Problem solving rule-set for fault diagnosis

A special problem solving rule-set helps solving special types of real-life problems quickly

Whom to ask?

 We form problem solving rules as we go through experiences in life. We store in our mind rules that we found effective in solving a particular problem. Usually we do it involuntarily. Applicability and effectiveness of the rule increases when such a rule is  consciously created and applied for solving real life problems. We have seen examples of such rules during the last session.

A problem solving rule has a simple concept structure usually in the form of

                      “if <condition> then <action>”

The condition may be complex but still the structure of the rule remains simple. In contrast a rule-set has a more complex structure. It can be considered as a combination of more than one rule.

Story 1: Diagnosing a difficult cough

Years ago I stayed away from home for two years due to job demands. Finally after two years I returned home with a bad racking cough that I could not get rid of. It took away my sleep and energy. For months I consulted physicians and specialists, underwent innumerable diagnostic tests and took a series of prescribed medicines. Even alternative medicine path I tried. But nothing could reduce the intensity of the evil cough.

Then I thought of Dr. Mukherjee whom I used to consult before. When I entered his chamber he greeted me—we knew each other well. Patiently he listened through what I had to say.My speaking was frequently interrupted by my constant companion cough. 
He thought for a moment, took out a printed booklet from his desk drawer and started asking me a series of questions. As far as I remember he asked me five questions. Answer to each of the questions had to be yes or no. At the end of the questionnaire he concluded without any hesitation, “You have bronchial asthma. I am prescribing you an inhaler. You will get well soon, but in future also you may need to use the inhaler if you get this cough again.”

That was that. Within two weeks I got cured (for the time being) of the devil of a cough that tormented me for the interminable many months past.

I thought even then, how powerful that questionnaire is! There was no need to go through any diagnostic test at all—a few questions and the issue was settled for good. Can’t there be such powerful set of questions for solving other difficult issues, not only in health domain?

As an inquirer into the subject of Innovation & Problem Solving, I remembered that experience, evaluated it with a new mindset and understood to some extent its power. Even I went recently to see Dr. Mukherjee and asked him about the questions he had used for me. He smiled. It was eight years ago. Then he took out a booklet and showed a list of nine questions. Even though my memory fails many times, I was sure that these were not the questions he asked eight years ago. After a moments thought though I understood what happened. To confirm, I asked, “You had changed the questions in your own way, isn’t it?” “Yes”, he nodded.

I am reproducing below the questions to be asked to a patient for diagnosing whether he has bronchial asthma. These are taken from a standard printed help to practicing physicians.

“Questions to be asked to the patient:

1.   Have you had an attack or recurrent episodes of wheezing (high pitched whistling sounds when breathing out)?

2.   Do you have troublesome cough which is particularly worse at night or on waking?

3.   Are you awakened by coughing or difficult breathing?

4.   Do you cough or wheeze after physical activity (like games or exercise)?

5.   Does the patient experience breathing problems during a particular season?

6.   Do you cough, wheeze or develop chest tightness after exposure to airborne allergens or irritants e.g. smoke, perfumes, animal fur?

7.   Does the patient’s cold frequently “go to the chest” or take more than 10 days to resolve?

8.   Does the patient use medication when symptoms occur? How often?

9.   Are symptoms relieved when medication is used?

If answer is yes to any of the questions, a diagnosis of asthma should be considered.”

This type of special problem solving rule-sets can be effectively used in disease and fault diagnostics kind of problem solving.

You have perhaps experienced such set of questions when availing of telephonic support for some of your gadget at home going faulty. Fault diagnosis is similar to disease diagnosis. Practitioners in any fault diagnostics domain can carefully form such a set of leading questions from long experience to screen out most of the common faults. The faults still not resolved after the questions should be tackled with more detailed attention. This powerful rule-set mechanism is used often for quick diagnosis and rectification.

You can also form your own such problem solving rule-sets for personal use in tackling special types of problems.

In your work domain or personal life, you can form such effective rule-sets to simplify fault rectification or disease diagnostics processes. Use of such special problem solving rules and rule-sets increases efficiency by directly cutting short your time to reach the solution.

Though such pre-formed question-answer mechanism is used often in fault or disease diagnostics situations, we will see later how a series of linked yes/no type of questions can be used for reducing the confusion in complex real life decision problems.

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