Historic Problem That Required a Group Solution: Drug Abuse

I once lived in a town that experienced a rapid growth rate of drug abuse among the youth. The once peaceful town had become insecure with the youth joining criminal gangs that terrorized the residents. The school dropout rates increased significantly. More than 30 students, mostly males, were leaving school each semester. The increased crime rate had affected the town's economic stability with investors relocating to other secure towns. Members of the community were concerned and raised the issue with the sheriff and other government officials.

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Problem Solving Process

Problem Recognition

According to Coget & Losh (2016), the first step in problem solving to recognize the problem. This involves collecting and comprehending data, identifying patterns as well as interactions and discrepancies. These activities help a group or organization to identify and recognize a problem. However, this step is always eliminated since most problem solving cases begin after the problem has been recognized. In the above case, members of the community and other stakeholders had recognized there is a problem of drug abuse among the youth in the town.

Framing the Problem

This step involves describing the problem to enable better understanding by the stakeholders involved. It clarifies and defines a problem including its nature, parameters as well as the fundamental values and assumptions. Problem farming entails collecting data, defining the problem, analyzing the problem from various perspectives, assessing resources, among other activities (Coget & Losh, 2016). It is the most critical process in problem solving since group members cannot generate and implement effective solutions if they do not understand the problem well (Maughan, 2014).

Generating Solutions

Generating solutions refers to formulating solutions through ideation activities. It starts with the choice of the ideation and problem solution approaches. Ideation can be interactive such as brainstorming where stakeholders generate various ideas, both divergent and convergent (Champoux, 2017). It is critical to choose a suitable ideation approach for the situation since the effectiveness of each approach varies from one problem to another.

Evaluating or Testing Solutions

This stage involves assessing the suitability of each solution generated. Before solutions can be tested, evaluation criteria and standards must be established. The solutions are then appraised based on the criteria established. Factors considered in the evaluation of alternatives include success potential, financial implications, flaws, potential implementation problems, among other variables. The process helps the stakeholders to eliminate weaker solutions (Coget & Losh, 2016). It may also include replacing the weaker solutions with better alternatives. The group can also recycle the entire process and reframe the problem if it is convinced that the problem was not well-framed. In this case, new ideas will be generated and tested based on the revised problem framing.

Selecting a Solution

The team then selects the best alternative out of the options that passed the screening process. The team comprehends and agrees on the best criteria for identifying the optimal solution. Coget & Losh (2016) explain that this process requires knowledge sharing and constructive conflicts to ensure that the selected solution is widely accepted. The level of acceptance will influence the stakeholders' commitment to implement the solution as well as the amount of resources allocated to the implementation (Champoux, 2017). People can sabotage the implementation of a solution they don't agree with. Effective communication among the stakeholders is critical to enhancing acceptance of the selected solution (Cassidy & Kreitner, 2013). In some cases, a problem may require more than one solution.

Putting the Solution Into Effect

The problem is then implemented by establishing and executing an implementation plan. It includes organizing the schedule, assigning responsibilities and resources as well as addressing problems that may arise (Coget & Losh, 2016). A flawed implementation can reduce the effectiveness of an otherwise optimal solution.

Evaluating the Solution

In this step, the solution is assessed to determine if it is effective in resolving the problem. The evaluation includes monitoring outcomes and compares them with the intended results (Fox, 2014). Potential issues are then identified and resolved to ensure the process is smooth. If the assessment indicates that the solution is not effective, the problem solving process may be recycled to identify other solutions (Fox, 2014).

How the Problem was SolvedAfter receiving several complaints from the members of the community, the sheriff considered this a security problem and called a meeting of security officials in the town. After a two hour meeting, the sheriff announced a crackdown on illegal drug traders, criminal gang members and pubs selling alcohol to minors. Six months into the crackdown, a few people had been arrested, but the school dropout and drug addiction rates had not improved.

The decision making could have been better if the sheriff followed the seven-step problem solving process. Firstly, the sheriff should have engaged all relevant stakeholders including representatives of religious leaders, community members, learning institutions, youth groups, among other stakeholders. This would have led to the formation of task force to collect data and analyze the problem. The problem would have been better framed if all stakeholders were involved. The task force consisting of representatives of all the relevant stakeholders would then generate and test several possible solutions and agree on the best courses of action. Better solutions would have been arrived at. For instance, this was not a matter of security alone hence a crackdown by security apparatus was not adequate. Other solutions included counseling and rehabilitation programs, among other solutions.

References

Cassidy, C., & Kreitner, R. (2013). Principles of management. Johanneshov: MTM.

Champoux, J. (2017). Organizational behavior. New York: Routledge.

Coget, J., & Losh, S. (2016). Group Behavior in Organizations (2nd ed.). Bridgepoint Education.

Fox, W. (2014). Effective group problem solving. Bloomington, Ind.: LifeRich.

Maughan, M. (2014). Organisational behaviour. Palgrave Macmillan.