When faced  with a problem, what do you do to solve it?

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 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.

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