Team task - Using problem-solving tools

Identify a problem in your workplace. If you are not currently employed, interview someone in your family or a friend who is employed and who would like to share a problem they have at work.

You need to do the following:

1. Try to solve the problem by using the six steps of problem solving.
2. Apply the ‘five-whys’ method on the same problem and write down the five reasons.
3. Write the results of (1) and (2) in a message in your team forum, explaining the problem and how you would solve this problem using these two methods. Explain which of the two methods you preferred and why.
4. As a team, choose one problem you all know about (from the news or in your communities if you live close to each other).
5. As a team discuss how the two problem-solving methods would apply.
6. The presenter compiles a five-slide PowerPoint (or similar software) presentation, which includes:

• a summary of preferred methods and reasons why (summary of individual viewpoints following (3))
• an analysis of the team problem (using the two problem-solving methods).