Business Studies Grade 12 Creative Thinking and Problem Solving PDF
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Summary
This document provides notes on the concepts of problem-solving and decision-making, including the different steps involved in problem-solving and various techniques such as Delphi Technique and Force Field Analysis.
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Business Studies Grade 12 Creative thinking and problem solving Notes Define/Elaborate on the meaning of problem-solving and decision making. Decision making: It is often done by one person/a member of senior management who mak...
Business Studies Grade 12 Creative thinking and problem solving Notes Define/Elaborate on the meaning of problem-solving and decision making. Decision making: It is often done by one person/a member of senior management who makes it authoritarian. Various alternatives are considered before deciding on the best one. It is part of the problem solving cycle as decisions need to be taken in each step. Problem solving: Problems can be solved by a group/ team or an individual team member. Alternative solutions are generated/ identified and critically evaluated. Process of analysing a situation to identify strategies to bring about change. Explain/Differentiate/Distinguish between problem-solving and decision making. DECISION MAKING PROBLEM SOLVING -It is often done by one person/a member of -Problems can be solved by a group/ senior management who makes it team or an individual team member. authoritarian. -Various alternatives are considered before -Alternative solutions are generated/ deciding on the best one. identified and critically evaluated. -It is part of the problem solving cycle as -Process of analysing a situation to decisions need to be taken in each step. identify strategies to bring about change. Identify/Name/Outline/Explain/Discuss the problem solving steps. Identify the problem Identify the exact problem Acknowledge that there is a problem Define the problem The nature of the problem must be precise. Define the possible causes of the problem Gather as much information as possible to establish the cause of the problem. Identify alternative solutions Identify all different possible solutions Decide on the cause Evaluate alternative solutions Use critical evaluation and analytical skills to evaluate each solution. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative solution. Choose the best solution Set criteria for the best solution, in terms of aspects such as time/cost/risk involved Identify which solution will be used The best solution should match the size and the resources of the business. If the solution is not appropriate, the business should go back to defining the problem. Formulate/Develop an action plan/strategy Arrange the necessary resources and delegate tasks. Establish a time line for implementation and set deadlines Implement the action plan Carry out the planned actions/solution. Communicate delegated tasks/deadlines to employees. Evaluate the solution/action plan Assess whether the problem has been solved partially or entirely Monitor/test the solution/action plan/strategy continuously. If problems emerge, they must recognise and re-formulate the problem for improved solutions in the future. Identify/Name the following problem solving techniques from given scenarios/statements: Delphi technique; Force field analysis; Brainstorming; Nominal group technique Explain/Advise businesses on how they can apply the above-stated problem- solving techniques to solve complex business problems. Application of the Delphi technique Businesses must invite a panel of experts to research the complaints from customers. Experts do not have to be in one place and will be contacted individually. Design a questionnaire consisting of questions on how to improve the quality of their products and distribute it to the panel members/experts. Request the panel to individually respond to the questionnaire/suggest improvements to the products and return it to the business Summarise the responses from the experts in a feedback report. Send the feedback report and a second set of questions/questionnaire based on the feedback report to the panel members. Request panel members to provide further input/ideas on how to improve the quality of products after they have studied the results/documentation. Distribute a third questionnaire based on previous feedback from the second round. Prepare a final summary/feedback report with all the methods to improve the quality of the business’s products The business should choose the best solution/proposal after reaching consensus. Application of Force-Field Analysis technique Describe the current situation/problem and the desired situation. List all driving/pros and restraining/cons forces that will support and resist change. Allocate a score to each force using a numerical scale, where 1 is weak and 5 is strong. Weigh up the positives and negatives then decide if the project is viable. Choose the force with the highest score as the solution. If the project is viable, find ways to increase the forces for change. Identify priorities and develop an action plan. Application of brainstorming technique State/Define the business problem clearly, so that all participants/stake-holders understand the problem. Members state possible causes of the business problems. Set a time limit for each brainstorming session. Record/Write ideas down, where all participants can see it./Ideas may also be shared online during an E-brainstorming session. Use each suggestion, to inspire new thoughts/ideas. Do not judge/criticise/discuss the ideas, so that many ideas could be generated as quickly as possible. All members of the group randomly make suggestions. The group rates ideas according to its usefulness/success/difficulty/cost to implement. The group evaluates all ideas, and combines similar ones/draw up a refined list. Discuss a plan of action on how to implement the best ideas. Application of Nominal-group technique Encourage group to clearly define the problem/to improve the quality of their products due to various complaints so that all the small groups can work on the same problem. The business must divide the employees into smaller groups. Request each employee to silently brainstorm /generate many ideas on his/her own, on how the quality of their paint can be improved and to write it down. Each employee in the small group has the opportunity to give one of his/her idea/solution with a short explanation. Appoint one employee to write the ideas/solutions on a large sheet of paper/ capture solutions electronically on computer for all to see. Allow each employee to give a second solution until all possible solutions have been recorded. Encourage employees to ask clarity seeking questions. Discourage criticism of ideas/solutions as this may prevent others from giving their solutions. The business must eliminate ideas that are duplicated/ similar. Each employee must read through all the suggestions and anonymously rate them giving the highest points for the best solution.