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The first step in solving a problem is preparation. This stage is primarily a factfinding stage. The person analyzes the problem at hand, looking at what information is given, and what information needs to be found out. This involves analyzing exactly how the problem is structured. Doing this prevents doing too much work in solving the problem in a roundabout way. Also, usually in this stage it is decided which information is relevant, and which is not. 

It is in this stage where the problem-solver decides whether to use reproductive or productive thinking, as described in the thought section.
 
 

Example Problem:
 

Consider this maze. The object is to travel from the green dot to the red dot. In the preparation stage, one would realize that the solution is a path through the maze that does not cross any white lines. If the problem solver has ever done any mazes before, he might adopt a previously used strategy. Also, in deciding which information is relevant, the problem-solver might make note of the fact that the area just to the left at the bottom of the maze is an enclosed space.