Entry
Problem solving: Method: What is the 'Comparison working system' problem solving method?
May 2nd, 2008 07:19
Knud van Eeden, Taksh Verdhan, Sakir Ali,
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--- Knud van Eeden --- 12 October 2020 - 03:50 am --------------------
Problem solving: Method: What is 'Comparison working system' problem
solving method?
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Remove: Elimination by using replace:
You eliminate the possible causes by comparing each cause to a
similar, but working, cause.
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This is a special case of the 'probable cause elimination' method,
you eliminate by 'replacing'.
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As before you create a list of probable causes, and order them
by probability in a checklist, the most probable cause first, the
most unprobable cause last.
problem:
+-->--[cause 1]-->--+
| |
+-->--[cause 2]-->--+
| |
try -->--+-->--[cause 3]-->--+-->-- solution state
| |
+-->----. . . --->--+
| |
+-->--[cause last]--+
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The method used to elimate one by one (or more) the probable causes is
that you take a probable cause, and replace it with a similar working
solution.
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You repeat this 'replace and test again' process, for 0 to all possible
causes.
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So in such a 'cause and effect' problem situation:
+-->--[working solution 1]-->--+
| |
+-->--[cause 2]------------->--+
| |
try -->--+-->--[cause 3]------------->--+-->-- solution
| | state
+-->----. . .--------------->--+
| |
+-->--[cause last]-------------+
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Usually 2 possibilities as a result:
1. If replacing a possible cause, with the working solution, it works
2. If replacing a possible cause, with the working solution, it works
not
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Note: It might be that replacing it with a working solution gives only
some small change, in other words all gradations between not
working and completely working are possible in practice.
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Note: a problem can of course have several causes.
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Note: this method is also called 'cross testing'.
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For example:
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The ADSL modem is not working.
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You analyze the causes (e.g. by letting your mental eye run from the
receiver (=your laptop) to the sender (=your Internet Service
provider)).
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Each of the connection parts in this chain might be a possible cause.
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E.g. the hardware cable between your USB port and your ADSL modem.
So you might check amongst others this cable connection.
You might e.g. then replace that cable with another cable of which
you for sure know (because it worked e.g. in another ADSL modem).
1. If the outcome or effect does change (e.g. the ADSL modem works),
you have so
found a possible cause.
2. If the outcome or effect does *not* change (e.g. the ADSL modem does
not work), you might repeat replacing other parts (for example those
parts to which you have access) which might cause the problem.
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Internet: see also:
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Problem solving: Method: What is the 'possible cause elimination'
problem solving method?
http://www.faqts.com/knowledge_base/view.phtml/aid/25258/fid/1242
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Problem solving: Method: Means-ends analysis: What is means-ends
analysis?
http://www.faqts.com/knowledge_base/view.phtml/aid/25270/fid/1242
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