ETM 5251 – Problem Solving and Decision Making
Assignment #1
Target Submission Date: see discussion below
Procedure: Select one of the following two options and submit your response to Dr.
Pratt based on the timing indicated. Email (dpratt@okstate.edu) and/or fax (405-7444654) submission is preferred. You do not need to complete both options, only one is
required and only one will be graded.
Selecting an Option
Selecting the option you will complete and submit should be based on which one will be
the most value adding to you in your current situation. I have no preference and each
option should take approximately the same amount of time to complete. Lecture 2
provides an overview of the concepts involved in each option and should provide
sufficient background to allow you to make a reasoned choice between the options.
Option 1
Option 1 involves completing a problem analysis. This option can be completed after
viewing Lecture 4. Target submission date is approximately one week after viewing
Lecture 4. Details for this option are provided on the following pages.
Option 2
Option 2 involves completing a decision analysis. This option can be completed after
viewing Lecture 6. Target submission date is approximately one week after viewing
Lecture 6. Details for this option are provided on the following pages.
PROBLEM SOLVING / DECISION MAKING
ETM 5251
Assignment 1: Option 1
Reading
This option is based on Chapters 2 and 3 of your text.
Assignment
Select a situation to which you can apply Problem Analysis as defined in Chapter 2 and
illustrated in Chapter 3. This can be a professional or personal situation (your choice).
You probably want to keep your situation relatively simple and straightforward since we
are only working with one of the K-T rational processes at this point. None the less, I
want this to be value-adding so make it real and meaningful.
Complete a Problem Analysis Worksheet for your situation. A blank template for the
worksheet in Excel is available on the course CD under the name
"PA_Worksheet_Template". You may also develop your own worksheet if you wish.
Make sure you include a clear statement of the problem as well as the six columns
addressing each of the four dimensions.
Dimensions: What, Where, When, Extent
Columns: Dimension Name, Specifying Questions, Is, Is Not, Distinctive,
Changed.
Also, make sure you complete the "Possible Causes" and "Most Probable Cause" at the
bottom of the worksheet. See Figures 4, 5, and 6 (White) or Figures 4 and 5 (Blue) in
your text for an example based on the Leaking Oil Filter problem.
Due Date Information
This option is due approximately one week after completing Lecture 4. I am flexible on
the due date, but please keep me posted on your progress and expected submission date if
it will be later than one week after Lecture 4.
PROBLEM SOLVING / DECISION MAKING
ETM 5251
Assignment 1: Option 2
Reading
This option is based on Chapters 4 and 5 of your text.
Assignment
Select a situation to which you can apply Decision Analysis as defined in Chapter 4 and
illustrated in Chapter 5. This can be a professional or personal situation (your choice).
You probably want to keep your situation relatively simple and straightforward since we
are only working with one of the K-T rational processes at this point. None the less, I
want this to be value-adding so make it real and meaningful.
Complete the techniques of Decision Analysis for your situation. The steps are outlined
on pages (White: 86-98, Blue: 90-102) of your text. Use Figures (White: 7 8 9, Blue: 6 7
8) as examples for comparison against MUST and WANT objectives. I have not
developed a template for this option since little other than the titles will stay the same
from analysis to analysis. Make sure you include a clear statement of the decision as well
as the alternative evaluations.
Also, make sure you identify the tentative choice, adverse consequences, and best
balanced choice. See pages 94-98 (White) or pages 97-102 (Blue) in your text for an
example based on the Personnel Information System problem.
Due Date Information
This option is due approximately one week after completing Lecture 6. I am flexible on
the due date, but please keep me posted on your progress and expected submission date if
it will be later than one week after Lecture 6.