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.”

You have been working as an entry-level IT Specialist for a company for 7 years now and you’re starting to get weary in that position.  You have applied for multiple other jobs in the company over your tenure there; however, you aren’t being called in for an interview.  It should be noted that your fellow employees are not being called in for an interview, either.  You see a position coming up that is only available to those who are currently working at the company and not anyone outside.  Should you apply?

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: Write a word essay – Evaluate options
    Step Five: Make your decision
    Step Six: Implement and reflect

Write a four to five (4-5) page paper in which you:

    Define the problem in the scenario that you have chosen.
    Analyze the problem in the scenario.
    Generate options for solving the problem in the scenario.
    Write a word essay – Evaluate the options for solving the problem.
    Decide on the best option for solving the problem.
    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.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

    Recognize the hindrances to the decision-making process in order to apply problem-solving skills to a variety of situations.
    Create written work utilizing the concepts of critical thinking.

grading rubric: 

Criteria

 

Unacceptable
Below 60% F

Meets Minimum Expectations
60-69% D

 

Fair
70-79% C

 

Proficient
80-89% B

 

Exemplary
90-100% A

1. Define the problem in the scenario chosen.
Weight: 20%

Did not submit or incompletely defined the problem in the scenario chosen.

Insufficiently defined the problem in the scenario chosen.

Partially defined the problem in the scenario chosen.

Satisfactorily defined the problem in the scenario chosen.
.

Thoroughly defined the problem in the scenario chosen.

2. Analyze the problem in the scenario.
Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely analyzed the problem in the scenario.

Insufficiently
analyzed the problem in the scenario.

Partially analyzed the problem in the scenario.

Satisfactorily
analyzed the problem in the scenario.

Thoroughly
analyzed the problem in the scenario.

3. Generate options for solving the problem in the scenario.
Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely generated options for solving the problem in the scenario.

Insufficiently generated options for solving the problem in the scenario.

Partially generated options for solving the problem in the scenario.

Satisfactorily generated options for solving the problem in the scenario.

Thoroughly generated options for solving the problem in the scenario.

4. Write a word essay – Evaluate the options for solving the problem.
Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely evaluated the options for solving the problem.

Insufficiently evaluated the options for solving the problem.

Partially evaluated the options for solving the problem.

Satisfactorily evaluated the options for solving the problem.

Thoroughly evaluated the options for solving the problem.

5. Decide on the best option for solving the problem
Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely decided on the best option for solving the problem.

Insufficiently decided on the best option for solving the problem.

Partially decided on the best option for solving the problem.

Satisfactorily decided on the best option for solving the problem.

Thoroughly decided 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.
Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely explained how the decision made will be implemented and reflected on whether this option was the most effective.

Insufficiently explained how the decision made will be implemented and reflected on whether this option was the most effective.

Partially explained how the decision made will be implemented and reflected on whether this option was the most effective.

Satisfactorily explained how the decision made will be implemented and reflected on whether this option was the most effective.

Thoroughly explained how the decision made will be implemented and reflected on whether this option was the most effective.

7. Follow APA Style requirements for format, in-text citation of quotes and paraphrases, and references page.
Weight: 10%

Did not complete the assignment or had more than 9 errors in following APA Style requirements.

Had 8-9 errors in following APA Style requirements.

Had 6-7 different errors in following APA Style requirements.

Had 4-5 different errors in following APA Style requirements.

Had 0-3 different errors in following APA Style requirements.

8. Follow guidelines for clear and organized writing: include an introductory and concluding paragraph; address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.
Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely followed guidelines for clear and organized writing.

Insufficiently followed guidelines for clear and organized writing: did not include an introductory and / or concluding paragraph; did not address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.

Partially followed guidelines for clear and organized writing: included a partially developed introductory and / or concluding paragraph; partially addressed main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.

Sufficiently followed guidelines for clear and organized writing: included an introductory and concluding paragraph; sufficiently addressed main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.

Fully followed guidelines for clear and organized writing: included an engaging introductory and thoughtful concluding paragraph; fully addressed main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and detailed supporting sentences.

9. Adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.
Weight: 10%

Did not complete the assignment or had more than 9 errors in grammar, punctuation, mechanics, spelling.

Had 8-9 errors in grammar, grammar, punctuation, mechanics, spelling.

Had 6-7 different errors in grammar, punctuation, mechanics, spelling.

Had 4-5 different errors in grammar, grammar, punctuation, mechanics, spelling.

Had 0-3 different errors in grammar, punctuation, mechanics, spelling.

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