Project Based Problem Solving and Decision Making

3Understanding the Problem

3.0 The Definition of a Problem

To understand problem-solving, we must first understand what is meant by a problem. A problem is a deviation between an actual and desired situation. It is an obstacle, impediment, difficulty, challenge, or any situation that invites resolution; the resolution of which is recognized as a solution or contribution toward a known purpose or goal. The problem could be to add something that is currently absent but desired, to remove something that is potentially bad, or to correct something that is not performing as expected. Therefore, problems can be formulated in a positive or negative manner. Problems are formulated in a positive manner if the problem is to determine how to take advantage of an opportunity.

We tend to identify alternatives as being good or bad choices. If the decision-maker has all the alternatives labeled as good or bad, then the job of the decision-maker or project manager would be easy. Unfortunately, a problem implies that there exists doubt or uncertainty, or else a problem would not exist. This uncertainty can happen on all projects and therefore makes it difficult to classify all alternatives as only good or bad.

Some problems must be resolved, whereas other problems may be able to be delayed and then resolved sometime in the future. Some problems are “good” problems because the objective is to take advantage of an opportunity.

3.1 The Time Needed to Identify a Problem

One of the critical issues ...