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FUTURE PROBLEM SOLVING

Addressing Global Issues Using 6 Problem Solving Steps

A Future Scene is a one page scenario based on your current research topic. It should be read carefully and be prepared to read sections over. You will refer to this "story" as you work on your FPS 6-Steps.

 

Some helpful tips when reading a Future Scene: 

Check your understanding of the scenario. Discuss the story with your teammates. Make sure you don't "make up" ideas that aren't actually included in the story.

 

Stay focused on your topic. Use a highlighter to find key ideas and challenges. Don't be afraid to circle, underline, or make notes on your future scene

 

Make sure you know where and when (year) your future scene takes place.

 

Consider the "Charge" - Discuss the charge with your team. What is the charge asking you to focus on? This is especially important in Step 2!

The Future Problem Solving program is a well-acclaimed program with over

250,000 students participating from around the world. Students work together in small teams investigating real world global issues with an emphasis on anticipating and solving problems that may occur. Teams will have the opportunity to demonstrate problem-solving skills by addressing each global issue they have researched using the 6-step process listed below. Click here for a printable PowerPoint of all 6 FPS Steps.

1. Challenges

The key objective in this step is to identify challenges (problems) based on the Future Scene. A challenge is an problem or concern in the future scene that needs attention or consideration. Use your knowledge of your current topic (such as ideas from the overview, articles, or other research) develop challenges related to the Future Scene. The goal is 16 well-written challenges.

 

Key points:

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1. Each challenge MUST relate to the Future Scene and the charge. Extra readings and research are useful in developing more creative ideas but make sure you don't get off topic!

2. Always use words like "may" or "might" since the Future Scene issues are in the future. We don't know if

it will happen.

3. Write problems in statement form making sure to write the CAUSE (a fact from the future scene), EFFECT, and CONSEQUENCE.

4. Remember the more original you are in your ideas and the more categories you can use the better score you

are likely to get!

 

Sample Step 1:

 

Topic - Cultural Prejudice

(Cause) Some people may have little or no education about other cultures and their traditions. (Consequence) This may lead certain cultures to commit hate crimes against another (Effect) because they do not understand their traditions and feel threatened by that culture.

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Topic - Fundraising and Charity Giving

(Cause) If the Rosen Foundation spends too much money on administrative costs instead of distributing their money among their qualified charities, (Effect) they may be portrayed negatively by the media. (Consequence) This would cause communication problems among the foundation and donors, hurting their fundraising efforts.

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*look back at "Process Pointers" if you need some direction of how to write a challenge

challenges

2. underlying problem

This step may be considered the most important of the 6 stepsIn this step you must choose a problem (underlying problem)  from the list you have generated in Step I that you think is very important and would like to solve. Remember to choose a problem that will focus on one idea that you can find many good solutions for. Make sure you have chosen a problem that clearly relates to the CHARGE in the  future scene. Remember not to just restate the problem from the Future Scene...use your own words and ideas.

 

Make sure to use the five components when writing up at Step II statement:

 

1. Condition Phase - Describe the situation/problem that you have chosen. Make sure you are focusing on one idea...using "and" is probably not a good idea in this statement.

2. Stem - "How might we..." or "In what ways might we..."

3. KVPKey verb phrase - This is one strong action verb that describes your goal  (examples: increase, decrease, encourage,...) You DO NOT want to use definite terms such as: Stop or solve.

4. Purpose - This portion of the Step II statement tells why you want to solve the problem you have chosen...it often starts with the words "so that..." ! (Parameters)

5. Parameters - Don't forget to add TIME, PLACE, and TOPIC!!

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Sample Step II

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Topic - Fundraising and Charity Giving

The Rosen Foundation (who) may spend too much money on administrative costs and not enough on their fundraising efforts in New York (place), resulting in a negative portrayal of the foundation by the media. (condition phrase) How might we (stem) improve (KVP)the system that the foundation uses for distributing their money so that people will continue to donate to the qualified charities (purpose) in 2032 (time) and beyond?

underlying

3. SOLUTIONS

In this step you will be creating solution ideas that solve the UNDERLYING PROBLEM only. You are NOT

solving every problem from Step I. Each solution must be relevant to both the KVP and the PURPOSE you have chosen in your Step II Underlying Problem. Solutions must also relate to the Future Scene and relate to the Condition Phrase. 

