MODEL OF THE EPS PROCESS *

			Effective Problem Solving

What it is?

A name for a systematic process of coping with matters of concern to you.
Following the process offers the greatest chance for resolving many prob-
lems--that is, producing results that you will find most satisfying and
successful.

The process is quite straightforward, and it can be applied to many
kinds of problems which you encounter.

-1Steps in Problem Solving-0

We can describe a number of steps involved in the process.  By under-
standing these, you can apply them yourself to the task at hand -1now-0 and
to problems which confront you in the -1future-0.

The steps are:
     1.  Define the problem
     2.  Gather relevant information
     3.  Weigh the evidence gathered
     4.  Choose among alternative plans or goals
     5.  Take action on your plans
     6.  Review your plan periodically

Now for a closer look at these.

1.  DEFINE THE PROBLEM

    You have to know -1what-0 the problem is in order to be able to solve
    it.  You must begin by defining the problem or task in very clear
    fashion.  The clearer it is the easier it will be to solve and the
    better will be the solution.

    VOCATIONAL

	a.  For -1what kind of vocation-0 am I best suited?
	b.  For -1what kind of alternative vocation0 am I best suited?

    EDUCATIONAL

	a.  For -1what kind of education or training-0 am I best suited?
	b.  For -1what kind of alternative education or training-0 am I best
	    suited?

2.  GATHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

	a.  First, you need to identify what kinds of information are rele-
	    vant.  For the education-vocational problems concerning you,
	    here are some of the most important areas to consider:
	     (1)  Personal values
	     (2)  Academic ability
	     (3)  Academic achievement
	     (4)  Work experiences
	     (5)  Leisure experiences
	     (6)  Interests
	     (7)  Other's expectations of you
	     (8)  Occupational and educational facts (information about occu-
	          pations, requirements of different kinds of education, etc.)

	b.  Second, you need to gather these kinds of information about your-
	    self, that is, find out the facts regarding yourself in each of
	    these areas.

3.  WEIGH THE EVIDENCE

    This step refers to considering each bit of information you have gathered
    about yourself.

    Where do you stand on each of these areas listed above?  How do you
    evaluate yourself in terms of each?

4.  CHOOSE FIRST AND ALTERNATIVE PLANS OR GOALS

	a.  Here is the step where you -1combine-0 your evaluations covering all
	    the information you have gathered and weighed.

	b.  Keep in mind that some of this information is more important and
	    should be weighed more heavily than other information.

	c.  What first plan and what alternative plans best fit all of the
	    information you have gathered and weighed?

	d.  A good check on the soundness of your plane is to determine whe-
	    ther your plans follow consistently from the definition of the
	    problem and the information you have gathered and weighed.  If
	    they don't, revise your work and try to make them do so.

5.  TAKE ACTION ON YOUR PLANS

	a.  What can you do -1now-0 to further these plans?

	b.  What can you do -1subsequently-0 to further them?

6.  PERIODIC REVIEWING

	a.  Your plan or goal should be the best one possible -1at this time-0.
	    But as you gather additional experience, these plans should be
	    reviewed in light of your accumulating experience.

	b.  If you find need to alter your plans or shift to an alternative
	    plan--fine.  If not--fine.  In general, if you have been thorough
	    and careful in the first five steps, the modifications will be
	    minor ones, but any plan should be reviewed periodically and
	    updated as needed.

    *  Adapted from -1Behavioral Counseling-0, John D. Krumboltz and Carl
       E. Thoresen, pp. 364-366.

    Distributed by:
    Career Counseling
    Career Planning and Placement
    Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
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