#4#756224# Problem Solving part 2
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School
Kaplan University**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
BUSINESS 435-01
Subject
Management
Date
Dec 17, 2024
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6
Uploaded by Nabily
Problem-Solving: Part 2IntroductionProblems are part of human life and everyone is susceptible to encountering problems either directly or indirectly (Wang, 82). However, it is not enough to just live with the problems, they are better solved and settled. In this regard, most people engage in problem-solving moreoften and in the process, make critical decisions (Taylor, 49) In this assignment, a step-by-step approach is used to solve the problem in the case scenario 1 of Week 7 assignment, Problem-Solving: Part 1. Scenario 1“You have worked at your company for 11 years. You have returned to college to earn a Bachelor's degree to increase your chances of a promotion. You are nearly finished with yourdegree when a supervisor's position in a competing company becomes available in another state. The start date is in two 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 to a Master's degree. Your current company offers tuition reimbursement, but the new company does not” (Week 7 assignment, Problem-Solving: Part 1).Step 1: Defining the ProblemThis step involves finding out what is causing the problem, what are the challenges leading tothe problem, and what transpired before the problem occurred (Taylor, 51). Additionally, this
step involves stating the problem precisely and clearly regarding the situation, circumstances,and the timing of the problem.In scenario 1 presented here, for instance, the employee in question has worked for his company for about 11 years. The company has allowed him to pursue his bachelor’s degree, or even further, for a possible job promotion upon completion. However, just before sitting his last exams for the undergraduate degree, an opportunity arises where another company is ready to offer him a job with better terms and salary. Unfortunately, the new company does not allow further education and other supervisors at this level in the company have Master's degrees. The problem in this scenario is, the dilemma to choose either to stay in his current job position in the company or choose to move to a new job position that has better pay and terms of employment. Step 2: Analyzing the problemThis step involves deep thinking on the issue to find out what could have caused the problem and getting to the route-course of the whole issue (Chua, 192). In scenario 1, for instance, the person involved has worked in his current company for about 11 years. During this period, the employee has shown exemplary performance through his hard work and dedication. In response, his former supervisor has acknowledged his performance and recommended him for the job in the new company. Nevertheless, since the current company allows further education, the employee has pursued a bachelor's degree which allows him to get a job promotion. When just about to finish his bachelor’s degree, a new job opportunity arises in a different company. The employee is pleased with the salary and terms of employment by the new company. He is also encouraged by his former supervisor who recommends him for the job in the new company. However, the employee is reluctant to join the new company because it does not offer further education for its
employee. Additionally, everyone in the new position he is yet to join has got a master's degree yet he does not have one. analyzing these moves, first, the new job requires him to join in two weeks at the same time he will be having his final exams. Therefore, this means that he would not finish his degree on time if he chooses to join the new job. Secondly, if he joins the new job, he may not get the tuition incentives and time to continue and finish his studies. In this regard, he may choose to pay the fee himself thus cutting down on the salary he is going to be paid. He may later get a chance to advance in another company but quitting his current job would deny him the time and tuition incentives he is receiving. Critically, the employee has to consider the financial stability and the cost of living to make up a decision.Step 3: Generating potential optionsIn this step, various strategies for solving the problem are weighed out. All the possible solutions and choices are listed creatively to ensure that all solutions are weighed out (Chua, 193). In doing so, both the negative and positive as well as advantages and disadvantages of the possible solutions are considered. For scenario 1, the possible options that the employee might choose from include; to inquire if the new company can allow him to report for the job later after finishing his exams. In case this is possible, the employee will be able to finish his final exams and have his bachelor's degree secured at the right time. Additionally, the allowed time would allow him to research to know more about the new company and in case there is anything suspicious, he may choose not to take the offer. Optionally, being he is already an asset in the current company, the employee may ask the employer to offer him a pay rise. On the other hand, the employee may consult and negotiate with the new company if they can give him tuition incentives to further his education.Step 4: Evaluating the best option
This step involves evaluating all the listed possible solutions by considering the one with more advantages than disadvantages and arranging chronologically from among the listed possible solutions (Taylor, 52). In case the new company agrees to postpone his reporting date, the employee will have enough time to do his final exam and finish his degree and still secure the new job. Moreover,this will allow him to find out any possible risks of working in the new company. Secondly, if his current employer accepts to review his salary and offer him a pay rise, the employee will be able to manage his finances, further his education, and wait for future lucrative job positions. Since the new company pays a good salary, even if the company refuses to offer him tuition incentives, he may choose to join and pay for his studies using his salary.Step 5: Deciding on the best optionIn this step, the best solution with more advantages than disadvantages is selected as the best solution for the problem (Taylor, 53).For scenario 1, the options would be either to consider moving to the new job or staying in the current job. After considering all the potential options and evaluating them critically, the best option that the person should choose in this scenario would be to remain in his current company and ask for a salary review for a possible pay rise. Since he does not know much to expect in the new company, he should instead consider the advantages that he will be given when he decides to remain in the current company. For instance, he will have to complete his degree on time and even start his master’s degree. Additionally, being that he has worked for the company for 11 years, he is an asset, the company has approved his outstanding performance and may offer him even better terms and pay. Upon completing his further studies, a chance of advancing in another company might come again.
Step 6: Implementing the best option This step involves effecting the decision by putting the plan into action (Chua, 194). It also involves testing if the decision made may work. Since the employee has chosen to stay in the current job, he can go ahead and request a pay rise. Secondly, he should consider continuing to finish his exams and secure his bachelor's degree on time. He will also be able to pursue a master's degree and stand a chance to get another opportunity for a better company with better working conditions and pay.Conclusion Problem-solving requires tactical ways of solving an issue by making the best decision out of a dilemma situation. When people engage in problem-solving, they define the problem at hand, consider all the possible options, make choices from the options and implement the plan. Nevertheless, a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem involves; identifying and defining the problem, generating possible solutions, evaluating alternatives, deciding on the best solution, and finally implementing the solution.
ReferencesChua, B. L., O. S. Tan, and W. C. Liu. "Journey into the problem-solving process: cognitive functions in a PBL environment." Innovations in education and Teaching International 53.2 (2016): 191-202. Taylor, Donald W. "Decision making and problem-solving." Handbook of organizations 20 (2013): 48-86.Wang, Yingxu, and Vincent Chiew. "On the cognitive process of human problem-solving." Cognitive systems research 11.1 (2010): 81-92.Week 7 assignment, Problem-Solving: Part 1