A Problem Solving Technique

Beginning the process of solving a problem can sometimes be the most difficult part of the process. In many circumstances more information is needed than is available. The painless decision to bypass the tedious process of collecting information is easy to justify. The time required to look closely at all aspects of a problem before recommending a solution is often not available. Problem diagnosis and solutions, however, are often expected readily. 

How then are many problems solved Often they are solved by individuals with experience in facing and resolving similar situations. Even if all of the information required becomes available, conclusions may be difficult to reach unless an experienced eye fits the pieces of information into a realistic picture. 

Obviously, gaining experience in solving problems is not achieved quickly. However, there are techniques which can be used to help focus on the most important components of a problem and to eliminate other factors. 

Described below is a technique taken from the book written by Charles H. Kepner and Benjamin B. Tregoe entitled The New Rational Manager, Princeton Research Press, 1981. This straightforward process of problem analysis is excellent in providing steps to help identify and focus on the vital information needed to identify and solve problems. 

If answers to the above series of questions can be obtained, it is relatively easy to focus in on the actual cause and source of a problem. The strength of the Kepner-Tregoe technique is that it helps to eliminate much of the hearsay information and will fortify the relevant information. 

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Antithetic Analysis. (Synonymous with Retrosynthetic Analysis) A problem-solving technique for transforming the structure of a synthetic target molecule to a sequence of progressively simpler structures along a pathway which ultimately leads to simple or commercially available starting materials for a chemical synthesis. 

Protein chemical modification is a problem-solving technique in research and technology. Modifications also occur in natural deteriorations. Generally these modifications are with the most reactive side chains and are predominantly oxidations, reductions, and nucleophilic and electrophilic substitutions. Deteriorations include peptide bond scissions, racemizations, fi-eliminations, and formation of products by the reaction of proteins with added chemicals. Proteins are modified intentionally for structure-function relationship studies or for development of new and improved products. Although appearing quite varied, the techniques used in pharmacological, food and feed, or other industrial areas differ more operationally than from major differences in the levels of chemical sophistication that are used. 

There are a variety of problem-solving strategies that you will use as you prepare for and take the AP test. Dimensional analysis, sometimes known as the factor label method, is one of the most important of the techniques for you to master. Dimensional analysis is a problem-solving technique that relies on the use of conversion factors to change measurements from one unit to another. It is a very powerful technique but requires careful attention during setup. The conversion factors that are used are equalities between one unit and an equivalent amount of some other unit. In financial terms, we can say that 100 pennies is equal to 1 dollar. While the units of measure are different (pennies and dollars) and the numbers are different (100 and 1), each represents the same amount of money. Therefore, the two are equal. Let s use an example that is more aligned with science. We also know that 100 centimeters are equal to 1 meter. If we express this as an equation, we would write ... 

The plangent call of NMR as a problem-solving technique is well-known in all areas of molecular science. Thus, at first sight, the collection of topics presented in each volume of Annual Reports on NMR Spectroscopy may appear to be a somewhat desultory one. However, taken together, the various volumes of this series seek to provide a fairly comprehensive coverage of advances both in the technique of NMR and in its many applications. 

McKinley, C. (2008) Use of HPTLC as a problem solving technique in pharmaceutical analysis. CAMAG Bibliography Service CBS, 101,13-14. 

Polymer blending may be viewed as a problem solving technique and, in most cases, the reasons for selecting this approach fall into two categories property combinations and cost dilution. Most products succeed because of a beneficial combination or balance of properties rather than because of any single characteristic. In addition, a material must have a favorable benefit to cost relation in order to be selected over other materials for a particular application. 

Accident/near miss incident investigation is a problem-solving technique. Investigation requires management skills. 

Analytical chemistry is a problem-solving science. Independent from the concrete analytical method, the course of action, called analytical process, is always very similar. The analytical process starts with the analytical question on the subject of investigation and forms a closed chain to the answer to the problem. Using a proper sampling technique a test sample is taken that is adequately prepared and then measured. The measured data are evaluated on the basis of a correct calibration and then interpreted with regard to the object under study. 

