Problem solving is a mental process which is the concluding part of the larger problem process that includes problem

finding and problem shaping where problem is defined as a state of desire for the reaching of a definite goal from a present condition that either is not directly moving toward the goal, is far from it or needs more complex logic for finding a missing description of conditions or steps toward the goal [1]. Considered the most complex of all intellectual functions, problem solving has been defined as a higher-order cognitive process that requires the modulation and control of more routine or fundamental skills.[2] Problem solving has two major domains: mathematical problem solving and personal problem solving where, in the second, some difficulty or barrier is encountered.[3] Further problem solving occurs when moving from a given state to a desired goal state is needed for either living organisms or an artificial intelligence system. While problem solving accompanies the very beginning of human evolution and especially the history of mathematics,[3] the nature of human problem solving processes and methods has been studied by psychologists over the past hundred years. Methods of studying problem solving include introspection, behaviorism, simulation, computer modeling and experiment.

Problem-solving techniques
These techniques are usually called problem solving strategies.

Abstraction: solving the problem in a model of the system before applying it to the real system Analogy: using a solution that solved an analogous problem Brainstorming: (especially among groups of people) suggesting a large number of solutions or ideas and combining and developing them until an optimum is found Divide and conquer: breaking down a large, complex problem into smaller, solvable problems Hypothesis testing: assuming a possible explanation to the problem and trying to prove (or, in some contexts, disprove) the assumption Lateral thinking: approaching solutions indirectly and creatively Means-ends analysis: choosing an action at each step to move closer to the goal Method of focal objects: synthesizing seemingly non-matching characteristics of different objects into something new Morphological analysis: assessing the output and interactions of an entire system Reduction: transforming the problem into another problem for which solutions exist Research: employing existing ideas or adapting existing solutions to similar problems Root cause analysis: eliminating the cause of the problem Trial-and-error: testing possible solutions until the right one is found Proof: try to prove that the problem cannot be solved. The point where the proof fails will be the starting point for solving it

Lateral thinking is solving problems through an indirect and creative approach, using reasoning that is not immediately obvious and involving ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional stepby-step logic

Critical thinking is primarily concerned with judging the true value of statements and seeking errors. Lateral thinking is more concerned with the movement value of statements and ideas. A person uses lateral thinking to move from one known idea to creating new ideas. Edward de Bono defines four types of thinking tools:

Idea generating tools that are designed to break current thinking patternsroutine patterns, the status quo Focus tools that are designed to broaden where to search for new ideas Harvest tools that are designed to ensure more value is received from idea generating output Treatment tools that are designed to consider real-world constraints, resources, and support

Some Lateral Thinking Examples

Here are some lateral thinking examples based on a realistic scenario. We'll not only look at some possible solutions to the following problem, but we'll look at how to arrive at "lateral" possibilities. This will help us better understand what the expression means and how to actually think more creatively. Six friends were on a large sail boat far out to sea. They had the usual safety gear on board, including an inflatable life raft and personal flotation vests (life jackets). They decided to go for a swim in the calm waters, and one by one jumped over the edge. One had a plastic float toy, another a diving mask, and only one was wearing a life jacket. One man was wearing denim shorts with a knife on the belt, and the rest simply had on their swim suits. You may recognize this as a movie which was supposedly based on a true story. They realized too late that nobody had put the ladder down. The sides of the boat were smooth polished fiberglass and sloped out over their heads. It was at least six feet up to the railing. They tried jumping high enough, but soon they were tired and cold. A breeze blew a jacket to the edge above, and a sleeve hung low enough that one of the men was able to grab it and pull the nylon jacket into the water with them. There was no land in sight. What could they do to save themselves?
The More Obvious Solutions

As mentioned, they tried jumping out of the water to reach the railing. As I recall, a couple of them even tried lifting another up, but they sunk into the water as they lifted her. Those, and swimming around the boat to see if there was anything hanging down to climb up on, were what I would consider the expected responses.

A bit more creative, although still a fairly "linear" solution, was to use their swim suits, and the jacket tie to create a "rope" that could be thrown up to the railing. Once tangled or caught on the railing, it could then be climbed. In the movie, it took them hours to think of this, and after one attempt during which the clothing broke halfway through the climb, they gave up, as people strangely do in movies.
The More "Lateral Thinking" Examples

Lateral thinking, remember, is moving away from the usual logic and linear line of reasoning. For example, it is logical to think about jumping up to reach the railing, and to help a person do that. A more creative or lateral approach would be to question the logic of using people as "muscle" for this attempt. What else could they be? Flotation. One man could have leaned over and held his hands on his knees to provide a platform (his back) for another to climb on. Meanwhile, the others could each take a deep breath and swum down under the first to provide more flotation. They could have held the inflatable toy and life jacket under there as well. This might have kept the "platform" man floating high enough for the climber to stand on and reach the railing. Lateral thinking, then, is sometimes about using what you have in unexpected ways. The knife, for example, might be used more conventionally to cut strips from the clothing and webbing from the life jacket to make a rope - not a bad idea either. But a more "lateral" though is for a man to pound it into the hull of the boat and use it to hang from while the lightest woman climbs over him to the railing. But to think in lateral or non-linear ways also means to challenge the whole line of thought that the pursuit of a solution is based on. In this case, that line of thought is that they had to get back on the boat. Of course it is natural to think that is the only way to survive, but what if it wasn't? What if they don't actually need the boat? Those kind of questions can sometimes lead to the most creative solutions. In this case, for example, had they challenged their assumption that the boat was so important, this lateral thinking may have lead to a very creative solution: Use the knife to cut a hole in the hull and sink the boat. As the boat got lower, they could have scrambled aboard and retrieved the life raft and supplies before it sank completely. In the movie the knife is lost, and eventually four of the six died. The remaining two are saved using a broken piece of the face of the diving mask. This is jammed into a crack where the mechanical ladder normally opens, and the man hangs on it while the woman climbs over him and reaches the railing. Of course, since I did not mention the crack, this wouldn't be one of your solutions. But it is one of the better lateral thinking examples in this realistic scenario.