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
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:
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.