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Problem Solving and Decision Making

The document outlines different methods for team problem solving and decision making. It discusses that the appropriate method depends on the team's development stage and the complexity of the issue. A general 10-step problem solving process is described that involves defining the problem, considering solutions, deciding on an action plan, and following up on results. Additionally, decision making methods are suggested based on the time available and impact of the decision. Smart decision making techniques include encouraging diverse opinions, critical thinking, and ensuring all team members contribute relevant information.

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Co Lyde
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81 views

Problem Solving and Decision Making

The document outlines different methods for team problem solving and decision making. It discusses that the appropriate method depends on the team's development stage and the complexity of the issue. A general 10-step problem solving process is described that involves defining the problem, considering solutions, deciding on an action plan, and following up on results. Additionally, decision making methods are suggested based on the time available and impact of the decision. Smart decision making techniques include encouraging diverse opinions, critical thinking, and ensuring all team members contribute relevant information.

Uploaded by

Co Lyde
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Overview

 Different stages of team development call for different problem solving methods
 Problem solving requires the use of a systematic process
 The appropriate decision making method is determined by the amount of time available for the decision and the impact of the decision
 Effective decision making requires the use of smart techniques

2. Problem Solving in Team Development Stages


3. General Problem Solving Steps
1. Defining the problem: phrase problem as probing questions to encourage explorative thinking; make explicit goal statement
2. Establish criteria for evaluating the solution: identify characteristics of a satisfactory solution; distinguish requirements from desires
3. Analyzing the problem: discover the root cause and extent of the problem
4. Considering alternate solutions: brainstorm to generate many ideas before judging any of them
5. Evaluate alternate solutions: use ranking-weighting matrix; check for issues/disagreement
6. Deciding on a solution:  choose best answer to the problem from among all possible solutions
7. Develop action plan: make team assignments with milestones(don’t underestimate time)
8. Implementing the action plan: check for consistency with requirements identified in step 2
9. Following up on the solution:  check up on the implementation and make necessary adjustments
10. Evaluate outcomes and process:  review performance, process, and personal aspects of the solution

4. Decision Making Method Based on Time and Impact


5. Smart Decision Making is Enabled By. . .
 Modeling an open mind and asking for candid opinions
 Asking questions to encourage critical thinking and information disclosure such as:
o What elements would you choose to change?
o What changes would you make to solve …?  
 Aligning rewards to team successes to ensure that individuals share what they know
 Ensuring that team members are aware of relevant roles and unique information required for team success
 Charging some team members to assume a position that opposes the team’s preference
 Creating an alternate team that attempts to find errors and weaknesses in the solution
 Using successive rounds of blind voting interspersed with discussions

6. Additional Readings
 

 ASA Institute (n.d.) Bloom's Critical Thinking Cue Questions.  Retrieved from http://www.asainstitute.org/conference2013/handouts/20-Bloom-Question-Cues-Chart.pdf
 Hartnett, T. (n.d). Consensus decision making. Retrieved from http://www.consensusdecisionmaking.org/
 UMass|Dartmouth (n.d.) 7 steps to effective decision making . Retrieved from https://www.umassd.edu/media/umassdartmouth/fycm/decision_making_process.pdf
 Sunstein, C.R. (2014).  Making dumb groups smarter.  Harvard Business Review, 92(12), 90-98. 

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