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EARNING
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EARN
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ECOMING
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ELF
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XPERIENCE
6: M
ETHODOLOGIES
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NLOCKING
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NOWLEDGE
READING
Step 9—Generalize the Solution
A solution to a problem becomes much more valuable and useful when it can be generalized and applied to
many different situations rather than being limited to one unique situation. By making modifications and
adaptations to the solution, you can make it such that the solution will work for other people as well as for
yourself. You can save yourself a great deal of time and effort in the future by using (previously solved)
generalized problem solutions in applicable situations.
Evelyn realized there was a piece of information she had forgotten to include in her job seeking
equation: what if the computer industry takes a downturn and her husband was out of work over
the summer? Evelyn knew once she was on a temporary agency’s roster, she could always seek
work through that agency later. This gave her one more reason to go through an agency.
Step 10—Communicate the Solution
Inmany situations, youmust communicate your solution(s) and the processes used to arrive at the solution(s)
to an audience. It is important that solutions to problems be effectively and persuasively communicated.
Otherwise, the value of the solution and all the work associated with it are diminished or even dismissed.
You want your oral and/or written communication to include the significance of the problem, assumptions
that have been made and tested, that you have examined possible solutions, and the rationale for your final
recommendations and conclusions.
That night after the children were in bed, Evelyn sat down with her husband and explained her
thinking, showing him the various steps in the Problem Solving Methodology. He was supportive
and impressed and planned to use the methodology himself as he continued to search for work.
The Problem Solving Methodology is serving Evelyn very well; she’s successfully solved a pretty
important problem and is feeling good about starting to apply what she’s learned to her larger problem of
choosing a major and career path. She was surprised to find that the same methodology worked equally
well on other kinds of problems.
Problem Solving Example: Picking Pizzas
Evelyn and her nephew, Chuck, are going out for pizza to celebrate his
excellent performance in college last semester. This time around, Chuck is
treating. Chuck knows that one small pizza will not be enough for the two of
them. The menu at their favorite place, Angelo’s, lists three sizes: the small for
$5, the medium for $8 and the large for $11. The small pizza has six slices, and the
medium and large pizzas each have eight slices.
Chuck has $25 on him, and he doesn’t mind taking home the leftovers for tomorrow’s
breakfast. The small pizza is 8 inches in diameter, the medium is 12 inches in diameter,
and the large has a 16 inch diameter. Using these facts, which choice gives the most
pizza for the money? Chuck is a finance major and really enjoys this kind of problem
solving. Evelyn isn’t so sure but watches closely as Chuck uses the methodology.
Step
Explanation
1 Define the problem
Chuck and Evelyn want to find the best pizza purchase for the money.