Instructions - Part 7

Analyze Objective Data about your Problem

In this section, you'll be entering the objective data about your problem. Your objective data includes your:  Questions, Information, Tasks, and Goals.

Now, you could just start entering everything that know about your problem right off the top of your head in to the database. But you'll see that the sequence in which you enter your data will allow you to exploit some valuable opportunities. Remember, that the genius of the Problem-Solving Matrix comes from its structured analysis.

If you'd like to read more comprehensive information about how the MySolver™ database program works, see Problem-Solving Matrix and Detailed Info.

You'll begin this process by gathering questions about your problem.

Overview of the Problem-Solving Matrix - Objective Data about your Problem

Step 1:  Take a quick look at our illustration of the Problem Solving Matrix. The 1st quadrant (outlined in red) is the matrix that analyzes the Objective Data about your Problem.

Diagram of the Problem-Solving Matrix with the 1st quadrant 'Objective Data / Problem' outlined in red (click to enlarge).

Print the Matrix for Objective Data / Problem

Step 2:  Print out our visualization of the matrix for 'Objective Data / Problem' (below). Click on the form to enlarge, then print the PDF file.

This matrix is Major Categories by Interrogatory Dimensions for the Objective Data about your Problem. Interrogatory dimensions are one of the cornerstones of the Problem-Solving Matrix.

Word version of Problem-Solving Matrix for Objective Data.docx (Click link to download Word version).

Excel version of Problem-Solving Matrix for Objective Data.xlsx (Click link to download Excel version).

PDF version of Problem-Solving Matrix for Objective Data.pdf (Click link to download PDF version).

Step 3:  Write your Major Categories in the boxes at the top of each column. If they don't fit, just abbreviate them. This form is only going to be used as a checklist. You'll be using it to 'X' out the blank boxes as you go down each column.

Print our Lists of Preliminary Standard Questions

Step 4:  Print out our lists of preliminary standard questions. They are:  Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, From Where, and To Where.

Login to MySolver™

Step 5:  Login to MySolver™. Go to the Homepage Main Menu and click on the 'Objective Data - Problem' panel.

Screenshot (above) of the MySolver™ database Main Menu with the Problem-Solving Matrix's 'Objective Data - Problem' panel outlined in red (click to enlarge).

Enter your Objective Data

Step 6:  Begin by entering your Who questions, for your FIRST Major Category, into the MySolver™ database by using our data entry form (see screenshot below). Enter your question into the Objective Data field, then choose from the drop-down menus to properly describe your data.

Screenshot of a Data Entry Form for the MySolver™ database (click to enlarge).

Step 7:  Enter all the Who questions related to your FIRST Major Category. You can use the Who questions from the 'Preliminary List of Who Questions' but the best questions may be the ones you think of.

Helpful Hint:

You may be very tempted to try to answer all of your questions as you enter them. That's OK, if it's a quick answer. Enter your answers as the Type=Information. (It's also OK to enter any Tasks or Goals you think of.) Once you get all your questions in the MySolver™ database, you'll be sorting them by priority. This will help you use your time more effectively by answering your most important questions first rather than answering each question as it comes to mind.

Complete your Objective Data for a Major Category

Step 8:  Next, enter your What, When, Where, Why, How, From Where, and To Where questions related to a Major Category into the MySolver™ database.

Step 9:  Before you repeat this process for your next Major Category, you may want to complete your first Major Category in the next section (i.e. Analyze your Subjective Thoughts about your Problem).

Go to the next step, click Analyze your Subjective Thoughts about your Problem.

Click to return to Instructions menu.