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Key Points: Is my Solution Relevant? Elaborated? Did I use a variety of categories? Is my idea original?

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1. WHO will develop/implement this solution?

2. WHAT is the solution? (Include a description/name)

3. HOW will the solution work? (How does this solution solve the chosen problem?)

4. WHY is this solution is being done? How does it address the KVP? (make sure this relates to your Step II Problem)

5. WHY does this solution support your PURPOSE from Step II? 

 

Sample Step III

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Topic - Fundraising and Charity Giving

(Who) The Rosen Foundation's owner (What)will appoint a treasurer to keep track of all the money the Rosen Foundation gains and where it is spent (How) by creating a log book of all money transactions that occur over every quarter of the year (time). (Why) This is done so that the foundation will be able to check the log books and (Why) make sure that the appropriate amount of money is being spent on costs and the rest will go to the necessary charities 

solutions

4. SELECT CRITERIA

Generating good criteria (or questions) will help in finding the best solution. Criteria are 5 questions that evaluate your solution ideas so that you may compare each idea later to see how relevant a solution is.

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Key Points:

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1. Address only ONE concern in each criteria (example: Do you want to measure the cost of something, how well it

will be accepted, etc.)

2. Do NOT use the word "and"

3. Start each question with "Which solution will..."(WSW)

4. Phrase the second part of the question to address your area of concern in a positive way (example: "Which solution

will be the easiest to implement?" rather than "Which solution will be the hardest to implement?")

5. Make sure your criteria are specific to your topic and Step II

6. Add the time, place, and topic to gain more points!

 

Sample Step IV

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Can be used with any topic as long as it is appropriate (Check your 6-step booklets for more ideas!!)

1. Which solution will be the most cost effective? (good)

2. Which solution will be the easiest to implement? (good)

3. Which solution will be the quickest to implement? (good)

4. Which solution will be the most long-lasting for the Rosen Foundation? (better)

5. Which solution will use the most existing resources to help the Rosen Foundation while keeping costs to a minimum? (best)

select

5. APPLY CRITERIA

In this step you will apply each question to your Step III Solution ideas.

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Key Points:

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1. Choose your 8 most promising solution ideas. (If you have less than 8 list them all)

2. List the 8 ideas on your grid identifying them by theirnumber and a brief description of the solution (use only a few key words to help you remember each solution)

3. Using your 5 questions from Step IV, rank your 8 solution ideas for each question 1-8. 8 is the best, 1 is the worst. (Example: a solution that is easiest to implement out of all 8 will get a score of 8, the solution idea which

is hardest to implement will get a score of 1)

4. Add up all scores to find out which solution will be the best!

According to the totals #6 is the best solution idea.

Keep in mind this is only a sample and your grid may turn out different.

apply

6. ACTION PLAN

In this step you will be writing about your highest ranking solution. You MUST use the solution that was ranked highest...you may not choose another solution just because you may like another one better. If you feel like the highest ranking solution is not a good one, you should go back and check your criteria and ranking.)

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Key Points:

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1. Who will carry out this solution (be specific)?

2. What will be done to solve the problem?

3. Where will this solution be implemented?

4. Why will this solution positively impact society?

5. How will this plan be carried out?

6. How does the plan impact the Underlying Problem(Step II)?

7. How does the plan impact the Future Scene?

8. How does this plan impact the overall topic?

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Be creative and add details. Make sure you are focused on the plan and elaborate your ideas!!

action plan
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