Assignment 2: Problem Solving

Due Week 9 and worth 150 pointsWhen

faced with a problem, what do you do to solve it? This assignment asks

you to apply a six-step to problem solving process to a specific problem

scenario. You will write a paper that presents a synthesis of your

ideas about solving the problem using this systematic approach. As

Voltaire said, “No problem can withstand the assault of sustained

thinking.”Choose

one (1) of the problem scenarios as a topic choice for your paper

(Note: Your professor must approve your topic choice before you begin

work on the assignment.)Scenario

1: You have worked at your company for eleven (11) years. You have

returned to college to earn a Bachelor’s degree in order to increase

your chances for a promotion. You are nearly finished with your degree,

when a supervisor’s position in a competing company becomes available in

another state. The start date is in two (2) weeks, during your final

exam period for your courses. The position offers a $15,000 per year

salary increase, a car allowance, and relocation expenses. Your former

supervisor works for the company and is recommending you for the

position based on your outstanding job performance; if you want the job,

it’s yours. All of the other supervisors at this level in the company

have Master’s degrees, so you know that you would be expected to earn

your Bachelor’s degree and continue on to a Master’s degree. Your

present company offers tuition reimbursement, but the new company does

not.Scenario

2: Your child comes home from school with an assignment sheet for a

school project. He / she is very excited about the project and begins

work immediately, doing research on the Internet and gathering

materials. You read over the assignment sheet and notice that your child

is not including all of the required items in the project, and you have

some ideas for how to improve the quality of the presentation. You

recently read an article in a parenting magazine about the importance of

a child developing responsibility for his/ her own learning. You recall

the many ways in which your parents took over your school projects.

You, on the other hand, want to encourage your child’s confidence in his

/ her ability to complete a project independently. The next day, you

are at the grocery store when you see a parent of a student in your

child’s class. That parent has spent over $30 in supplies for the

science project and is taking a day off of work to put the pieces of the

project together.Scenario

3: You have two jobs—one during the week from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and

one on Saturday from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm. You are taking two classes—one

that meets from 6:00 to 10:00 pm, and one class online. You have two

kids—one who plays soccer, and one who is in band. You have two elderly

parents who no longer drive. You have two siblings—one who lives two (2)

miles away, and one who lives in another state. You have two (2) papers

due in your classes the same week that one (1) of your children has a

soccer tournament, and the other child has a band concert. You are

coaching the soccer team, and you are in charge of fundraising for the

band. You have a goal to complete your degree in two (2) years. Your

doctor tells you that your blood pressure, your cholesterol, and your

weight are too high and recommends several medications that cost you

nearly $200 per month after your insurance co-pay.Scenario

4: You are a sales representative for a company that encourages staff

to log time in the field and away from the office. You are expected to

begin and end your day at the office. You notice that each day when you

arrive and return another co-worker is already there, and you wonder

whether this person spends most of his / her time at the office. At your

weekly sales meeting, you are informed of your co-workers’ outstanding

sales performance. You suspect that this co-worker is spending more time

flattering the boss instead of working leads in the field, and as a

result is getting the best client referrals. Your own sales numbers have

steadily decreased since this other sales representative was hired.Scenario 5: Professor’s Choice – problem scenario presented by your professor.Scenario 6: Student’s Choice – Problem scenario presented by you.Review

the six-step problem solving process outlined in the webtext, based on

the article “The Problem Solving Process” located at :Step One: Define the problemStep Two: Analyze the problemStep Three: Generate optionsStep Four: Evaluate optionsStep Five: Make your decisionStep Six: Implement and reflectWrite a four to five (4-5) page paper in which you:

1. Define the problem in the scenario that you have chosen.

2. Analyze the problem in the scenario.

3. Generate options for solving the problem in the scenario.

4. Evaluate the options for solving the problem.

5. Decide on the best option for solving the problem.

6. Explain how you will implement the decision made and reflect on whether this option was the most effective.The paper should follow guidelines for clear and organized writing:Include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph.Address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.Adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with

one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA

Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the

student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date.

The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required

assignment page length.The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:Recognize the hindrances to the decision-making process in order to apply problem-solving skills to a variety of situations.Create written work utilizing the concepts of critical thinking.Use technology and information resources to research issues in critical thinking skills and informal logic.

Outline for Paper -Week 9 Final PaperPosted on: Monday, November 21, 2016 12:00:00 AM EST Scenario #: Please copy and paste entire scenario here:

The purpose of this paper is to first define the problem in scenario #

_________. Second, analyze the problem. Third, generate options. Fourth

evaluate options. Fifth, make a decision. Then, finally implement and

reflect.

Step One: Define the problem

One Sentence

Step Two: Analyze the problem

How did it become a problem! (3 reasons)

Step Three: Generate options (possible Solution)

3 Brainstorms 3 Star Bbursting (questions)

Example Example1 Need to replace pipes How much does it cost to replace each pipe? (do not answer question yet)2 Leave the old pipes there What are consequences for leaving old pipes? (do not answer question yet)3 Replace some of the pipes What are consequences for only replacing some of the pipes? (do not answer question yet)

Step Four: Evaluate options

(Answer 3 Star Bursting Questions)How much does it cost to replace each pipe? What are consequences for leaving old pipes? What are consequences for only replacing some of the pipes?

Step Five: Make your decision

Step Six: Implement and reflect ( (Imagine what will happen with decision) Best case scenario and worst case scenario.)

1 pro

1con