The four criteria used to evaluate potential alternative solutions can be revisited to assess the effectiveness of the chosen solution:

  • Did the ‘How to’ statement actually delivered accurately communicate or address the primary unmet want?
  • Did the actions taken demonstrate sensitivity to the wants of relevant others?
  • Were the actions executed in a socially acceptable manner?
  • Were the planned actions actually within the capabilities of the client to perform? (p189).

If the answer to 1 or more of these questions is no, then Practice Elements C3iv and C3v may need to be repeated. If the answer to all of these questions is yes, there is a high probability that the action resulted in the want being met. If it was not, then the whole problem-solving process probably needs to be repeated, starting with Problem Definition.