How did we come to know that the difficulty exists? OD Problem Solving Process based on Edgar H. Schein’s Approach. Moving on, you will then decide which leadership style will be best for making this decision. Chances are you’ve heard of the SWOT Analysis before. We decide to eat. There are also more complex decision-making models like the “six hats method,” which we will discuss later. Now, instead of biological sex being assumed as a factor that creates inherent communication differences, group communication scholars see that men and women both exhibit a range of behaviors that are more or less feminine or masculine. To successfully use this method, the person wearing the Blue Hat should be familiar with different sequences and plan some of the thinking patterns ahead of time based on the problem and the group members. Group members can more easily make decisions about a problem when other groups have similarly experienced it. To use the nominal group technique, do the following: During the first step, have group members work quietly, in the same space, to write down every idea they have to address the task or problem they face. It’s frustrating to get to a crucial point in building or fixing something only to realize that you have to unscrew a support board that you already screwed in, have to drive back to the hardware store to get something that you didn’t think to get earlier, or have to completely start over. The facilitator then takes up the secret ballots and reviews them in a random order, noting the rankings of each idea. The urgency of a decision can have a major influence on the decision-making process. Personal Attributes and Professionalism, III. Second, the group must have access to flows of information. Of the three main problems facing group presenters, which do you think is the most challenging and why? Despite its age, this model remains a valuable approach to problem solving. I’ve recently taken up some carpentry projects as a functional hobby, and I have developed a great respect for the importance of advanced planning. Principles of Organization and Time Management, 22. Individual group members can’t know what other group members are thinking, whether or not they are doing their work, and how committed they are to the group. It is perfectly OK for a group member to question another person’s idea by asking something like “What do you mean?” or “Could you explain your reasoning more?” Discussions at this stage may reveal a need to return to previous steps to better define or more fully analyze a problem. If so, now? Think about or brainstorm possible options and solutions. A problem occurs when something is not behaving as it should, something is deviating from the norm or something goes wrong. Strategies for Effective Communication, 20. They may have highly creative ways to address the problem, but cannot explain why they have chosen this approach. While these three general elements are present in each problem, the group should also address specific characteristics of the problem. While it may be easier for a group to assign each member to create a five-minute segment and then transition from one person to the next, this is definitely not the most engaging method. With major decisions, this may involve detailed planning to ensure that all parts of the operation are informed of their part in the change. Although this can be positive, be cautious that this isn’t a sign of groupthink. Valuable for many reasons – such as showing how you can coordinate, motivate and lead a successful team. Overview. Problems of all sorts have three common components (Adams & Galanes, 2009): Discussion of these three elements of a problem helps the group tailor its problem-solving process, as each problem will vary. Unlike majority rule, one person or party can have control over the decision-making process. This type of decision making is more similar to that used by monarchs and dictators. Who/what is involved? In terms of advantages, research finds that, in general, groups that are culturally heterogeneous have better overall performance than more homogenous groups (Haslett & Ruebush, 1999). This ease of communication can make group work more efficient, but the homogeneity may sacrifice some creativity. To limit a person’s apprehension with sharing his or her ideas and to ensure that each idea is shared, I have asked group members to exchange lists with someone else so they can share ideas from the list they receive without fear of being personally judged. Problem solving differs fundamentally from decision making. In general, groups deal with more uncertainty in decision making than do individuals because of the increased number of variables that comes with adding more people to a situation. For each of the two following scenarios, discuss how the situational context created by these variables might affect the group’s communication climate and the way it goes about addressing its problem. The most effective method uses both rational and intuitive or creative approaches. We should be sensitive but not let sensitivity create fear of “doing something wrong” that then prevents us from having meaningful interactions. Combined with the parallel thinking process, this technique helps groups think more effectively. Access to archives, electronic databases, and individuals with relevant experience is necessary to obtain any relevant information about similar problems or to do research on a new or unique problem. Before implementation, groups should also determine how and when they would assess the effectiveness of the solution by asking, “How will we know if the solution is working or not?” Since solution assessment will vary based on whether or not the group is disbanded, groups should also consider the following questions: If the group disbands after implementation, who will be responsible for assessing the solution? The Problem-Solving Process. But situational context, as we discussed before, can also influence our decision making. So in this section we will learn some practices that will prepare us for good decision making and some specific techniques we can use to help us reach a final decision. Most decisions are reached without requiring any complex decision making process: We’re hungry? problem-solving process and the leader taking on . This method is useful because the procedure involves all group members systematically, which fixes the problem of uneven participation during discussions. (St. Paul, MN: West Publishing, 1991), 77–78. Especially important is the commitment to scheduling time to rehearse the presentation. The most commonly used method is brainstorming, although most people don’t follow the recommended steps of brainstorming. Aft… The starting point of any decision making and problem solving process begins when pending decisions, recommendations and solutions are broken down into (8) essential components (it's … Groups should also assess the potential effects of the narrowed list of solutions. Having the ability to … During this step, solutions can be critically evaluated based on their credibility, completeness, and worth. Either way, there are many self-handicaps that can prevent leaders from solving problems to the best of their ability. Of course, many of the problems that you will face in the kitchen are much more complex than a malfunctioning oven. Ideally, the highest ranked idea can then be discussed and decided on. 1 Have you got a problem to solve or a decision to make? The originator of the term brainstorming said the following four rules must be followed for the technique to be effective (Osborn, 1959): To make brainstorming more of a decision-making method rather than an idea-generating method, group communication scholars have suggested additional steps that precede and follow brainstorming (Cragan & Wright, 1991). Then the leader could begin an evaluation sequence starting with two minutes of “Yellow Hat thinking” to identify potential positive outcomes, then “Black Hat thinking” to allow group members to express reservations about ideas and point out potential problems, then “Red Hat thinking” to get people’s gut reactions to the previous discussion, then “Green Hat thinking” to identify other possible solutions that are more tailored to the group’s situation or completely new approaches. Again, solutions should not be evaluated at this point, only proposed and clarified. Practicing with visual aids and having one person control them may help prevent this. In order to effectively manage and run a successful organization, leadership must guide their employees and develop problem-solving techniques. Problem solving and decision making belong together. A group’s situational context affects decision making. In other situations, the process can drag on for weeks or even months. The results of such thinking include the combined bar and laundromat and the coffee places with Internet access for customers. Good decision making will help you solve problems, build solutions, and build skills.