Talk:Problem solving

message: There are a huge number of "references" that have no citation in the text. I recommend we delete them all, keeping only those directly associated with a specific citation. -DoctorW 07:46, 14 January 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: Many of them are being used as reference, they're just formatted unexpectedly.  I think the first step is to reformat all the Problem_solving#Reference-(NAME) references with <ref> formatting. --Ronz (talk) 17:18, 14 January 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: Here's an example of how to reference them .  I copied the wikicite-formatted information from the References section into ref formatting, naming the reference for future use. --Ronz (talk) 20:19, 19 February 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  Reference farm 

message: I really think there should be information about problem solving as it relates to non-human species. This is supposed to be an article about "problem solving," not simply "human problem solving."
IMO there should be a summary of this current page, while the full contents should be moved to a new article named something like "Problem solving capability of humans." New sections should then be added to this article about problem solving as it relates to non-human life in general.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.10.191.192 (talk) 10:08, 26 February 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  Why only people? 

message: analyse world problems: choose an operation 
to choose an operation for a problem, think about the action taking place...  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.51.29.227 (talk) 14:21, 1 November 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  ,,,, 

message: A lot of the 33 techniques listed are actually the same or very similar, and one of the techniques is actually another list of techniques that seems to be focused on engineering/science rather than the general principle of solving a problem. And I seriously doubt that the 'WWXXD' method is either useful or practical -- I mean seriously, when has 'What Would Chuck Norris Do' ever solved a problem, let alone a real one?
I suggest that techniques be grouped into types, e.g. general, mathematical, logical, with AI, etc. Ideally, each item should link to another article and there should be no repeated items.
--Sg gower (talk) 04:04, 3 December 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: Strong agree. All what you say. Will you do the changes? BertSeghers (talk) 00:12, 9 January 2010 (UTC)
replies: text: I've made some changes. Most notably, I've just about halved the number of items in the list... Anything that was repeated or didn't have a corresponding article is gone. I've also split the section up into 'problem-solving techniques' and 'problem-solving methodologies', as the things that I am now calling methodologies used other or combinations of techniques rather than something different. Since there are now so few things on the list, it no longer seems apt to subdivide it into general, mathematical, etc. Tomorrow, I intend to slim down the extensive 'see also' section. Some things already linked to in previous sections are also there (like TRIZ and Reduction), and I'm sure some of things in that list belong in techniques or methodologies instead. SG Gower (talk) 22:39, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

text: I've made all the changes that were really bugging me (more than halved 'see also'), but this article still could use some work. SG Gower (talk) 22:01, 12 January 2010 (UTC)
thread_title:  'Problem Solving Techniques' needs refinement 

message: It has occurred to me that 'Europe' and ' USA and Canada' should be sub-headings of 'Overview', as really they are extensions of the overview. Before making the change, I'd like to see what others think. --SG Gower (talk) 22:03, 5 April 2010 (UTC)
replies: text: This is done, Overview is also renamed to History of the field. --Aleksd (talk) 16:00, 28 January 2012 (UTC)
thread_title:  Changing heading levels 

message: There are a few grammatical errors at the end of the section entitled "Computer science and algorithmics". These petty errors should be fixed speedily. There are also no references for this section.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.44.119.89 (talk) 23:56, 7 April 2014 (UTC)
thread_title:  Grammatical errors in "Computer Science and alogorithmics" along with a lack of references. 

message: Should this redirect here? --Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| reply here 05:07, 26 February 2015 (UTC)
thread_title:  [[Theory of problem solving]] 

message: What do you think about a new section (or even article?) "Collective problem solving"?
It could feature relevant content from Collective intelligence.
It's relatively broad - just as the topic of "Problem solving" and could feature broad and diverse content on the topic of societal problem solving and other forms of collective problem solving...
Could anybody help out with it?
--Fixuture (talk) 15:11, 4 January 2017 (UTC)
replies: text: "Collective problem solving" sounds interesting, but also note the section titles "Computer science and algorithmics", "Engineering", and "Military science", which are all collective endeavors. And some of the methods listed in the section titled "Problem-solving methods" are used in collective problem solving, no doubt. Before creating an article titled "Collective problem solving" you would need to be prepared to prove that the topic is sufficiently notable to merit an article separate from this one. For example, I created the article on problem structuring methods, and I am confident that that topic meets the general notability guidelines. Notability is less of an issue for a new section. Biogeographist (talk) 18:27, 4 January 2017 (UTC)
replies: text:  Thanks for your reply. However, I could not find any content on collective problem solving in any of the three sections you named. There are many things that the section might cover, including crowdsourcing and from a quick research it looks like it meets WP:N. --Fixuture (talk) 18:48, 4 January 2017 (UTC)
replies: text:  I meant that computer science, engineering, and military science are all collective endeavors (not just the work of one person), and so could be considered examples of collective problem solving in general. I didn't intend to imply that those sections would substitute for a section on "collective problem solving", only that they are related. If you think you have enough content for a new section, be bold and start it. You may not get a lot of help, as this article doesn't appear to receive much attention. This article and the article on decision-making share, I think, the similar problem of applying to such a large range of behavior and areas of study that both articles are rather diffuse and neglected (in need of intensive attention from multiple experts but perhaps unlikely to receive it). Biogeographist (talk) 20:30, 4 January 2017 (UTC)
thread_title:  Section "Collective problem solving"? 

