© 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

2. What is Problem Solving?
       Timing sheets
3. Self-assessment
        Background
        Objectives
        Evidence-based targets to improve problem solving
       Workshop activities
4. Strategies
        Background
        Objectives
        Timing sheets
        Evidence-based targets to improve problem solving
5. I want to and I can: Stress Management
        Objectives
        Evidence-based targets to improve problem solving
        Workshop
        Visuals for Workshop
       Self-Assessment Journal
6. Analysis: classification
        Objectives
        Evidence-based targets to improve problem solving

         Visuals for workshop
        Self-Assessment Journal
7. Creativity
        Evidence-based targets to improve problem solving
8. Define the stated problem
        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
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
29. Being an Effective Chairperson
       Background
       Objectives
       Evidence-based target

       Workshop activities
52. Fundamentals of Interpersonal skills

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

30. Analysis: Reasoning and Drawing Conclusions
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
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
49. Coping with Change
50. Being a Change Agent
51. Managing Change
52. Fundamentals of Interpersonal skills (see previous grouping)
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