Strategies for Creative Problem Solving

H. Scott Fogler is the Vennema Professor of Chemical Engineering and Thurnau Professor at the University of Michigan, and a past president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He has chaired ASEE's Chemical Engineering Division and earned the Warren K. Lewis Award from AIChE for contributions to chemical engineering education and the 2010 Malcom E. Pruitt Award from the Council for Chemical Research. He is the author of the classic Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Fourth Edition (Prentice Hall, 2006), and Essentials of Chemical Reaction Engineering (Prentice Hall, 2011).  Steven E. LeBlanc is executive associate dean for academic affairs and professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Toledo. He has served as the chairman of the ASEE Chemical Engineering Division and as a co-chair of the 2007 ASEE Chemical Engineering Summer School for Faculty.  Benjamin R. Rizzo is a chemical engineering graduate of the University of Michigan and currently is a production engineer for Shell Oil, working on Unconventional Reservoir Optimization.

• Preface xiiiAcknowledgments xixAbout the Authors xxi  Chapter 1: Problem-Solving Strategies: Why Bother? 1What's the Real Problem? 1Correct Problem Definition/Wrong Solution 7A Heuristic for Successful Problem Solving 8Summary 11Web-Site Material 11References 13Exercises 13Further Reading 15  Chapter 2: The Characteristics, Attitudes, and Environment Necessary for Effective Problem Solving 17Getting in the Right Frame of Mind 18Having a Vision 22Working Together in Teams 26Responding to Criticism 30Conflict Resolution 32Summary 34Web-Site Material 35References 37Exercises 37Further Reading 40  Chapter 3: Skills Necessary for Effective Problem Solving 41Critical Thinking 41Summary 63Web-Site Material 64References 65Exercises 65Further Reading 73  Chapter 4: First Steps 75The First Four Steps 76Summary 90Web-Site Material 90Reference 91Exercises 91  Chapter 5: Problem Definition 93Defining the Real Problem: Four Techniques 93Technique 1: Using the Duncker Diagram to Define the Real Problem 94Technique 2: Using the Statement-Restatement Technique 98Technique 3: Kepner-Tregoe Problem Analysis 103Which Technique to Choose? 109Determine Whether the Problem should be Solved 109Brainstorm Potential Causes and Solution Alternatives 111Summary 111Web-Site Material 112References 113Exercises 113Further Reading 125  Chapter 6: Breaking Down the Barriers to Generating Ideas 127Recognizing Mental Blocks 129Improving Your Creative Abilities 133Risk Taking 135Summary 141Web-Site Material 142References 142Exercises 143Further Reading 145  Chapter 7: Generating Solutions 147Brainstorming 147Free Association 148Vertical Thinking 149Lateral Thinking 154Organizing Brainstorming Ideas: The Fishbone Diagram 157Cautions 159Brainwriting 159Futuring 159Cross-Fertilization 162Analogy 165Incubating Ideas 167Triz 168Use The Defect to Solve The Problem 177Summary 179Web-Site Material 179References 180Exercises 181Further Reading 185  Chapter 8: Deciding the Course of Action 187K.T. Situation Appraisal 188K.T. Problem Analysis 194K.T. Decision Analysis 194Adverse Consequences of the Alternative Solutions 198K.T. Potential Problem Analysis 208Summary 214Web-Site Material 215References 215Exercises 215Further Reading 227  Chapter 9: Implementing the Solution 229Approval 229Carry Through 241Follow Up 242Goal Setting 244Summary 244Web-Site Material 245References 246Exercises 246Further Reading 247  Chapter 10: Evaluation 249General Guidelines 249Ethical Evaluation 253Safety Considerations 260Summary 260Web-Site Material 261References 261Exercises 261Further Reading 270  Chapter 11: Troubleshooting 271Some General Guidelines 271Technical Troubleshooting Exercises 280Interactive Computing Module on Troubleshooting 292Troubleshooting Laboratory Equipment 294Summary 295Web-Site Materia