(SHORT
NOTES FROM PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS:
General
Problem-Solving Tools at http://www.mindtools.com)
Most of us use "rules of
thumb" in all sorts of areas of our daily lives. These rules are based on experience, and are
invaluable because they help us to make decisions without further detailed
fact-finding. No one expects these rules
to be 100% accurate.
The rules of thumb are only used in
situations where the risks associated with using a "good enough"
approximation are acceptable. The formal
term for these rules of thumb is "heuristics". Heuristic is a mental shortcut that allows people
to solve problems and make judgments quickly and efficiently. These rule-of-thumb strategies shorten
decision-making time and allow people to function without constantly stopping
to think about their next course of action. While heuristics are helpful in many
situations, they can also lead to biases.
Heuristics play important roles in both
problem-solving and decision-making. While
heuristics can speed up problem and decision-making process, they can also introduce
errors. Just because something has
worked in the past does not mean that it will work again, and relying on an
existing heuristic can make it difficult to see alternative solutions or come
up with new ideas.
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