Steps 1-4, based on the “perceiving” processes, focus on gathering information.
Steps 5-8, based on the “judging” processes, focus on zeroing-in on the best option and fleshing-out the details.
Step One engages Extraverted Sensation:
Perspective: Focus on concrete information about the current reality—the objective data and observations available all around us. Task frame: What can we observe about this problem?
Step Two engages Introverted Sensation:
Perspective: Focus on concrete information from the past—personal, subjective memories—and make practical comparisons. Task frame: What is the history of the problem?
Step Three engages Introverted Intuition:
Perspective: Search for meaning, significance, patterns, correlations, and interrelationships, even if they cannot be proven or demonstrated. Task frame: Make philosophical observations about the problem. What are the broadest possible implications?
Step Four engages Extraverted Intuition:
Perspective: Connect relevant information and project it forward to see the “big picture” and to reveal new, practical options. Task frame: Note plausible extrapolations based upon the data. What new approaches to the problem can be generated?
Step Five engages Introverted Thinking:
Perspective: Apply logical precision, without regard for “conventional wisdom.” Task frame: Fill in the missing pieces or steps of the various options. Do they stand up to a “devil in the details” test? Eliminate those that don’t.
Step Six engages Extraverted Thinking:
Perspective: Apply objective, impersonal analysis. Task frame: Bring logical structure to the array of options and create agreed-upon objective criteria and a shared framework for judging them. How does each option rate for effectiveness? Eliminate the least effective.
Step Seven engages Extraverted Feeling:
Perspective: Create and maintain external harmony. Task frame: How might the remaining options affect the needs, desires, relationships, and emotions of people? Eliminate options with unacceptable impacts upon stakeholders.
Step Eight engages Introverted Feeling:
Perspective: Respect everyone’s values. Task frame: Ask: “Does this feel right to me?” “Am I comfortable with this plan?” “Does it respect the values of all the participants and stakeholders?” Eliminate options that don’t.
The basic steps of any thorough and methodical approach to problem-solving must include:
- Gathering information
- Generating options
- Organizing the information and ideas
- Zeroing-in on the best option
Aligning these essential elements with a summary of the eight-part IPS program highlights its ability to bring the appropriate mindsets and focus to bear on each task.
|Gather Information||(1) Extraverted Sensing||Gather discrete bits of concrete information about the current reality.|
|(2) Introverted Sensing||Gather discrete bits of concrete information from the past.|
|Make practical comparisons.|
|(3) Introverted Intuiting||Look for hidden significance, meaning, patterns, and interrelationships.|
|(4) Extraverted Intuiting||Note tangible connections and the “big picture” view.|
|Generate options||Note possibilities and generate options.|
|Organize the information and ideas||(5) Introverted Thinking||Look at the details of each proposal in action.|
|(6) Extraverted Thinking||Organize each option with related information. Group options according to emerging key factors and/or themes.|
|Analyze||Extraverted Thinking||Rate the options for effectiveness. Eliminate the least effective options (or elements of options). Zero-in on the best option.|
|Evaluate||(7) Extraverted Feeling||Predict impact of options on stakeholders.|
|Extraverted Feeling||Rate the options for desirability. Eliminate the least desirable options (or elements of options). Zero-in on the best option.|
|(8) Introverted Feeling||Examine your gut-feeling comfort level for each option. Eliminate or modify any option or element that cannot be genuinely supported. Zero-in on the best option.|