Assignment 2: Problem Solving
Due Week 9 and worth 150 points
When 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 athttp://www.gdrc.org/decision/problem-solve.html:
·
Step One: Define
the problem
·
Step Two:
Analyze the problem
·
Step Three:
Generate options
·
Step Four:
Evaluate options
·
Step Five: Make
your decision
·
Step Six:
Implement and reflect
Write 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.
You should follow these submission guidelines:
·
Submit the paper
draft to Turnitin.com and then submit the originality report with the draft to
Blackboard.
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.
