Comments on Patterns of Problem Solving (POPS)

My decision to take this course stems from a keen interest in puzzles which dates back to my school days. This interest deepened during my under-graduate days (as a Computer Engineer) when I got my initial exposure to Graph Theory and Heuristic-based problem solving. The POPS course has been a thoroughly enjoyable one, and at the same time has enriched me with a wide gamut of approaches to solve puzzles - conventional and otherwise. The classes were stimulating, and the exams provided challenging opportunities to apply what we have learnt in the class. In particular, I would like to mention the Chess sessions and Decryption exercises - which comprise my favourite part of the course.

Ritaban Dey

PGP 2011-13

Patterns of Problem Solving course is one of the most unique courses at IIM Bangalore. This course forces one to think out of the box. The entire emphasis is on the in-class learning. Prof. Shekar made sure that course content was varied and a plethora of topics were covered in the course. If given an opportunity, I will definitely like to take the course again as I am pretty sure that there would still be a new learning. Thank you Prof. Shekar for such an interesting course.

Mihir Mogre,

PGP 2011-13

Assistant Manager, Samsung India

Patterns of Problem Solving offered by Prof. Shekar is one of those few courses offered as a part of MBA curriculum, which is oriented towards developing logical  and lateral thinking rather than merely exposing the student to pre-existing frameworks. The course is augmented by  an excellent pedagogy which involves problems cutting across varied fields – from stories of Sherlock Holmes to hardcore sequencing problem, from engaging tan-gram exercises to reveling in a game of chess. The emphasis is on leading the student to think for him/her self rather than providing the solution. Prof. Shekar provides a very conducive and relaxed environment for students to think hard and learn by doing.

Shobhit Agrawal

PGP 2011-13

Management education makes student think in a very rigid and patterned way to find the solution to any problem. In this process, we miss out lot of essential elements which are not stated in the problem solving structure. But POPS helped me to look at the problems from a different point of view. May be, for the first time, I was experiencing what is ‘Out of the Box’ thinking. It took us away from stereotypical way of problem solving and made us think about where to attack the problem to find answers. A session with Tangram kits was the most exciting one. It made us aware about our rigid thought process and encouraged to come out of mental restrictions. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and I am confident that insights from POPS would help me to deal with day to day problems in my corporate life.

Shirish Ashok Gaikwad

PGP 2011-13

Despite my fear for maths in general and anything to do with a lot of logic in particular, I took this course just to see how i would perform! The first 2 classes of theory in fact made me wonder if it was worth it !!! But truly speaking, I simply loved every single class after that ! Though there were extremely brilliant students in the class, I never felt too de-motivated at any time, since this course was refreshingly new and interesting too!

We learn so much stuff in other courses, mostly knowledge! But POPS, was different! Chess, puzzles, jumbled words, movies...all were so good !

Despite the low grade I received ( due to my own inabilities !!), I would definitely recommend this course! One of the best courses that I have done here. Most of all, the professor was extremely enthusiastic all throughout, which made every session great !

Aruna Ranganathan
PGP 2008-10
Procter and Gamble


This without any doubt has been my favourite course at IIMB. For people who like crosswords or anagrams or number puzzles or chess, this course is highly recommended. The joy of solving puzzles can hardly be experienced elsewhere. Each session brought with it a new genre of problem solving which required logic, out of the box thinking and the ability to recognize patterns. There is something for everyone in this course as long as one does not expect the learning to be directly applicable later on in life. This is one course which should be taken up just for its own sake.

Shruti Johari

PGP - 2009 - 11, IIMB

 

 

POPS is one of my favourite subjects at IIMB. I suggest my juniors this as must do course; I enjoyed the full course and especially the quizzes. I may forget many things happened to me at IIMB but not those quizzes, they are really good. All the course content is simply awesome. My favourite part of this course is TANGRAMS and Mid Term Quiz.

Thanks for teaching us this course.

Ramakrishna Reddy PV

PGP - 2013-14, IIMB

 

 

 

POPS is undoubtedly one of the best courses offered in IIMB. I would like to elaborate on why it was the best through my personal experience.

1. Free Flow Of Energy: The course encourages conscious communication within us & with others thus leading to free flow of energy, ideas & thoughts. The course itself scintillates with energy as it teaches us to think beyond obvious.

2.Grey Cells Challenged: The course titillates our little grey cells through its many thought-provoking class assignments, activities & quizzes. Class assignments are indeed tricky, thrilling & captivating. The problem solving approaches taught to us by our Prof. Shekar B further teaches us to "Think Simple Yet Think Innovatively". 

Thus the course was a quality learning experience as it focussed on different aspects of learning i.e conceptualization, contextualization, active construction of knowledge & finally reflection in action. Hence, I will recommend all my juniors to opt for this subject in the coming years.

Anisha Haldar

PGP - 2013-14, IIMB

 

 

 

 

 

 

POPS was a course driven by intelligence, and while solving the problems encountered during the course made me appreciate the course, the failure to do so accentuated the feeling. I am sure the course was intended to develop and enhance the abilities of the students. Nonetheless, it also manages to trigger a deeper dive into what the course hails; for it showcases a huge area of knowledge and its application coupled with fun. It gives us a closer look to the its simplicity, and how it fails to attract us yet succeeds to serve us.

Binoy Subba

PGP - 2013-14, IIMB