√ Collect the ratings and calculate total points. Small groups must present one solution to the large group that was deemed best according to the scores/votes in their small groups. Discuss/Evaluate/Analyse the impact (positives/advantages and/or negatives/ disadvantages) of the above-stated problem-solving techniques Impact of Delphi technique Positives/Advantages Businesses may use a group of experts without bringing them together. The experts will give the business clear ideas/solutions on how to improve on productivity/ profitability. Information received from experts can be used to solve complex business problems. Experts may give honest/credible opinions as they do not have a direct/personal interest in the business. Conflict may be avoided especially if all employees are knowledgeable and well qualified. Dominating employees may not take over the process as they do not form part of the problem solving process. It reduces noise levels in an office environment since there is no group discussion. AND/OR Negatives/Disadvantages It is an expensive technique to use due to high administrative costs. May be time consuming/complicated to analyse data received from experts. Not all experts are willing/interested to give feedback/complete questionnaires. Some experts might not have an in-depth knowledge of certain topics. Experts' suggestions may not be considered by some employees so consensus may not be reached. Impact of the Force-Field Analysis Positives/Advantages It provides a visual summary of all the various factors supporting and opposing a particular idea Employees feel included and understood. Employees develop and grow with the business. Informed decisions can be made as forces for and against are critically evaluated. Enables businesses to strengthen the driving forces and weaken the restraining forces. Businesses are able to have an idea of the timeline required and the requirements of additional resources. AND /OR Negatives/Disadvantages It is time consuming since the business must stabilise before more changes can be made. Requires the participation of all business units The analysis developed is entirely dependent upon the skill level and knowledge of the group working on the analysis. The impact of brainstorming Positives/Advantages Better solutions are developed through collective contributions. Combinations of ideas/improvements can be chosen after all the ideas have been written down. Employees are motivated as they are allowed to contribute to problem solving. Stimulates creative thinking in the workplace. People get ideas from others and build on them. AND/OR Negatives/Disadvantages Brainstorming is time consuming as all stakeholders/employees may generate too many ideas which can delay decision making. Some team members may dominate discussion. Fear of criticism may prevent full participation in brainstorming sessions. It may lead to 'group think'/some individuals may not give their opinions. Discussion may result in conflict due to differences in opinion The impact of the Nominal group technique Positives/Advantages It provides time to think about the question in silence before responding Each team member/director has a chance to participate without interference from other team members. Voting on the ideas is anonymous and may be more reliable/honest. Everyone in the group is given an opportunity to contribute to the discussion, while avoiding the likelihood of one person dominating the group process. Enables the group to generate and clarifies a large amount of ideas quickly, and democratically prioritises them. It encourages participants to confront issues through constructive problem solving Strong technique for preventing conformity to group pressure. AND/OR Negatives/Disadvantages It minimises discussion, and thus does not allow the full development of ideas. Ideas/Inputs made by members may not converge and cannot lead to the same solution(s). Suggestions may not be as creative as when a group throws ideas around. It is time consuming, as each member must make a presentation. It is hard to implement it effectively with large groups unless very carefully planned beforehand Requires extended advance preparation, which means that it cannot be a spontaneous technique Good ideas can be voted out because its potential cannot be developed further Small groups limit participation and are pre-selected. CREATIVE THINKING Define/Elaborate on the meaning of creative thinking. A way of looking at problems from a fresh perspective that leads to unusual solutions/ Thinking original/ Lateral thinking (outside of the box) Explain the benefits/advantages of creative thinking in the workplace. Better/Unique/Unconventional ideas/solutions are generated. May give the business a competitive advantage if unusual/unique solutions/ ideas/strategies are implemented. Complex business problems may be solved. Productivity increases as management/employees may quickly generate multiple ideas which utilises time and money more effectively. Managers/Employees have more confidence as they can live up to their full potential. Managers will be better leaders as they will be able to handle/manage change(s) positively and creatively. Managers/Employees can develop a completely new outlook, which may be applied to any task(s) they may do. Leads to more positive attitudes as managers/employees feel that they have contributed towards problem solving. Improves motivation amongst staff members. Managers/Employees have a feeling of great accomplishment and they will not resist/obstruct the process once they solved a problem/contributed towards the success of the business. Management/employees may keep up with fast changing technology. Stimulates initiative from employees/managers, as they are continuously pushed out of their comfort zone. Creativity may lead to new inventions which improves the general standard of living. Explain/Recommend ways businesses can create an environment that promotes creative thinking in the workplace. Emphasise the importance of creative thinking to ensure that all staff know that management want to hear their ideas. Encourage staff to come up with new ideas/opinions/solutions. Make time for brainstorming sessions to generate new ideas, e.g. regular workshops/ generate more ideas/build on one another's ideas. Place suggestion boxes around the workplace and keep communication channels open for new ideas. Train staff in innovative techniques/creative problem solving skills/mind-mapping/ lateral thinking. Encourage job swops within the organisation/studying how other businesses are doing things. Encourage alternative ways of working/doing things. Respond enthusiastically to all ideas and never let anyone feel less important