Long-term innovative problem solving skills: Redefining problem solving

Computer technologies are widely used to facilitate teaching of creative problem solving and to help engineers in their dayto-day work. To ensure effective utilisation in engineering practice, it is imperative to better understand the problem solving process itself. This research used an exploratory approach (Grounded Theory) to understand the complexities of engineering problem solving. Interview data from 22 engineers ranging from novice to experts, including 15 male and 7 female engineers were discussed. The participants believed that problem identification is the most crucial stage in good problem solving. 'Options' were identified as deterrents to long-term development of problem solving ability. It was established that it is necessary to boost self-efficacy of young engineers and make them willing to face challenges despite 'options'. Participants also suggested that conscious understanding and awareness of their own problem solving strategy is vital to the development of their problem solving skills. Findings from this paper provide new insights on how engineers develop their problem solving skills and can be used to improve existing theories on problem solving. These findings have implications on general educational strategy, as well as the development and implementation of computer technology for engineering problem solving