Creative thinking and problem solving

Question 1

what is a pros and cons chart

Answer 1

weigh up pros and cons against each other , prioritise issues, decide on weighting technique to make decision

Question 2

SWOT analysis

Answer 2

identify strengths, weaknesses,( internal factors) opportunities and threats (external factors) once issues have been identified , method of solving can be decided on

Question 3

PESTLE

Answer 3

political, physical, economic, social, technological, legal , environmental identifies issues in macro environemnt

Question 4

scenario analysis

Answer 4

similar to decision tree, analyses possible future events by considering alternative outcomes, improves decision making because multiple outcomes analysed

Question 5

what is a value chain analysis

Answer 5

help gain competitive advantage

used to analyse costs of components parts of products with ultimate aim of reducing these costs , increasing value of products

organisation is seen as a series of activities where input is converted to output which supplies value to consumer.

Question 6

what are the steps in a value chain analysis

Answer 6

1. divide business into different activities or processes
2. describe each process, starting with input (department) and finishing with production and sales
3. identify areas critical to create a competitive advantage and decide if business can handle this internally or need to acquire more skills

Question 7

what is the delphi technique

Answer 7

a panel is used to make forecasts based on their superior knowledge of a topic , names kept anonymous

Question 8

what does RIMS strategy stand for

Answer 8

rational interaction for moral sensitivity strategy

Question 9

what is RIMS

Answer 9

gauge correctness of collective action
focuses on process by which ethical decisions are made, all participants in discourse equal, all forms of coercion removed. looked at most rational argument
proven facts only
process of communication driven by strongest rational argument
universalisation within group
knowledge formulation open to future revisions

Question 10

what is the DRIVE technique

Answer 10

Define- problem and solution
Review- background and areas
Identify- real problem, related issues, possible solution
Verify - desired aim, possible solutions solve problem
Execute- implement, evaluate

Question 11

what is a drill down anaysis

Answer 11

complex problems broken down into manageable chunks

Question 12

drill down analysis method

Answer 12

1. write problem on left hand side down page
2. break it up like a tree diagram asking questions about problem
3. continue doing this until you get most basic factors left
4. look at possible solutions