How to Identify How to Identify Challenges IChallenges I

Future Problem Solving TrainingFuture Problem Solving Training

How Can You Become More How Can You Become More Creative?Creative?

By Learning SkillsBy Learning Skills

And Practicing ThemAnd Practicing Them

The First Step in FPSThe First Step in FPS In Math you are given a In Math you are given a

Problem and asked to Problem and asked to find a Solution.find a Solution.

In FPS you are given a In FPS you are given a Situation and asked to Situation and asked to find the Problems.find the Problems.

The FPS word for The FPS word for Problem is Challenge. Problem is Challenge. The FPS word for The FPS word for Situation is Scene.Situation is Scene.

Finding many Challenges Finding many Challenges in an FPS Scene is the in an FPS Scene is the first step. first step.

The First Step in FPSThe First Step in FPS

You will want to read You will want to read FPS Scenes with FPS Scenes with paper and a pencil paper and a pencil ready to catch all of ready to catch all of your ideas.your ideas.

The First Step in FPSThe First Step in FPS

There are 5 more steps to FPS but I want you to get There are 5 more steps to FPS but I want you to get really good at Finding Challenges before we go on.really good at Finding Challenges before we go on.

(Be sure your Challenges aren’t really Solutions: #3.) (Be sure your Challenges aren’t really Solutions: #3.)

The six-step Future Problem Solving model:1. Identify Challenges in the Future Scene

2. Select an Underlying Problem3. Produce Solution Ideas to the Underlying Problem

4. Generate and Select Criteria to Evaluate Solution Ideas5. Apply Criteria to Solution Ideas

6. Develop an Action Planhttp://www.fpsp.org/

The First Step in FPSThe First Step in FPS

FPS Scenes are usually pretty detailed.FPS Scenes are usually pretty detailed.

To get good practice at quickly finding To get good practice at quickly finding challenges, let’s start with some Newspaper challenges, let’s start with some Newspaper Headlines from Aug. 15 in USA Today Headlines from Aug. 15 in USA Today

Don’t worry if you are not sure about the issues. Don’t worry if you are not sure about the issues. Just be able to justify your work according to Just be able to justify your work according to what you think they are. what you think they are.

Find 5 Challenges For this Find 5 Challenges For this Newspaper HeadlineNewspaper Headline

NASA orders shuttle NASA orders shuttle astronauts to cut astronauts to cut spacewalk short spacewalk short

1.1.

2.2.

3.3.

4.4.

5.5.

Here are my 5 ChallengesHere are my 5 Challenges

NASA orders shuttle NASA orders shuttle astronauts to cut spacewalk astronauts to cut spacewalk short short

1.1. Too little time, too much Too little time, too much to doto do

2.2. NASA is too bossyNASA is too bossy

3.3. Astronauts enjoy long Astronauts enjoy long space walksspace walks

4.4. Shuttles are too smallShuttles are too small

5.5. Spacewalking is Spacewalking is dangerousdangerous

Find 1 Solution for each Challenge Find 1 Solution for each Challenge

1.1. Too little time, too much Too little time, too much to doto do

2.2. NASA is too bossyNASA is too bossy

3.3. Astronauts enjoy long Astronauts enjoy long space walksspace walks

4.4. Shuttles are too smallShuttles are too small

5.5. Spacewalking is Spacewalking is dangerousdangerous

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Here are my SolutionsHere are my Solutions1.1. There is too much to do… Give them fewer tasks There is too much to do… Give them fewer tasks

2.2. NASA is too bossy…Arrange for better training for NASA is too bossy…Arrange for better training for NASA bossesNASA bosses

3.3. Astronauts enjoy long space walks… Make space Astronauts enjoy long space walks… Make space suits uncomfortablesuits uncomfortable

4.4. Shuttles are too small…Make shuttles largerShuttles are too small…Make shuttles larger

5.5. Spacewalking is dangerous... Take space guns Spacewalking is dangerous... Take space guns alongalong

1.1. There is too much to do… Give them fewer tasks There is too much to do… Give them fewer tasks

2.2. NASA is too bossy…Arrange for better boss training NASA is too bossy…Arrange for better boss training

3.3. Astronauts enjoy long space walks… Make space suits Astronauts enjoy long space walks… Make space suits uncomfortableuncomfortable

4.4. Shuttles are too small…Make shuttles largerShuttles are too small…Make shuttles larger

5.5. Spacewalking is dangerous... Take space guns alongSpacewalking is dangerous... Take space guns along

Can you see how each answer only makes sense for the challenge it addresses?

Which Challenge do you think NASA would take seriously?

USA TodayUSA Today

You can go to this site to see what the real You can go to this site to see what the real problem was: problem was: USA Today ArticleUSA Today Article

Find 5 Challenges for this HeadlineFind 5 Challenges for this Headline

3 pygmy whales beached in South Carolina3 pygmy whales beached in South Carolina

1.1.

2.2.

3.3.

4.4.

5.5.

See if you can find 3 challenges for See if you can find 3 challenges for each of these headlines.each of these headlines.

A.A. Indiana State Fair Indiana State Fair bans trans fatsbans trans fats

B.B. Tropical Storm Erin Tropical Storm Erin forms in Gulf forms in Gulf

C.C. Home sales off 11% Home sales off 11% but prices show but prices show positive signs positive signs

A. 1.A. 1. 2. 2. 3.3.

B 1. B 1. 2. 2. 3.3.

C. 1.C. 1. 2.2. 3.3.

The First Step in FPSThe First Step in FPS

For more practice, pick up today’s For more practice, pick up today’s Times-News. Times-News.

Choose an interesting Headline, perhaps Choose an interesting Headline, perhaps one that you know a little about.one that you know a little about.

See if you can find 5 Challenges for that See if you can find 5 Challenges for that Headline. Headline.

You are on your way to You are on your way to Many great Ideas!Many great Ideas!