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 jonger 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 w i
Review the six-step problem solving process outlined in the webtext, based on the 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:
- Define the problem in the scenario that you have chasen.
- Analyze the problem in the scenario.
- Generate options for solving the problem in the scenario.
- Evaluate the options for solving the problem.
- Decide on the best option for solving the problem.
- Explain how you will implement the decision made and reflect on whether this option was the most
effective.
Sample Solution
