Problem Formulation and Identification

Running head: PROBLEM FORMULATION AND IDENTIFICATION PAPER

Problem Formulation and Identification Paper

Kelly Stokes

University of Phoenix

Introduction

It is difficult to determine the best possible model for finding and creating a workable solution to any given set of problems. When dealing with serious situations and multiple stakeholders over one situation or another, the consequences become the focus of the problem solving model and methods. No matter how we decide to proceed with a given set or circumstances

Problem Identification and Formulation

I know from experience that problems have a way of taking on a sense of urgency when least expected and the last thing any of us want is an opportunity that threatens our organization and we do have a plan to address it. This is why it is absolutely crucial that we learn to identify the different levels of opportunity and be able to address them in a systematic order according to their importance.

The best defense against having opportunities get out of hand is to have a strong offence and address issues before they become a problem. To accomplish this we should be prepared to ask a systematic set of questions that let us identify the opportunity. Victor H. Vroom, a professor of organization and management at Yale University, suggests that having a set pattern for asking questions in an effort to identify what kind of opportunity we have, will help eliminate mistakes in the long run and will give us time to think of the decision style we need to use in solving the opportunity while making others aware and gaining approval in the process. With having this type of approval from others within the organization can bring added benefits such as collaboration and synergy while saving time and added recourses (Ernstthal, 2002).

What Professor Vroom found, was that when executives asked questions in a certain pattern such as using a decision tree they could assess the attributes of the opportunity and then...