Problem solving is one of the most basic skills to learn, be it in
the professional or personal context. In the following article, we will
list out some of the problem solving activities that you can adopt and
hone this skill thus.
The fact is that any situation, function, activity (and whatever
other context you can think of) will have the emerging of problems at
one point or the other in its course. Nothing can function smoothly from
beginning to end. In that way, problems are a natural part of life, no
matter what context they are placed under. The most effective thing to
do therefore, is to develop the skills of problem solving. An innate
understanding of how to tackle any problem head on will give one the
confidence that no matter what situation they find themselves in, they
have the capacity to come out of the same.
Learning the varied
skills of problem solving especially helps in the professional world
because one is required to work in a group for the sake of a bigger
goal. While there are several ways in which problem-solving tactics can
be learned, in this article we will focus on some of the most effective
group problem-solving activities for adults.
Problem Solving Group Games
Why
group games? For the simple reason that there is nothing quite as
effective as games, to get one to learn the basics of problem solving.
When you put it in the form of games, it takes the pressure off
'learning' something. You enjoy playing it instead and learn in the
process. It's as simple as that.
This game
requires a lot of concentration, the ability to instruct correctly and
to not crumble under pressure. Divide the group into teams of equal
members. Provide them with a ball of wool that they have to use to
create a web. Ask the teams to make the web in the designated area
provided for them, without using any tapes or the like. Once the teams
are done creating their individual webs, switch the teams into a
different web so that the difficulty level increases. Blindfold one
member of the team and let him at the web, while his team members have
to give him instructions on how to go about solving the web and
retrieving the line of wool as is. Give them a calculated amount of time
for solving this one. The team that manages to solve the web first,
wins.
Divide the group into teams of equal
numbers. Provide each of these teams with materials like straws,
newspapers, cello tape, string, cardboard material and 1 raw egg. The
objective of the game is to prepare an egg cover using the items
provided, such that when the egg is thrown from a height of 15 feet, it
should not crack.
Divide the group into teams with
equal members. Ask each team to stand in a circle. Now ask them to
extend their right hand and grab hold of the right hand of another
member in the team. Once everyone has done that, ask them to do the same
with their left hand. When the group is all tied up like so, give them a
time of 10-15 minutes in which they have to free themselves and form a
circle again. The only condition? They can't let go off their hands
while they are doing that. A person needs to keep a watch on everyone
while they are doing the exercise. If anyone's hand slips out, the team
is disqualified. The team that manages to free themselves and form a
circle first, wins.
A take on the scavenger hunt
game, this one provides for a whole lot of entertainment while bringing
the skills of problem solving into the picture. The group is divided
into teams and they are provided a list of to-do activities that they
have to solve to get to the big prize. These activities are a mix of
both - simple and tough. List activities like solving a puzzle, writing a
poem on a particular theme, physical activities like retrieving a
packet from the company lobby, drinking 5 glasses of milk, etc. This
activity requires for continued levels of motivation to last throughout
the course of the exercise. The team that manages to stay motivated and
work through the tension and adrenaline rush to complete all the
activities, wins.
Write down a couple of
situations that deal with everyday events. It could be any simple
situation like dealing with an incompetent salesperson or dealing with
an irate customer over the phone - anything that is challenging. Write
in as many characters in the situation as possible. Divide the people in
groups and then ask each group to pick out chits. Each group is given a
calculated time to prepare a skit based on the situation. A panel of
judges will judge the best act. This activity requires tremendous
planning skills and the ability to handle a stressful situation.
The
group is divided into teams of equal members. Each team is provided
with a number of deflated balloons, water, water guns and an empty
bucket. The objective of the game is that some members fill the balloons
with water and then throw it over to their team members (who are
standing at a calculated distance from them). They have to catch the
balloons and put it in the bucket. It might seem to be a very simple
game, but there will be that time until the team learns just how much
water to fill in the balloon, how to throw it and the best technique to
catch it so that the balloon doesn't burst. The team that manages to
learn and follow this will have less bursting of balloons and a higher
chance of winning.
This is a simple
problem-solving activity and one that most of us have played in our
childhood. Divide the group into teams and provide them with building
blocks and a model that they have to duplicate in a given time frame.
The team that manages to do that first, wins. Keep the difficulty level
high for more effect. The key is to be able to work with so many people
giving so many instructions all together.
Group problem-solving
activities can be of several kinds, and depending on the group that
you're dealing with, you can choose some that will suit the group in
question in the best possible manner. Leaving the fun quotient aside,
these games truly help develop the required skills for problem solving.
The fact is that any situation, function, activity (and whatever
other context you can think of) will have the emerging of problems at
one point or the other in its course. Nothing can function smoothly from
beginning to end. In that way, problems are a natural part of life, no
matter what context they are placed under. The most effective thing to
do therefore, is to develop the skills of problem solving. An innate
understanding of how to tackle any problem head on will give one the
confidence that no matter what situation they find themselves in, they
have the capacity to come out of the same.
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