Problem Solving Due Week 9 And Worth 150 Points 136546

Problem Solving Due Week 9 and Worth 150 Pointswhen Face

When faced with a problem, what do you do to solve it? This assignment asks you to apply a six-step 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. Choose one (1) of the problem scenarios as a topic for your paper (note: your professor must approve your topic before you begin).

Scenario 1: You have worked at your company for eleven (11) years. You have returned to college to earn a Bachelor’s degree to increase your chances for a promotion. You are nearly finished with your degree when a supervisor’s position becomes available in another state, starting in two weeks during your final exam period. The position offers a $15,000 salary increase, a car allowance, and relocation expenses. Your former supervisor is recommending you for the role. The company expects you to have a Master’s degree in addition to your Bachelor’s. Your current company offers tuition reimbursement; the new company does not.

Scenario 2: Your child is excited about a school project but is missing some required items and could use some ideas for improvement. You want to encourage your child's responsibility for learning, avoiding taking over the project as your parents once did for you. You see a parent in the grocery store who has spent a lot on supplies and is working on the project during work hours.

Scenario 3: Managing two jobs, two classes, children’s activities, elderly parents, siblings, and health concerns creates a complex balancing act. You aim to complete your degree in two years amidst these responsibilities and health issues.

Scenario 4: As a sales representative, you notice a coworker arriving early and suspect they spend more time at the office flattering the boss than working leads. Your sales have decreased, and you wonder about your coworker’s effectiveness.

Scenario 5: Professor’s Choice – a problem scenario provided by your professor.

Scenario 6: Student’s Choice – a problem scenario created by you.

Review the six-step problem-solving process: Step One: Define the problem; Step Two: Analyze it; Step Three: Generate options; Step Four: Evaluate options; Step Five: Make your decision; Step Six: Implement and reflect. Write a 4-5 page paper addressing the following:

• Define the problem in your chosen scenario.
• Analyze the problem thoroughly.
• Generate potential solutions.
• Evaluate each solution's advantages and disadvantages.
• Decide on the best solution.
• Explain how to implement the decision and reflect on whether the chosen option was most effective.

The paper should include an introduction, body paragraphs with clear topic sentences and supporting details, and a conclusion. Follow proper grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling. Format your paper according to APA style, including a cover page and reference page (not counted in the page length). Use Times New Roman, size 12 font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins.

Submit your draft via Turnitin, then upload the originality report and final draft to Blackboard. Your work should demonstrate critical thinking, organization, and clarity.

Paper For Above instruction

The problem-solving process is fundamental to making effective decisions in both personal and professional contexts. Applying this systematic approach enables individuals to address complex issues methodically, considering all relevant factors and alternatives. To illustrate this process, I will focus on Scenario 1, which involves a professional decision-making challenge: whether to accept a new job opportunity that conflicts with final exams and degree completion.

Defining the Problem

The core problem in Scenario 1 is the dilemma of choosing between accepting a new job offer that promises career advancement but conflicts with the final exams necessary to complete a Bachelor’s degree. The individual has invested eleven years in their current company, where their supervisor recommends them for a promotion. The new position offers substantial benefits, including a salary increase, car allowance, and relocation expenses; however, it coincides with crucial academic commitments. The challenge lies in deciding whether to prioritize immediate career growth and financial benefits or educational attainment and long-term professional development.

Analyzing the Problem

Analyzing this problem involves examining the implications of each option. Accepting the new job could accelerate career progression and provide immediate financial benefits, which may lead to improved job security and satisfaction. On the other hand, taking the job without completing the degree might limit future opportunities, as the company expects a Master’s degree for managerial roles. Additionally, the individual must consider the timing—starting the new job during final exams necessitates managing academic responsibilities alongside the transition. Emotional factors such as stress, uncertainty, and personal ambition also influence the decision. The lack of tuition reimbursement at the new company contrasts with the current employer's support, adding financial considerations to the analysis.

Generating Options

• Option 1: Decline the new job opportunity to complete the degree uninterrupted, then consider applying for similar positions later.
• Option 2: Accept the job, manage academic responsibilities through flexible scheduling or emergency leave, and seek support from the current employer or academic advisors.
• Option 3: Negotiate with the prospective employer to delay the start date until after final exams and degree completion.
• Option 4: Seek alternative employment opportunities that align better with academic deadlines and offer comparable benefits.

Evaluating Options

Declining the offer ensures academic success and opens doors for future promotions with the degree completed; however, it delays career advancement and income increase. Accepting the job immediately may provide swift career progression but risks academic failure or increased stress, possibly affecting both performance and health. Negotiating a start date offers a compromise, allowing the individual to finish their degree and start the new role afterward, but this may not always be feasible given employer constraints. Exploring alternative jobs may provide a similar benefit without academic conflicts, but may involve additional job search efforts and uncertainty. Each option carries pros and cons, which must be balanced against personal priorities and long-term goals.

Deciding on the Best Option

Considering the analysis and evaluation, negotiating a delayed start appears most practical. It allows the individual to complete their degree, satisfying professional and personal aspirations, without sacrificing the immediate opportunity for advancement. Communicating this need early with the prospective employer demonstrates professionalism and preserves the relationship, potentially securing favorable terms. This choice aligns with goal setting—completing education while also planning for future career growth.

Implementation and Reflection

To implement this decision, the individual should contact the employer promptly, explaining the importance of completing academic commitments and requesting a deferred start date. They should articulate their enthusiasm for the role and willingness to begin soon after graduation, emphasizing their commitment and value. Reflection involves assessing whether this approach was effective; success depends on clear communication and employer flexibility. If negotiations succeed, the individual gains the benefits of both educational achievement and career advancement. If not, they must weigh whether to accept the initial offer or seek other opportunities. Overall, this systematic decision-making process facilitates a balanced approach, reducing regrets and enhancing professional and educational outcomes.

Conclusion

Applying the six-step problem-solving process to Scenario 1 demonstrates how a structured approach aids in making informed decisions amidst competing priorities. Defining, analyzing, generating options, evaluating, deciding, and implementing foster clarity and confidence. In this case, negotiating a delayed start aligns with personal goals and professional ambitions, illustrating the importance of critical evaluation and proactive communication. Engaging systematically with problems ensures better outcomes and personal growth, embodying Voltaire’s adage that sustained thinking can conquer any problem.

References

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• Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
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• Vroom, V. H., & Yetton, P. W. (1973). Leadership and decision-making. University of Pittsburgh Pre.
• Wilson, T. D. (2002). Strangers to Ourselves: Discovering the Adaptive Unconscious. Harvard University Press.
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• Benjamin, B. (2017). Critical thinking and decision-making: A guide to analytical thinking. Routledge.