PHI
210 Assignment 2 Problem Solving
PHI 210 Assignment 2 Problem Solving
Due Week 9 and worth 150 points
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.
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.
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.
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