message: Following the problem-solving methods, I think it would be helpful to add a short section about Problem structuring methods. Problem-solving is a broad topic, and not all problem-solving methods are valid/useful/possible in a given problem space. The Cynefin framework is an example of a tool to help problem-solvers determine what methods they can use. It would useful if we can research more PSMs apart from the Cynefin framework and expand on existing references given in the PSM wiki page (i.e. 'soft systems methodology, the strategic choice approach, and strategic options development and analysis (SODA)'). LithiumEnergy (talk) 09:49, 24 April 2018 (UTC)
replies: text: I created the article on PSMs. I am not sure that inserting a section about PSMs would help this article; the article has more serious issues that need to be addressed. I consider the Cynefin framework to be not a PSM but an aid to decide (among other things) when to use PSMs. There is a link in this article's See also section to the article on PSMs. In the most recent edit I added Template:See also links to :Category:Problem solving skills, :Category:Problem solving methods, :Category:Problem structuring methods. Biogeographist (talk) 17:06, 24 April 2018 (UTC)
replies: text: Also, there is no mention of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_planning in the problem-solving article, although they're both closely related! Oliver siegel (talk) 22:07, 19 October 2022 (UTC)
thread_title:  Problem structuring methods (PSMs) section 

message: collaborative p. s. adds nothing in terms of new insights or different perspectives. if collective p. s. is not collaborative, what is? -- Kku (talk) 13:16, 10 August 2018 (UTC)
replies: text: Klbrain (talk) 21:02, 1 January 2020 (UTC)
thread_title:  merge from [[collaborative problem-solving]]: proposal 

message: This article fails to distinguish between descriptive studies of problem solving in psychology and prescriptive studies in other disciplines. Logperson (talk) 08:48, 11 June 2019 (UTC)
thread_title:  Descriptive versus prescriptive problem solving methods 

message: The definition of the word problem solving is the process or act of finding a solution to a problem. 
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/problem-solving
Under the section DEFINITION it states the following:
The term problem solving means slightly different things depending on the discipline. For instance, it is a mental process in psychology and a computerized process in computer science. There are two different types of problems, ill-defined and well-defined: different approaches are used for each. Well-defined problems have specific goals and clear expected solutions, while ill-defined problems do not. Well-defined problems allow for more initial planning than ill-defined problems.[1] Solving problems sometimes involves dealing with pragmatics, the way that context contributes to meaning, and semantics, the interpretation of the problem. The ability to understand what the goal of the problem is, and what rules could be applied, represents the key to solving the problem. Sometimes the problem requires abstract thinking or coming up with a creative solution.
There is a clear inconsistency in the true definition of the word and the definition shared on this page. 
With regard to the inconsistent and false definition of the word PROBLEM SOLVING 
I agree that the word problem solving means something different to different people but that does not mean the definition of the WORD is different. 
THEREFOR, the Top section, should begin with the definition of the term. And the definition of the word problem solving should stay true to the true definition. 
Problem solving is the process or act of finding a solution to a problem. 
Next, the section below should STATE
PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS 
The Problem Solving process consists of a sequence of sections that fit together depending on the type of problem to be solved. These are:
Problem Definition.
Problem Analysis.
Generating possible Solutions.
Analyzing the Solutions.
Selecting the best Solution(s).
Planning the next course of action (Next Steps)  — Preceding unsigned comment added by StarkeSolutions (talk • contribs) 20:59, 20 August 2019 (UTC)
thread_title:  RELEVANCY  

message: Problem solving is such a broad topic. It can involve a number of things and subtopics. There either needs to be better organization of the sections, or this page should focus solely on cognitive psychology/human problem solving. That would make this article, better and more clear. Having less topics in each section will bring clarity.
The lead includes many different techniques to problem solving, such as, philosophy or medicine, but then they are hardly mentioned at all in the rest of the article. They could be added if they do support the topic, but otherwise it is better off to rewrite the lead. The focus is to write about what is mentioned in the rest of the article. Otherwise it may cause confusion for readers. The lead can also include how the article mentions specifically the definition, strategies, etc. There can be references to other methods of problem solving, but make it breif. 
I don't see the need to add the military science, engineering, and computer science as part of the definition. Military science wasn't even mentioned in the lead. All these changes I suggest only enhance the article. --Aheuer15 (talk) 20:26, 29 January 2020 (UTC)
replies: text: I agree! Also, there is no mention of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_planning which is closely related, especially in methodologies. Oliver siegel (talk) 22:08, 19 October 2022 (UTC)
thread_title:  Organization and Clarity 

message: I tried to make an edit to list it as a problem-solving method, but it got rejected. Not sure why! 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Problem_Solver Oliver siegel (talk) 23:14, 19 October 2022 (UTC)
replies: text: You added a link to Global Positioning System, not that article. I removed it rather than fixing the link because I do not believe that adding a link to an obsolete software program from 1959 is an improvement to this article. MrOllie (talk) 00:00, 20 October 2022 (UTC)
thread_title:  "General Problem Solver" is not mentioned as a method 

message: — Assignment last updated by Emily1Sandoval (talk) 20:25, 6 April 2023 (UTC)
thread_title: Wiki Education assignment: Human Cognition SP23