Problem Solving
Assignment 3: Problem Solving
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 4: You have a major exam that is due by Sunday night at 11:59pm and it covers the entire first-half of the term. You are scheduled for 55 hours that week at work and, because it’s a busy time of the year, your employer has insisted no one was allowed to call-in without a doctor’s excuse. Penalty for this would be a 2-week suspension without pay. Your grades have been poor all term long and if you fail this test, you will fail out of the school. To add to your week, your best friend is having a monster party on Saturday night that you’ve been dying to go to for months.
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 chosen.
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.
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.
Note: This assignment will be automatically run through SafeAssign plagiarism detection software in order to check for originality, and a report will be sent to your instructor.
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.
Click here to view the grading rubric.
Solution Preview
The best problem-solving decisions are made from thorough evaluation and understanding of the cause of an issue (Mayers, 1992). In this scenario, we can start by analyzing the problem as an issue of time. In this scenario, time can be established as the main issue because there are deadlines to be met. While the scenario explains to us that the deadline for the exam will be on Sunday at 11.59 pm, it also storms us with a load of other activities that will be occurring within the same time limit.
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