About this Book
“We have met the enemy and he is us.” – Pogo
About this Book
Problems abound in our world. Were it not for problems would there be any reasons for living? Everyone is attempting to solve those problems allocated to us. These problems affect our per¬
sleep. This book is about solving those problems.
This book is not an academic work or thesis on problem solving. It is a practi¬cal guide to problem solving for stu¬dents, professional problem solvers, and for anyone seeking to improve their problem solving skills.
This book focuses on generic problem solving with some emphasis on resolv¬ing problems associated with computer¬ized systems. I can hear it now,“But, I don’t work with computerized systems.”
Think about it. Almost every appliance, vehicle, and other common de¬vice utilizes computers today to perform their functions. If today’s auto¬mobile won’t start, it’s more likely that a sensor or engine control mod¬ule is at fault rather than the vehicle being out of fuel.
The techniques discussed are applicable to a range of problems from the small simple problems, like why did that fuse blow, to much more complex or larger problems, like why did the reactor just shut down.
What this book is not is a detailed troubleshooting guide to any particu¬lar kind of system or hardware. This book centers on understanding the problem solving process and using that understanding to improve your ability to cope with today’s world. This book also goes to great lengths to keep the problem solving process on track and away the problem solver’s black hole. When your mind screams out “There is no way I’m going to solve this problem!” your getting wrapped around the axle, chasing your tail and are about to be accreted into the problem solver’s black hole. We don’t want to go there and this is the guidebook on how to avoid those traps.
How to use this Book
If the problem solving process is of prime importance to the
reader then freely proceed to Part 2. The eight-step problem solving process is described in detail with helpful hints and ideas to as¬sist in identifying faults and finding solutions.
For the novice problem solvers I recommend starting in Part 1. The ba¬sics are discussed along with a variety of topics associated with prob¬lem solving.
