Final answer:
Prior to implementing a solution, identifying the problem's requirements is crucial, and planning for how to evaluate outcomes is essential in the problem-solving process. Anticipating and outlining the criteria for a reasonable solution can help ensure an effective resolution to the given challenge.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before taking action in the problem-solving process, there are essential steps that should be followed to ensure an effective solution is reached. One of the first steps involves identifying the given information and understanding what the problem is asking you to find. This initial stage is crucial as it lays the groundwork for all subsequent problem-solving steps. After the problem has been clearly identified, problem-solving strategies can be applied, which include breaking down the problem into knowns and unknowns, developing possible strategies, and then selecting the most appropriate one.
Checking if the answer is reasonable is a strategy that comes after a solution has been implemented; however, as part of the planning phase, it's important to anticipate potential outcomes and how they will be evaluated. This means thinking ahead about what a reasonable solution might entail and how you will assess the solution's effectiveness once it's been applied. By carefully considering these steps before taking action, you can increase the likelihood of solving the problem efficiently.