© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Problem Solving & Decision Making II: Deciding & Implementing

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

C H A P T E R 1 1

Twelfth EditionTheory and Practice

EFFECTIVEGROUPDISCUSSION

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter Content

Step 4 of P-MOPS: Consensus Decision Making

Step 5 of P-MOPS: Implementing the Solution Chosen

Tailoring P-MOPS for a Specific Problem

Technology & Improving Group Problem Solving & Decision Making

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 4 of P-MOPS: Consensus Decision Making

4A: Decide what decision-making method to use By leader By the leader in consultation with members By majority vote By consensus

Continued

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Decision-Making Methods By leader

Advantages High-quality decision if leader is expert Fast Group avoids anxiety of decision making

Disadvantages Lacks others input Members may not support decision May cause resentment & reduced cohesiveness

So when might the group use this method?Continued

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Decision-Making Methods By leader, with consultation

Advantages High-quality decisions Fast Useful if group cannot come to consensus Members appreciate opportunity to participate

Disadvantages “Losing” side may not support decision May encourage ducking development of

consensus

So when might the group use this method?Continued

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Decision-Making Methods

By majority vote Advantages

Familiar procedure Each vote counts equally Fast

Disadvantages Decision may be flawed Minority may resent outcome

So when might the group use this method?Continued

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Decision-Making Methods

By consensus Advantages

All members support decision Members more satisfied High-quality decisions

Disadvantages Takes more time Members feel pressure to conform May be hard/impossible to achieve

Continued

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Consensus Decision-making

So when might the group use this method?

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 4 of P-MOPS: Consensus Decision Making

Suggestions for achieving consensus:1. Do not argue stubbornly; listen

actively2. Avoid win-lose situations3. Avoid groupthink4. Avoid conflict-suppressing techniques5. Seek out differences of opinion from

all group members

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 4 of P-MOPS: Consensus Decision Making

4B: Understand phasic progression during decision making Orientation Conflict Decision emergence Reinforcement

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Phasic Progression

Figure 11.2 Decision Making within the Development of a Small Group

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 4 of P-MOPS: Consensus Decision Making

4C: Understand what can go wrong during decision making Group polarization

Social Comparison Theory Persuasive Arguments Theory

Groupthink

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Symptoms of Groupthink

1. Group overestimates its power and morality

2. Group becomes close-minded

3. Group members experience pressures to conform

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Preventing Groupthink

1. Each member assumes the role of critical evaluator

2. Form independent subgroups3. Prevent insulation from outside

information4. Refrain from stating preferences

before a discussion5. Use technology for problem-solving

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 4 of P-MOPS: Consensus Decision Making

4D: Second-guess the tentative choice before fully committing to it

RISK technique1. Leader describes proposed solution2. Members brainstorm potential problems3-4. Post, compile and distribute a list of

problems5-6. Discuss and evaluate risks7. Possibly reconsider the proposed plan

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 5 of P-MOPS: Implementing the Solution Chosen

For purposes of this class, implementation includes:

The class presentation and documentation

The actual or theoretical implementation of your proposed solution

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 5 of P-MOPS: Implementing the Solution Chosen

For your solution implementation ask yourselves:

What is our authority or “area of freedom?” Can we implement ourselves? Do we have to convince someone in

authority?

Can we combine the two in some way?

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 5 of P-MOPS: Implementing the Solution Chosen

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

1. Describe the final step2-5. List chronologically all remaining events

to prepare for the final goal6. Calculate the needed time & resources

to complete the remaining events7. Compare time estimates with deadlines8. Delegate responsibilities

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sample PERT Chart

Figure 11.4 Sample PERT Chartfor a Student Group Project

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Tailoring P-MOPS for a Specific Problem

Consider the characteristics of the problem: Task difficulty Solution multiplicity Intrinsic interest Cooperative requirements Population familiarity Acceptance requirements Technical requirements

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Adapting a Problem-Solving Procedure to a Problem

Figure 11.5 How Problem Characteristics Suggest Ways to Adapt P-MOPS

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Technology & Improving Group Problem Solving & Decision Making

Computer-mediated communication Teleconferences

Videoconferences Audioconferences Computer conferences

How can you make them more effective?

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Technology & Improving Group Problem Solving & Decision Making

Group Support Systems (GSS) Technology designed to support traditional

groups Advantages

Generate more alternative ideas Make better decisions More even member participation

Continued

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Technology & Improving Group Problem Solving & Decision Making

Group Support Systems (GSS) Disadvantages

Difficulty with negotiation and complex cognitive tasks

Takes more time Consensus is harder to achieve Member satisfaction is lower

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Tips for a better project:

Gather as much information as possible.

Include all members in the decision-making project.

Examine all proposed solutions for possible “challenges” or “negatives.”

Allow time for last minute problems, improvements and emergencies.