Problem Solving, writing homework help

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.