Brainwriting  126

Analogy and Cross-Fertilization  127

Incubating Ideas  130

TRIZ  131

Summary  138

CD-ROM Material  138

References  140

Exercises  140

Further Reading  143

 

Chapter 7: Deciding the Course of Action  145

 

K.T. Situation Appraisal  146

K.T. Problem Analysis  151

K.T. Decision Analysis  151

Adverse Consequences of the Alternative Solutions  155

K.T. Potential Problem Analysis  163

Summary  168

CD-ROM Material  169

References  170

Exercises  170

Further Reading  178

 

Chapter 8: Implementing the Solution  179

 

Approval  179

Planning  180

Carry Through  185

Follow Up  187

Experimental Projects  187

Summary  194

CD-ROM Material  195

References  195

Exercises  196

Further Reading  198

 

Chapter 9: Evaluation  199

 

General Guidelines  199

Ethical Considerations  203

Safety Considerations  209

Summary  210

CD-ROM Material  210

References  211

Exercises  211

Further Reading  219

 

Chapter 10: Troubleshooting  221

 

Some General Guidelines  221

Early Morning Shivers: An Example of Troubleshooting  226

Technical Troubleshooting Exercise  230

Interactive Computing Module on Troubleshooting  237

Troubleshooting Laboratory Equipment  239

Summary  240

CD-ROM Material  240

References  240

Exercises  241

 

Chapter 11: Putting It All Together  245

 

Case Study 1: Generating Sustainable Power for an

Case Study 2: Problems at the Bakery Café  256

Summary  270

CD-ROM Material  271

Instructor’s Manual  271

References  271

Exercises  271

 

Appendix 1: McMaster’s Five-Point Strategy  273

 

Appendix 2: Plotting Data  275

 

Index   293

About the Authors       301