• Learning Goals– How to make effective arguments– How to solve problems effectively in groups

• What you should have done for today– Read handout on problem solving (PS)– Prepared for your position for Virtual Team

Exercise (a.k.a. Group PS)

Argumentation & Problem Solving

• Why is argumentation and problem solving important for– Contemporary managers

• Use in making good decisions

– Students• Use in writing and learning material

• How are argumentation and problem solving linked?

Argumentation & Problem Solving

1. Clearly articulate your opinion or hypothesis– Importance of defining variables before relating

them to each other • Sequence of writing assignments in C24

• How does this apply to Virtual Team Problem- Solving exercise

2. Provide evidence to support your hypothesis– Importance of quality of evidence in..

• Writing assignment (empirical/theoretical)

• In Virtual Team exercise (what kinds are possible?)

Making Effective Arguments

3. Acknowledge and answer arguments counter to your opinion

4. Acknowledge and answer evidence that is counter to evidence supporting your opinion

• Role of definitional task for this task

Making Effective Arguments

1. Articulate position

2. Support it with good empirical evidence

3. Acknowledge & answer counter a. Positions

b. Empirical evidence

Therefore, to make effective arguments

• Learning Goals– How to make effective arguments– How to make solve problems effectively

Argumentation & Problem Solving

What is Problem Solving?

–Viewing problems as opportunities or challenges–Looking for solutions as opposed to placing blame. –Having a disciplined approach to defining the problem & identifying and implementing appropriate solutions.

Source: Carolyn B. Thompson, “Problem Solving Tools to Improve Productivity,” Journal of Property Management, Sept. 1999, v64 i5 p. 14.

PDCA

• Problem solving is a cyclical process comprised of four steps– Plan

– Do

– Check

– Act

Source: Paul Kiesow, “PDCA cycle: An approach to problem solving,” Ceramic Industry, Oct. 1994, v143, n5 p. 20.

Figure 19-1

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Problem Solving Steps

• Defining the problem and collecting data

• Analyzing data• Evaluating and selecting potential

solutions• Developing an action plan for

implementation

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Figure 19-2

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Figure 19-3

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Figure 19-4

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Problem Solving Tools and Methods

• Brainstorming: Round Robin, Nominal Group Technique, Post-it notes

• Multivoting• Affinity diagram• Tree diagram• Prioritization matrix• Payoff tables

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Brainstorming Rules

• Set a theme• Set a time limit• Quantity is important• Don’t evaluate• Actively participate• Piggy back - build on ideas of others• Record ideas

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Issues in Problem Solving

• Lack of time

• Team member resistance

• Differing work styles

• Lack of managerial support

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Goals of Problem Solving Chapter

• Define problems within an organizational context

• Analyze the problem to determine its cause• Work with others to generate potential

solutions to organizational problems• Evaluate potential solutions• Prioritize and select the best solution• Create an action plan for implementing the

solutionCopyright © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.