Management Plan Example needed in 2-3 hours

You and your teammates are working for a company as members of their management team.

Write a 1,300- to 1,500-word management plan that includes the following:

•Discuss the best methods that the management team can use to problem solve areas under consideration.

•Discuss how judgment is included in these processes.

•Provide an example in your plan.

Sources should include the course text and at least 1 peer-reviewed journal article.

Papers should adhere to APA style.

Problem Solving and Judgment

Everyday we’re faced with making a decision or decisions, some are life changing, and others may be derived from a policy or procedure that has little or no input from the individual that requires a judgment to be made. The process of choosing one course of action over another is generally identified as problem solving were a judgment is needed. In this paper our team will discuss three (3) steps to problem solving, goal directedness, subgoal decomposition, an operation application, In addition, three ways to acquire a new problem solving operators. We will summarize with the best methods to solve problems, and provide an example.

Best Methods to Problem Solve Areas under Consideration

The stage of operator selection represents a crucial step in the process toward problem resolution. This stage offers three main methods to problem solving: back up avoidance, difference reduction, and means-ends analysis. Back up avoidance refers to problem solver bias and essentially creates significant reluctance to undo or backtrack on the initial problem solving behavior (Anderson, 2009). Although the persistence and determination in back up avoidance is also noted, back up avoidance often reduces open mindedness to adaptation abilities and creativity.

Difference reduction or “hill climbing” describes a fixation on the end goal. People who use difference reduction to solve problems often miss out on alternative problem solving behaviors because of their fixation on reducing the distance between their current state and the main goal, however ineffectively (Anderson, 2009). Difference reduction involves identification of sub goals and subtasks to some degree, which provide much usefulness in tackling the larger end goal. However, people who use difference reduction refuse to take creative or alternative steps to achieve their goal, even if the alternative steps (temporarily) take away from their sense of getting “higher” toward their goal (Anderson, 2009).

Researchers divide human creativity in two distinct forms, one of which is fundamentally goal-driven and the other of which is fundamentally natural (Bhattacharya, Yonggui, & Dongming, 2010). Whereas goal-driven creativity primarily focuses on problem solving, natural creativity is characterized by impulsivity, spontaneity, and creativity. Means-ends analysis (MEA) refers to the most sophisticated (and recommended) method to problem solving that combines goal-driven and natural approaches to problem solving (Anderson, 2009).

MEA appeals to management teams highly for two major reasons. First, MEA research consistently reflects that humans are social creatures that problem solve within social contexts that influence creativity. Second, MEA highlights a logical framework that strives to continually improve performance through adaptation, creativity, openness, and an emphasis on enabling means rather than fixation on the main goal (Bhattacharya et al. 2010).

MEA appeals to common sense and aims to identify and address the biggest difference. Managers who use MEA possess openness to rerouting plans and changing the sequence of operators if necessary, rather than abandoning them. MEA describes a method in which people perceive the means as the end and focus on enabling the means to finally achieve the main goal. This partly explains why Herbert Simon’s MEA dominated the direction of design research on artificial intelligence systems (AIS) for systematic problem solving (Bhattacharya et al. 2010).

Research on systematic introspective methods indicates a significant impact on performance. Introspection emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, self-awareness, self-observation, self-monitoring in the interpretation of behaviors and verbal data, and improve problem solving performance (Jäkel & Schreiber, 2013). Introspective methods such as verbalization provide managers with insight into employees’ reasoning and help employees organize their thoughts and generate explanations for use of problem solving operators; particularly in problem solving for complex problems. Additionally, introspection increases self-regulation, improves understanding between management and employees, and exposes organizational members to a wide range of perspectives.

The Role of Judgment in these Processes

An Example in the Plan

Conclusion

Problem solving represents a higher cognitive ability that aims to reduce the distance between the current state and the goal. Problem solving possesses three main features: goal directedness, sub-goal composition, and operator application. Goal directedness refers to the identification of an issue that requires strategic action. Sub-goal composition pertains to the crucial step of breaking down the main goal into smaller goals and tasks that allow for consistent increments of progress either by individual or group effort. Operator application refers to the selection and application of a method or action most appropriate for the unique issue or goal (Anderson, 2009).

Management teams can select problem solving operators in three different ways: discovery, direct instruction, and example (Anderson, 2009). In some cases, management approaches may benefit from a combination of methods of acquiring operators. Discovery refers to enlightenment and exploration of an approach that was not influenced by instruction or observation of others’ examples. Direct instruction refers to the influence of directives or suggestions given by superiors (or others) on problem solving behaviors. Example reflects another social impact on problem solving behaviors and involves observation and analysis of methods and outcomes used by others.