Assignment #2 - Problem Solving

Part A:

Think about the healthcare organization that you currently work for, or one that you have in the past, and identify a problem within the organization. The problem could be organizational in nature, equipment related, a procedure, or process that is ineffective, doesn't work the way it was intended, or has undesirable outcomes associated with it.

Once you have thought of a problem that needs to be resolved, identify 3 - 4 ways the problem could be solved. Using brainstorming techniques, mind mapping, or other tools discussed in class, or elsewhere, to develop 3 - 4 possible solutions.

Next, identify a list of criteria (i.e., 5 - 7 criteria) that you can use to assess the potential solutions against. Then complete this assessment using a table like discussed in class. Each of the potential solutions should be evaluated against each of the criteria and the assessment should deliver a clear / best solution to the problem.

Part B:

Finally, prepare a 2-page memo or presentation that you could use to convince your manager that your recommended solution is the best one. The memo should be clear what the problem is, the potential solutions, the evaluation to select the best solution and the stated recommendation. The intent is to persuade your manager that your analysis is complete and to accept your recommendation.

Notes:

The completed assignment is ~ 4-pages in length (2 -3 pages for Part A, and 1 pages for Part B)

A clear introduction that describes the problem is needed. I should be able to clearly understand the problem so that I can assess the criteria you use to select the preferred option and your rationale.

The alternative solutions need to real possibilities (i.e., you cannot make up technologies, or solutions that don't exist).All the potential solutions should effectively work. It is your assessment using the criteria that will determine the best one.

The evaluation criteria should be real-world criteria. This means treat your evaluation like it is a real project and consider all the relevant criteria needed to assess which option is best.

Part B is separate and distinct from Part A.Think of Part B as a memo that you are going to provide to your manager that summarizes your work, the evaluation, and the recommendation that you make. While some of this memo may be repetitive from Part A, it needs to stand on its own so your manager could understand your logic and get to the same conclusion you did. This memo should address everything they need to make an approval decision. The tone of Part B is substantially different than the work completed in Part A, and portions of Part A may be summarized at a different level for Part B.