Argumentation & Problem Solving
• 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?
Making Effective Arguments
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
Therefore, to make effective arguments
1. Articulate position
2. Support it with good empirical evidence
3. Acknowledge & answer counter
a. Positions
b. Empirical evidence
Argumentation & Problem Solving
• Learning Goals
– How to make effective arguments
– How to make solve problems effectively
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
Copyright © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Problem Solving Steps
• Defining the problem and collecting
data
• Analyzing data
• Evaluating and selecting potential
solutions
• Developing an action plan for
implementation
Copyright © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Figure 19-2
Copyright © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Figure 19-3
Copyright © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Figure 19-4
Copyright © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Problem Solving Tools and
Methods
• Brainstorming: Round Robin, Nominal
Group Technique, Post-it notes
• Multivoting
• Affinity diagram
• Tree diagram
• Prioritization matrix
• Payoff tables
Copyright © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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
Copyright © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Issues in Problem Solving
•
•
•
•
Lack of time
Team member resistance
Differing work styles
Lack of managerial support
Copyright © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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
solution
Copyright © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.