Eight Principles of
Effective Problem Solving
Strategies for a World that Will Demand Innovation
A Book by David Parsons [391 pages] See also Educating Problem Solvers
David Parsons has distilled eight principles of effective problem solving from a lifetime of successes and failures in a wide range of endeavors including computer simulation, project management, manufacturing, architecture, student pranks, and soccer coaching. His eight principles advance how we think about and control our problem solving efforts.
Mr. Parsons examines the barriers to effective problem solving and presents over forty strategies for overcoming these barriers. He decries the failure of traditional education to foster effective problem solving in our students, challenging educators at all levels to embrace problem-based learning.
The principles and strategies of this book are summarized in a companion volume: Educating Problem Solvers. The education book starts with the chapters on education found at the end of this book. Each principle is then summarized, including each of the strategies and a smattering of the supporting argument.