In this Module 4 Case Assignment you will build upon the Problem Scoping analysis you prepared in your Module1 SLP assignment by:
- Developing three alternative solutions that address the problem definition and criteria that you identified.
- Comparing the pros and cons of those three alternatives.
- Selecting the best alternative.
- Developing a logical argument to support your choice.
Use the
Evaluate Alternative Solutions Template
to complete your Case Assignment.
Note: Developing alternative solutions is essentially a brainstorming process. What can you do to solve the problem? That is an alternative. Proposed alternatives should be consistent with the problem(s) that you identified in your Module1 SLP assignment.
Developing a list of good alternatives involves creativity and avoiding preconceived attitudes (knee-jerk solutions) and assumptions. Guidelines for alternative development include:
- DON'T SETTLE FOR YOUR FIRST IDEA!
- Good designers try to generate as many possible solutions as they can before choosing one that they feel is the best. This creative process of developing ideas is called
ideation.
- Methods of ideation include:
- Examine existing solutions
- Conduct brainstorming sessions. Remember the first rule of brainstorming – every idea is a viable one.
- Develop as many alternatives as possible. When you are done, try to categorize your alternatives. Then develop three alternatives.
- Sketching and doodling to create pictures of possible solutions.
Word Processing and Creative Problem Solving 2 Technology Innovation and Critical Thinking for Health Science Cleavon Battie SEP2017FT-BHS 101 Module 1 SLP Assignment Dr. Jill Johnson 15 Sep 2017 When faced with a problem I find that there are many approaches that can be taken to resolve an issue. It takes time to obtain certain critical skills when engage in Problem Solving (Hereford, n.d.). It doesn’t come overnight, so one must be determined and allow for these skills to develop over time. The motivation behind this paper is to first characterize the problem (Beecroft, Duffy, & Moran, 2002) in scenario # 1. Second, break down and analyze the issue. Third, produce different choices and options from them. Fourth assess and evaluate the alternatives. Fifth, settle on a choice. At last actualize and reflect. · Step One: Define and characterize the problem The issue that I would be confronted within this situation would be the cost of getting my Master's to guarantee that I remained in the position, the other supervisor’s as of now have their Master's which puts me behind them; likewise, the offered organization is not offering to repay me for my educational cost while my present organization will repay the cost to complete my degree. · Step Two: Analyze the problem at hand Moving to another state to pursue a better opportunity offered by my previous supervisor, the position prerequisites a Master's degree that I should complete while working with this organization. I'm as of now completing my Bachelor's degree however the start date of offered job is amid exam week, and I should take my finals to guarantee that I finish my degree on time. The Master's degree would require more work and cash to finish, and the offered organization is not offering to repay me for the educational cost. · Step Three: Generate viable options/ choices The two alternatives that I'm confronted within this situation would be remaining with my present organization, completing my Bachelor's Degree and maybe get promotion over the long haul. My second choice would be taking the new occupation and accepting promotion and a raise, with the assurance that once I completed my Bachelor's I would promptly begin my Master's and complete the program. · Step Four: Evaluate the alternatives Assessing the alternatives that I am confronted with if I remain with my present organization I will be repaid for the educational cost that I would have to pay out of pocket, with the expectations that acquiring my Bachelor's will result in promotion. Then again, even though the new organization is not offering educational cost repayment to get my Master's I am ensured promotion, a car allowance, moving costs, and a $15,000 pay increment for every year; which would allow me to be able to cover expenses for my Master’s with the money saved by me. · Step Five: Settle on a choice by making a decision After precisely looking at my alternatives and at what the two organizations are putting forth, I have chosen to take the new employment and relocate with the goal that I can ensure better and fulfilling future for me. The new position will allow for me to finish my post graduate degree and will guarantee that I achieve a higher level from the various supervisors and get a better pay. · Step Six: Actualize and reflect After actualizing my choice, I now need to intimate my past supervisor that I will accept the position offer, put in my two-week notice at my present organization, and lastly converse with my teachers and check whether there is any way that I can take my final exam right on time to see to it that I am working from start date. Glancing back at the choice I have influenced I feel that it is the best alternative to take, even though I should pay to finish my Master's degree. The advantages alone will guarantee that I am ready to finish Master’s degree with no monetary inconveniences, and I am getting the promotion that I could only hope for with my present organization. In conclusion, the problem-solving approach that was discussed in this paper was to first characterize the problem in scenario # 1. Second, to break down and analyze the issue. Third, produce different choices and options from them. Fourth assess and evaluate the alternatives. Fifth, settle on a choice. At last actualize and reflect. After reading and studying for this assignment, I am confident in my ability to help an organization find root causes of their problems and to find a direction for a solution while simultaneously anticipating obstacles and creating injections to prevent those obstacles from derailing their progress. References: Beecroft, G. D., Duffy, G. L., Moran, J. W. (2002). The Executive Guide to Improvement and Change. ASQ Quality Press, 17-19. Dettmer, W. H. (2007). The Logical Thinking Process: A Systems Approach to Complex Problem Solving. ASQ Quality Press. Hereford, Z. (n.d.). How to Think Critically and Solve Problems. Essential Life Skills. Retrieved 12 Sep 17 from http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/thinkcritically.htm Assignment: Evaluate Alternative Solutions Name: Problem Statement: (one paragraph) · From Module 3 SLP, incorporating any feedback that you received from your professor Alternative #1 · Describe your first proposed alternative solution in one or two paragraphs. · Describe how it relates to the constraints and criteria you identified in your problem scoping document in an additional one or two paragraphs. Alternative #2 · Describe your second proposed alternative solution in one or two paragraphs. · Describe how it relates to the constraints and criteria you identified in your problem scoping document in an additional one or two paragraphs. Alternative #3 · Describe your third proposed alternative solution in one or two paragraphs. · Describe how it relates to the constraints and criteria you identified in your problem scoping document in an additional one or two paragraphs. Compare the Three Alternatives · Using Word or Excel tools, create a table to compare the pros and cons of each alternative in relation to the criteria you identified in your problem scoping document, e.g.: Criteria Alternatives Criterion A Criterion B Criterion C Alternative #1 Pro: Con: Pro: Con: Pro: Con: Alternative #2 Pro: Con: Pro: Con: Pro: Con: Alternative #3 Pro: Con: Pro: Con: Pro: Con: Note: Criterion is singular, Criteria is plural. Select the Best Alternative · Based on your comparative analysis of the pros and cons of each alternative in relation to the criteria, identify the best alternative, and explain why you believe it is the best alternative based on your analysis in a paragraph. Conclusion · Add a closing paragraph in which you briefly summarize the problem you were trying to solve, what you did, the solution you propose, and why and how it will help to resolve that problem.