S.T.A.I.R

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S.T.A.I.R
CSCI N207 Data Analysis Using Spreadsheet
Lingma Acheson linglu_at_iupui.edu
Department of Computer and Information Science,
IUPUI
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Problem Solving Technique

• Fundamental
• When you get stuck
• When things go wrong

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What is STAIR?

• A problem solving strategy developed by faculty
  members here at the CS department
• Can be applied to a range of problems, e.g. real
  life problems, computer problems.

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What does STAIR stand for?

• S State the problem
• T Tools
• A Algorithm (ideas, plans, design
• charts, methods)
• I Implementation (steps, actions)
• R Refinement

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Examples

• A real life example
• My car broke
• S
• T
• A
• I
• R
• Your example?

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Examples (2)

• Computer problems
• My boss asked me to give him a quarterly sales
  report.
• Id like to create my own web pages.

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Why do we need STAIR?

• The challenge of computers
• Computers are not single tasked
• Can do many things (Word, Email, game, video)
• Changing pace of technology
• Hardware changes
• Software upgrades
• Challenge of software diversity
• Do one thing in many different ways, which
  software to choose?

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STAIR Is An Art

• Problem solving can be seen as more of an art
  than a science
• Each person has different ways of approaching and
  solving problems
• Plan for complicated problems
• Give you a framework to start with and to fall
  back on when you are stuck

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STAIR Is An Art

• Skilled computer users are skilled problem
  solvers
• They rely on their ability to solve new problems
  and find answers independently than on previous
  knowledge of the commands of an application
  program

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S - State the Problem

• Seems obvious enough, but often the one people
  skip
• We frequently start solving problems before we
  really think carefully about what problem we are
  trying to solve
• Take the time to describe carefully to yourself
  what you are trying to accomplish
• Be clean and concise
• Be complete

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S - State the Problem

• Avoid the temptation to phrase the problem in
  technical terms
• Use simple English
• Use whatever you need to make sure you have a
  firm understanding of your problem
• Write down the problem
• Make a diagram or flowchart
• Draw a sketch
• Usually the hardest step!
• Quarterly sales report What is the problem?

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T Tools for the Job

• A tool can be anything
• Commands
• Button on a toolbar
• Programs
• People
• Resources
• Identify some tools
• List all potential tools
• New tools can be added as your gain experience
• Be imaginative!

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T Tools for the Job

• Know your tools well
• Have a strong general knowledge about how
  computers work and what they can and what they
  cant do
• Know the main types of applications that are used
• Know what features they can expect to find within
  an application
• Quarterly sales report What tools do you need?

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A Algorithm Development

• Computer word for plan/strategy
• Re-state of problem in terms of tools
• how to use tools
• List of steps
• What to do in each step
• Can be as simple as one sentence for less complex
  problems or a complete action plan for more
  complex problems
• Quarterly sales report Whats your plan?

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I Implementation of the Algorithm

• Just do it!
• Translate algorithm into action
• The easiest step!
• Quarterly sales report Time to use the computer!

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R Refinement

• It never goes right the first time
• Quarterly sales report Why my boss dont like
  it?
• Look back over previous steps and analyze what
  happened
• Did you define the problem properly?
• Did you choose the right tool? Have you used all
  the possible tools?
• Is your algorithm correct? Did you choose the
  best algorithm?
• Did you implement the solution properly?
• Fix problems and try again

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R Refinement

• Each unsuccessful attempt should bring you closer
  to an understanding of the problem and its
  solution
• Practice makes you much more confident

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STAIR Revisit

• State the problem Define with words, sketches
  or other means
• Tools Identify commands, programs, resources
  that can help you solve the problem
• Algorithm Come up with an action plan
• Implementation Carry out the action plan
• Refinement Make it better