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Q
uantitative
R
easoning &
P
roblem
S
olving
164
© 2014 Pacific Crest
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Making implicit assumptions and not identifying the critical ones
Example
: In the previous example (the Easter Dinner), social convention determines who
arranges for what. You assumed that since you invited them, they would bring wine
or other beverages. That’s what most people do, after all. You therefore only bought
club soda, some mineral water, and sparkling cider. But when they showed up, one
family brought appetizers, another had a lovely flan with them, and the third family
brought a centerpiece.
Why?
When we think that we have a solution but made an assumption which we did not
clarify and test, many unforeseen things may happen and the “solution” may not
actually be one. In this case, the real-time dynamics now became a problem: not so
big a deal with the appetizer — the more the merrier on veggies and dip, after all,
but dessert is a problem. The flan doesn’t save well and the strawberry shortcake
you made will be too soggy to eat by tomorrow. And the centerpiece? You went all
out and bought one from a florist and it really is gorgeous. Theirs looks a bit sad in
comparison. And now you’re flustered and trying to save everyone’s feelings but you
can tell that your neighbors are feeling embarrassed and more than a little useless.
This may not go down in the record books as an all-time great dinner party.
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When finishing the design of a solution, not taking the time to test and validate that solution
Example
: Jake had decided to turn half of his storage space into a training room. He carefully
calculated square footage and determined what equipment would make the most
efficient use of the space, while allowing him to do the working out and training he
wanted (not an easy problem to solve and one requiring the integration of multiple
sub-problems). He eventually settled on free weights, an elliptical trainer, and a
punching bag that would hang from the ceiling (a stand for the bag required too much
space). He purchased each of these pieces of equipment at great prices at different no-
refund sales. It was only when he began installing the equipment that Jake realized
his error. He began to ask his friends if any of them were interested in buying an
elliptical trainer or punching bag.
Why?
Jake had considered square footage of the space, but not the vertical space needed
for the elliptical trainer — the ceiling was far too low for it to be used by any but a
short child. He had also failed to consider whether or not the ceiling contained a beam
strong enough to hold the punching bag. It did not, nor could it easily be strengthened
enough, without lowering the ceiling even further.
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explain how each step of the Problem
Solving Methodology strengthens the
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