© copyright 1998, Donald R. Woods

The MPS Program: The McMaster Problem Solving Program

1. What is problem solving?

2. The MPS program & evaluation of its effectiveness

3. Design of an MPS unit

4. MPS Units 1 to 18: focus on individuals solving relatively well-defined problems

I have tried to give background, objectives, timing sheets and transparencies for the Units as I complete the documentation. You may use these in your context. I would appreciate your acknowledging the source.

1. Awareness
        Background
        Objectives
        Evidence-based targets to improve problem solving
         Workshop
         Self Assessment Journal
       Visuals for workshop power point
2. What is Problem Solving?
       Background
       Timing sheets
       Workshop Visuals
3. Self-assessment
        Background
        Objectives
        Evidence-based targets to improve problem solving
       Timing Sheets
       Workshop Visuals
       Workshop activities
       Self Assessment Journal
       Workshop Visual Power Point
4. Strategies
        Background
        Objectives
        Timing sheets
        Evidence-based targets to improve problem solving
        Workshop
        Visuals for Workshop Power Point
5. I want to and I can: Stress Management
       Background
        Objectives
        Evidence-based targets to improve problem solving
        Workshop
        Visuals for Workshop
       Self-Assessment Journal
      Visuals for Workshop Power Point
6. Analysis: classification
       Background
        Objectives
        Evidence-based targets to improve problem solving
         Visuals for workshop
        Self-Assessment Journal
7. Creativity
       Background
       Evidence-based targets to improve problem solving
       Visuals for Workshop
8. Define the stated problem
       Background
        Objectives
        Evidence-based targets to improve problem solving
9. Translation
        Objectives
        Evidence-based targets to improve problem solving
10. Getting Unstuck
11. Identifying Personal Preference and Implications
      Objectives
      The Unique You
      Visuals for workshop
     Self assessment journal
     Visuals for workshop Power Point
12.Learning Skills
      Objectives
      Evidence-based targets
      Timing sheets
      Workshops
      Visuals for workshop
13. Analysis: Consistency
14. Creating the Look Back and Extending Experiences
        Objectives
15. Exploring the Situation to Identify the Real Problem
16. Tactics
17. Time Management for Individuals
        Objectives
        Workshop
        Visuals for Workshop
        Self Assessment Journal
18. Evaluation and Stress Management.

5. MPS Units 19 to 29 (and 52): focus on interpersonal skills and group problems solving

19. More on Visual Thinking: Reading P&IDs
20. Asking Questions
21. Analysis: Sequences and Series
22. Broadening Perspectives
23. Obtaining Criteria
24. Decision making
23-24a. Criteria and Decision making in the context of career Counselling and Guidance
25. Time Management for groups and projects
26. Listening and Responding:
a) Attending and following
b) Body language
c) Reflecting
27. Listening and responding: body language
28. Group Skills
      Objectives
      Targets
      Workshop activities
      Visuals for workshop
      Timing Sheets
29. Being an Effective Chairperson
       Background
       Objectives
       Evidence-based target
       Workshop activities

6. MPS Units 30 to 57: focus on solving messy problems

30. Analysis: Reasoning and Drawing Conclusions
        Objectives
        Evidence-based targets
        Workshop notes
        Workshop activities
31. Defining Real Problems
32. Implementing
33. Coping with Ambiguity
34. Trouble Shooting
       Background
       Objectives
       Evidence-based targets
       Workshop activities
     Workshop triad Instructions
35. Heuristics or Rules-of-thumb for Problem Solving
36. Self-Directed Learning: or Problem-based Learning
     Objectives
     Workshop Activities
     Suggestions for students
     Target
     Visuals
37. Simplifying and Generalizing
38. Consolidating the Knowledge Structure
38a. Consolidating the Knowledge Structure in Chemical Engineering
39. Creating Tacit Information or Experience Knowledge
39a. Creating Tacit Information or Experience Knowledge in Chemical Engineering
40. Successive Approximation and Optimum Sloppiness
41. Finding Opportunities
42. Procrastination and other Attitudes
43. Giving and Receiving Feedback
44. Assertiveness
45. Coping Creatively with Conflict
46. Coping with Difficult Behaviours
47. Accentuating the Negative
48. Communication
      Objectives
      Target
      Workshop Activities
      Visuals Part 1
      Visuals Part 2       
49. Coping with Change
50. Being a Change Agent
51. Managing Change
52. Fundamentals of Interpersonal skills (see previous grouping)
     Workshop Activities 1
     Workshop Activities 2
53. Effective Teams and Team building
54. Goals, Mission and Vision
55. Roles and Responsibilities in Teams
56. Networking: How to enrich your Life and Get Things Done
57. Convincing Others: Getting a Buy-in
58. Leadership
59. Anger Management
60. Motivation
61. Emotional Intelligence