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Week 1 - Introduction To The Module and Creative Decision Making

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89 views25 pages

Week 1 - Introduction To The Module and Creative Decision Making

Increased job satisfaction

Uploaded by

Adriana
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CertHE Skills for the Workplace

BMSK4004

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Laura James
Introduction
Aims & Objectives
AIM: To enable learners to make effective decisions to solve complex
problems in the workplace.

Objectives - At the end of this module the learner will:


• Be able to analyse a complex problem in the context of the
workplace
• Be able to apply decision making techniques when assessing
possible solutions
• Be able to plan how to implement the solution

2
What are your aims and
objectives for the
Module?
What will you be learning each week?

1.Today: Introduction to the Module and Creative Problem Solving

2. Analysing the Organisation

3.Analysing the Environment

4.READING WEEK
What will you be learning each week?

5. Activity Week

6. Assessment Component 1

7. Cause and Effect

8. Implementing Decisions

10. Assessment Support


Problem Solving
Definition?
A problem can be defined as a circumstance where there is
a gap between the situation as you perceive it and what you
believe the situation should be
or
A perceived gap between the existing state and a desired
state, or a deviation from the norm, standard or status quo.

6
Definition of decision making?

Decision Making is the act of choosing


between two or more courses of action.

7
Problem Solving…

Problem solving is a task best


performed by teams and is
reliant on effective
communication

Take time to consider this statement…


Is it true? False? Why?
“Collectively, we can be more insightful, more
intelligent than we can possibly be individually,”
(Peter Senge)

We can solve problems better as a team than we can


alone, which means developing your team’s
collaboration skills will lead to better problem solving
Diagnosing Problems

The first stage in the problem-solving process


is recognising a problem exists:

• Many day-to-day problems can easily be


resolved by taking decisive action

• Problems that are more complex often


require lengthy deliberation.

10
Problems can be diagnosed through

• Continuously monitoring performance

• Listening to colleagues

• Observing colleagues behaviour

• Establishing the cause of the problem

11
What next?

Decide to do nothing
Keep the problem under surveillance
and review it (later date)
Contain the problem
Find a solution
Problem Solving –
Continuous Improvement

Problem Solving is a key component of Continuous Systematic


Improvement
Continuous Systematic Improvement is central to an organisation’s
ability to be competitive and successful
Why is this?
Answer……
Any organisation that is not improving is standing still – if you stand still,
others can overtake you…..and you are, in fact, going backwards!
Problem Categories

Strategic problems - are longer term, wide ranging problems that


have significant consequences for the organisation as a whole

Operational problems - are usually medium to short term and


involve the management of resources to achieve particular objectives

Administrative problems - are usually short term or have a right or


wrong answer according to the policies and procedures of the
organisation.

16
Problem Solving

Nature, Scope & Impact


Scope & Impact

Nature- What is the problem? What/Who is causing it?


Scope – How wide does the problem reach? Who is affected?
Impact – How are they affected?
Decision Making Processes
Decision making can be rational or creative.

The rational approach emphasises the need to evaluate the problem and its
constituent parts in an ordered way.

The creative approach emphasises innovation in a holistic and less regulated way.

19
Rational Decision Making
Define the Problem

Gather the Data

Generate, Evaluate and Choose Options

Implement the Selected Option/s

20
Rational Decision Making
It is a stepped approach.
It favours objectivity.

Advantage: it is tried & tested and we are conditioned to solve


problems in this way.
Disadvantage: we are constrained by bounded rationality (Simon,
1990) i.e. cognitive or resource limitations.

21
Creative Decision Making
Preparation

Incubation

Illumination

Verification

Whetten and Cameron


(2011)
22
The Four Steps of Creativity
Step 1: Preparation
Research: Collect information or data.
Preparation requires a research stage of collecting information or
Preparation data.

Step 2: Incubation
Incubation Percolation: Milling over collected information.

Step 3: Illumination
Illumination Light Bulb Idea: Aha moment.

Step 4: Implementation
Verification Actual Making, creating: Verification

Whetten and Cameron


(2011)
23
Creative Decision Making
It is a less structured approach.
It favours subjectivity and intuition.

Advantage: it may result in better solutions.


Disadvantage: it is less familiar and requires training or an alternative
organisational culture.

24
Creative Problem Solving
BENEFITS: to the Organisation?

• Improvement in products and services

• Reduction in costs

• Improvement in quality

• Improved employee performance

• Increased market share


Creative Problem Solving

BENEFITS: to the Individual?

• Increased personal effectiveness

• Increased involvement

• Greater confidence

• Greater understanding of corporate goals

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