USC Problem Solving Discussion

1. Discuss the barriers faced by a group or team while problem solving. Explain with examples.

Consider This: This helps an individual feel comfortable in any work environment.

By Steven Beebe and John Masterson
Presentations Prepared By:
Renee Brokaw
University of Tampa
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Part IIl
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Chapter 10
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 Group assesses present situation
 Group identifies group goals
 Group identifies several alternatives
 Group identifies positive & negative
consequences of alternatives
 Group selects alternative
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 Experts inside and outside of groups
 Individual rankings
 Random choice (coin tosses)
 Majority vote
 Decision by minority
 Consensus
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 Accurately assesses the situation
 Establishes clear goals
 Identifies positive and negative
consequences of decision making
 Has accurate information
 Draws reasonable conclusions
 Encourages active participation
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▪ Fails to analyze present situation
accurately
▪ Fails to establish clear & appropriate goal
▪ Fails to identify positive & negative
consequences
▪ Uses bad information
▪ Has no critical thinking about data
▪ Involves too few people in discussion
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 Use clear criteria
 Focus on quality
 Break up bigger
issues into
smaller ones
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 Is decision a routine decision or unusual
decision?
 Have you or others made similar
decisions in the past?
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1.
Undesirable situation
2.
Goal: What the group wants to achieve
3.
Obstacle: Something that keeps a group
from achieving its goal
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1.
Lack of structure
2.
Lack of cultural sensitivity
3.
Lack of planning
4.
Lack of resources
5.
Wrong people present
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6.
Time pressure
7.
Poor communication
8.
Unsupportive social climate
9.
Negative attitudes
10. Lack of problem solving skills
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 Descriptive: focuses on how groups
solve problems
 Functional: identifies key task
requirements that contribute to effective
problem solving
 Prescriptive: recommends specific
agendas and techniques to improve
group performance
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Phase 1. Orientation (forming)
Phase 2. Conflict (storming)
Phase 3. Emergence (norming)
Phase 4. Reinforcement (performing)
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 There is a natural or normal process of
group problem solving
 Group will follow a normal problem solving
approach unless some external authority
interferes with freedom to solve problem
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 Dialectical
▪ Competing tensions within the group
▪ Stability versus instability
▪ Familiar patterns versus change
▪ The team versus the individual
▪ Structure versus interaction
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 Spiraling Model
▪ Cycle or spiral through phases throughout
group experience
 Teams cycle through their work, TIP
▪ T – Dimensions of time
▪ I – Interaction
▪ P – Performance
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 Punctuated Equilibrium Model
Breakpoint
Burst of
Activity
Inertia
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 Multi-Sequence Model
▪ Activity tracks that do not follow logical steps
▪ Task process
▪ Relational activities
▪ Topical focus
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1. Develop accurate understanding of
problem
2. Develop requirements for acceptable
choice
3. Develop alternatives to solve problem
4. Assess positive features of alternatives
5. Assess negative features of alternatives
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 Group members analyze information
appropriately
 Generate an ample number of ideas
 Evaluate information and solutions
 Remain sensitive to others
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 Establish clear criteria
 See problem from variety of viewpoints
 Gather data and research issues
 Use evidence effectively to reach valid
conclusion
 Ask appropriate questions
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 Search for many alternatives or solutions
to problem
 Make high-quality statements to group
 Take vacation from problem to revitalize
group
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 Examine pros and cons of potential
solutions
 Evaluate opinions and assumptions of
others
 Test solutions to see if meet preestablished criteria
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 Shows concern for both group task
and feelings of others
 Listens to minority arguments and
opinions
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 Invites group members to perform certain
behaviors in specific order to achieve goal
 Offers specific suggestions for structuring
group’s problem solving agenda
 Provides group roadmap to achieve
consensus
 Offers recommendations for sequencing
communication in group
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 Develop mindfulness
 Be flexible
 Tolerate uncertainty and ambiguity
 Resist stereotyping and making negative
judgments
 Ask questions
 Be other-oriented
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