In this next phase of problem solving, one thinks ahead and tries to determine possible
consequences, barriers, and obstacles that may hinder their efforts. They try to foresee what will
happen when they implement their strategies before they actually act on those strategies. This
process can save much frustration and potential disaster if one identifies possible flaws in the
strategies one has decided on. Once a set of strategies is determined that seems to lead in the right
direction, it is time to act on these strategies and implement them in an attempt to resolve the
problem. Anticipating possible outcomes may not always be the first thing one does in the
anticipate and act component of problem solving. One might have to actually act on a strategy to
anticipate possible outcomes. Bransford and Stein (1993) use the development of prototypes as one
example of when one might act on a strategy before they anticipate outcomes. When one has
anticipated and acted on strategies and these strategies lead to possible problem solutions it is time
to reflect on the implementation of the strategies by looking at the effects of the applying the
strategies and then learning from the experience.