Assignment 2: Problem Solving
Due Week 9 and worth 150 points
Whenfaced with a problem, what do you do to solve it? This assignment asksyou to apply a six-step to problem solving process to a specific problemscenario. You will write a paper that presents a synthesis of yourideas about solving the problem using this systematic approach. AsVoltaire said, “No problem can withstand the assault of sustainedthinking.”
Chooseone (1) of the problem scenarios as a topic choice for your paper(Note: Your professor must approve your topic choice before you beginwork on the assignment.)
Scenario1: You have worked at your company for eleven (11) years. You havereturned to college to earn a Bachelor’s degree in order to increaseyour chances for a promotion. You are nearly finished with your degree,when a supervisor’s position in a competing company becomes available inanother state. The start date is in two (2) weeks, during your finalexam period for your courses. The position offers a $15,000 per yearsalary increase, a car allowance, and relocation expenses. Your formersupervisor works for the company and is recommending you for theposition based on your outstanding job performance; if you want the job,it’s yours. All of the other supervisors at this level in the companyhave Master’s degrees, so you know that you would be expected to earnyour Bachelor’s degree and continue on to a Master’s degree. Yourpresent company offers tuition reimbursement, but the new company doesnot.
Scenario2: Your child comes home from school with an assignment sheet for aschool project. He / she is very excited about the project and beginswork immediately, doing research on the Internet and gatheringmaterials. You read over the assignment sheet and notice that your childis not including all of the required items in the project, and you havesome ideas for how to improve the quality of the presentation. Yourecently read an article in a parenting magazine about the importance ofa child developing responsibility for his/ her own learning. You recallthe 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, youare at the grocery store when you see a parent of a student in yourchild’s class. That parent has spent over $30 in supplies for thescience project and is taking a day off of work to put the pieces of theproject together.
Scenario3: You have two jobs—one during the week from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, andone on Saturday from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm. You are taking two classes—onethat meets from 6:00 to 10:00 pm, and one class online. You have twokids—one who plays soccer, and one who is in band. You have two elderlyparents 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) papersdue in your classes the same week that one (1) of your children has asoccer tournament, and the other child has a band concert. You arecoaching the soccer team, and you are in charge of fundraising for theband. You have a goal to complete your degree in two (2) years. Yourdoctor tells you that your blood pressure, your cholesterol, and yourweight are too high and recommends several medications that cost younearly $200 per month after your insurance co-pay.
Scenario4: You are a sales representative for a company that encourages staffto log time in the field and away from the office. You are expected tobegin and end your day at the office. You notice that each day when youarrive and return another co-worker is already there, and you wonderwhether this person spends most of his / her time at the office. At yourweekly sales meeting, you are informed of your co-workers’ outstandingsales performance. You suspect that this co-worker is spending more timeflattering the boss instead of working leads in the field, and as aresult is getting the best client referrals. Your own sales numbers havesteadily 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.
Reviewthe six-step problem solving process outlined in the webtext, based onthe article “The Problem Solving Process” located at http://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), withone-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APAStyle format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
- Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, thestudent’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date.The cover page and the reference page are not included in the requiredassignment 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.
