Problem, Purpose, and Scope Statements

Your Task. The following situations require reports. For each situation write a concise problem question, a simple statement of purpose, and a scope statement with limitations if appropriate.

a. AlphaCore Company is a midsized specialized cutting tools manufacturer. The company is growing slowly but steadily, and its current computer network system is inefficient. Worse yet, it cannot be upgraded. Quick fixes and temporary patches are increasingly getting costly and frustrate the users, who suffer frequent down times. The company does not have a highly qualified in-house IT staff.

b. Car buyers regularly complain in post purchase surveys about the persuasive tactics of the so-called closers (salespeople trained to finalize the deal). Your car dealership wishes to improve customer satisfaction in the stressful price negotiation process.

c. An AAA survey found that 35 percent of drivers felt less safe on the road than they did five years ago. A third of those respondents blamed distracted driving. State legislators and national safety organizations have taken notice and focused on cell phone use in general and texting in particular as major causes of distracted driving. Several states have issued handheld cell phone bans.

d. Cities around the country enacted strict regulations banning trans fats in restaurant fare. Food processors nationwide are wondering whether they need to make changes before being forced to switch to non-hydrogenated fats by law. Food and Drug Administration regulations have already changed the definitions of common terms such as fresh, flat free, low in cholesterol, and light. The Old World Bakery worries that it may have to change its production process and rewrite all its package labels. Old World doesnt know whether to hire a laboratory or a consultant for this project.

e. Customers placing telephone orders for outdoor clothing and leisure wear with Eddie Bauer typically order only one or two items. The company wonders whether it can train telephone service reps to motivate customers to increase the number of items ordered per call.