Creative thinking and Problem-solving 💕🍭

Question 1

Differences between Decision making and Problem Solving :

Answer 1

Decision making :

• Often done by one person/senior management. This makes decision-making more authoritative.
• The personal senior management will continue various alternatives before deciding on the best one

Problem solving :

• Problems can be solved by group team an individual team member. This makes problem-solving more inclusive.
• The team or group will identify various solutions and then critically evaluate each one.

Question 2

Outline/explain the steps in problem solving :

Answer 2

1) Identify the problem

• Acknowledge that there is a problem

2) Define the problem

• have an in-depth understanding of the nature of the problem

3) Identify alternative solutions

• identify different possible solutions using a problem-solving techniques such as brainstorming.

4) Evaluate alternative solutions

• Use critical evaluation and analytical skills to evaluate each solution.

5) Choose the best solution

• Set the best solution considering aspects such as time cost and risk involved

6) Formulate develop an action plan/ strategy

7) Implement the action plan

8)Evaluate the solution action plan

Question 3

Problem solving techniques:

Delphi technique

-Ways to apply it.

Answer 3

Ways to apply the Delphi technique

• The business must invite a panel of experts to research the challenges it might be facing.
• Experts do not have to be in one place in the contact individually.
• Experts will then be requested to send individual responses to the questionnaire
• After consensus the experts will then choose the best solution on the report

Question 4

Problem solving technique

Impact of the Delphi technique on bussinesses

Answer 4

Positives/advantages

• Bussinesses may use groups of experts without bringing them together
• Information received from experts can be used to solve complex business problems

Negatives/disadvantages

• it’s an EXPENSIVE technique to use because of its high administration costs
• Not all experts are willing or interested to give feedback or to complete questionnaires.

Question 5

Force field analysis

-ways in which businesses can apply force field analysis

Answer 5

• Weighs up positives and negatives, then decide if project is viable
• Choose force with highest score as solution
• If project is viable, find ways to increase the forces for change
• Identify priorities and develop an action plan

Question 6

Force field analysis

The impact of the force field analysis

Answer 6

Positives/advantages

• Employees develop and grow with bussinesses because they are included in the process
• Enables bussinesses to strengthen driving forces and weaken restraining forces

Negatives/disadvantages

• Requires participation of all bussiness units
• it’s time consuming since bussiness must stabilize before more changes can be made

Question 7

Brainstorming

-Ways in which the businesses can apply the brainstorming technique

Answer 7

• The bussiness must define the problem clearly so that all participants understand it
• The group must set a time limit for each brainstorming session
• Each suggestion must be used to inspire new thoughts or ideas from other group members

Question 8

Brainstorming

• The impact of brainstorming on bussinesses

Answer 8

Positives/Advantages

• Beter or unique solutions and/or ideas are developed through collective contributions and will give the bussiness competitive advantage
• Productivity increases if the business generates ideas that use time and money effectively

Negatives/disadvantages

• Some team members may dominate the discussion and influence other group members
• Discussion may result in conflict because of differences in opinions