Answer to Question #306473 in Management for Babalwa

Question

Use an example of real life problem that you have experience in the workplace and apply the Problem-solving Cycle to resolve the problem.

The headings provided below is to be used to discuss your actions related to each of the key steps in the process towards solving your problem.

1. Problem definition (3)

2. Problem Analysis (30)

2.1 Use a Cause and Effect Diagram for this step.

3. Generating possible Solutions (30)

3.1 Provide a brainstorming diagram for this step.

4. Analysing the solution. (10)

5. Selecting the best solutions (5)

6. Developing an Action Plan (40)

6.1 Draft an Action Plan for this step

7. Implementing the solution (5)

8. Evaluating the results. (7)

Answer 1

During an interview- you will undoubtedly be faced with a variety of questions. A great deal of these will be behavioral interview questions such as 'Give me an example of a time when you solved a problem with your research skills.' You may have experience answering more traditional- fact-based questions- but behavioral questions are of a slightly different nature.

Female job candidate being interviewed by two people

Unlike traditional interview questions about your work history- educational background- and hard skills- behavioral questions are used by interviewers to better understand how you would respond in certain situations. Your answers will also give the interviewer an idea of how you see yourself in relation to others in a professional setting. By answering behavioral questions- you will have the opportunity to show the interviewer the personal traits that make you the best candidate for the job.

Depending on the interviewer- the question above may be rephrased as 'Can you describe a time when your research skills helped you solve a problem?' However the question is phrased- there is no room for error- and if you do not have an acceptable answer ready- you may not get the job. Fortunately for job seekers- there are many tips that you can use to successfully answer behavioral questions with ease.

Now you might be wondering something along the lines of: What are problem solving techniques, or what are the problem solving skills? Or perhaps you've heard of the seven steps of the problem solving process. The seven steps of the problem solving process are:

Identify the problem

Define the goals

Brainstorm solutions

Assess/consider any alternatives

Choose the solution

Execute on the chosen solution

Evaluate the chosen solution