Due to a lack of understanding in the use of analytical skills, most people resort to disconnected problem solving techniques to analyze their problems in lieu of a structured logical approach. This stems from the fact that we do not give analysts the tools necessary to do their jobs. Simply put, many of today s analysts lack the proper mentoring and training necessary to accomplish the desired result—the elimination of problems. Without these tools these analysts revert to their inherent god-given analytical techniques i.e., inference, perceptions, assumptions, intuition and reports by others. 

In summary, surface area measurements are relatively easy to obtain, and the technique can be applied to a wide variety of pharmaceutical applications. When used in conjunction with other techniques, it is a powerful problem solving technique. 

Chemistry is full of calculations. Our basic goal is to help you develop the knowledge and strategies you need to solve these problems. In this chapter, you will review the Metric system and basic problem solving techniques, such as the Unit Conversion Method. Your textbook or instructor may call this problem solving method by a different name, such as the Factor-Label Method and Dimensional Analysis. Check with your instructor or textbook as to for which SI (Metric) prefixes and SI-English relationships will you be responsible. Finally, be familiar with the operation of your calculator. (A scientific calculator will be the best for chemistry purposes.) Be sure that you can correctly enter a number in scientific notation. It would also help if you set your calculator to display in scientific notation. Refer to your calculator s manual for information about your specific brand and model. Chemistry is not a spectator sport, so you will need to Practice, Practice, Practice. 

We have not attempted to make the computer do the job of auto-r matically finding the fundamental laws of chemistry from a compilation of individual facts. Rather, we have explicitly built into the computer specific models that we believe can represent the structure of chemical information. We were guided in this endeavor by concepts derived by the chemist and have tried to develop models and procedures that quantify these concepts. In doing so we have put more emphasis on the acquisition and representation of knowledge than on problem-solving techniques. In any expert system the quality of the knowledge base is of primary and desicive importance. 

A quality driven laboratoiy is constantly seeking the opportunities for improvement arising when problems are encountered and during problem solving processes. Therefore, problem solving techniques should be applied to all areas of the business and all individuals and groups should be encouraged to use them. 

To establish the relationship between current liquid propellant applications and the available propellant technology, this paper has been divided into three sections. A section on basic propellant considerations describes the normal parameters used to evaluate propellant candidates and their influence on the propulsion system. Although such considerations have been thoroughly discussed in many previous publications (e.g., Ref. 3), their importance in establishing the basic criteria for propellant system selection requires a limited review in this text as a background aid to the reader. Current liquid propellants and propellant candidates are discussed in a second section in terms of capabilities and limitations as well as potential application areas (the compositions of all propellants discussed are defined in the Nomenclature section at the end of this article). Finally, a section of propellant tailoring illustrates examples of propellant formulation and describes propellant problem-solving techniques. In conclusion, the results of these considerations are illustrated by the current liquid propellant systems. 

A basic assumption is that where a set of process considerations has been identified by the process engineer, the resulting design has been carried out accurately and competently. HAZOP looks for situations unrecognised by the designer ( deviations ) and examines whether there may be a hazardous implication. Thus, a HAZOP is NOT a place to carry out design work, a problem solving exercise, or a technique for... 

TRIZ is a problem solving method that was developed by Genrich Altshuller over a forty-year period in the former Soviet Union [C-20], it has many devotees, used in many major companies and there is an on-line journal devoted to the topic [C-21], The acronym is derived from the Russian for Theory of Inventive Problem Solving. It is very different from the other creativity techniques described above, in that it operates via a study of patterns of problems and solutions and not by the spontaneous creativity of individuals and groups. It was based on the analysis of over 1.5 million patents, since extended to 2.8 million, to discover patterns that predict breakthrough solutions to problems. 

The conversion factor problem-solving technique has been used throughout this book, especially in the units on moles and stoichiometry. These problem solutions are generally in a format like this ... 

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