'How good am I at problem solving' - Essay Example

How good am I at problem solving?’ March 22, ‘How good am I at problem solving?’ Problem solving is a systematic process that involves investigation into factors to a problem with the aim of overcoming an obstacle that the problem presents. Success in problem solving identifies a number of steps and associated skills and qualities that distinguish people who are good at solving problems and those who are poor at the process. I, in this paper, examine my problem solving ability, identify my developmental need in problem solving, and outline a strategy for improvement.

Determining my ability to solve problems involved a self-evaluation process in which I completed a questionnaire and used the questionnaire’s guidelines to determine my potential. I responded to the questionnaire’s 16 prompts, its integrated model calculated my score then I determined my ability from the questionnaire’s scores scale. The assessment rated my problem solving ability at 73 on a scale that ranged from 26 to 80. The results identify my problem solving ability as outstanding.

They show that I demonstrate a high level of confidence in the problem solving process, that I am patient to understand factors around a problem and to understand strategies for a suitable solution. The results also indicate that my approach to solving problems is systematic and are justified by the correspondence between my approach to problem solving and the outlined problem solving strategy. I, for example take time to “identify and define the problem,” extract possible solutions and establish a criterion for assessing the alternatives.

Analysis into a preferred alternative then follows this before I implement and review results (Anderson, Et al., 2009, p. 3). Evaluation of possible solutions, selection of the most appropriate alternatives, and evaluation of results are some of the simple aspects in the process while generation of alternatives to the process remains a challenge to me. The ability to solve problems is important to leaders and managers because the scopes of their duty require constant decision making for guiding people and processes under them, and for resolving conflicts that may arise within their scopes of work.

I can improve my problem solving skill by improving my creativity potential. This will help me in generating alternatives for solving problems, an important element of the problem solving process. My specific objective will be to improve on my creativity in generating alternatives for solving a problem. I will measure progress through an expert evaluator who will present a problem to me and review my generated alternatives to the problem. I will need secondary resources such as published books and management journals with simulated and real case studies that present problems and will use the problem scenarios to expand my creativity.

The goal is relevant to improving problem solving and decision-making abilities that are very instrumental in management and leadership. It will therefore improve my capacity to offer guidance and directives in an organizational set up. The goal will also improve my leadership and managerial abilities and therefore benefit my work environment. I plan to achieve this goal in three month’s time. The goal challenges me by identifying the benefit of improving my problem solving ability and it expands my capacity by stretching my schedule, a factor that improves managerial potentials.

I will organize for a retreat to one of my favourite resorts to reward myself for achieving the goal. The goal has however not been achieved because it is still in its preliminary stage. Works cited Anderson, D Sweeney, D Williams, T Camm, J & Cochran, J 2009, Quantitative methods for business, Cengage Learning, Mason. Appendix: SMARTER chart What is your specific goal/objective? How will you measure progress? What resources do you require to achieve this goal/objective? How is the goal/objective relevant, with a clear purpose and benefit?

Is there a deadline? If so, what time do you have to achieve the goal/objective? How does the goal/objective challenge and extend you? What will your reward be for achieving the goal/objective? Has the goal/objective been achieved? (Tick if yes/identify reasons if no.) My specific objective will be to improve on my creativity in generating alternatives for solving a problem. I will measure progress through an expert evaluator who will present a problem to me and review my generated alternatives to the problem.

I will need secondary resources such as published books and management journals with simulated and real case studies that present problems and will use the problem scenarios to expand my creativity. The goal is relevant to improving problem solving and decision-making abilities that are very instrumental in management and leadership. It will therefore improve my capacity to offer guidance and directives in an organizational set up. The goal will also improve my leadership and managerial abilities and therefore benefit my work environment.

I plan to achieve this goal in three month’s time. The goal challenges me by identifying the benefit of improving my problem solving ability and it expands my capacity by stretching my schedule, a factor that improves managerial potentials. I will organize for a retreat to one of my favourite resorts to reward myself for achieving the goal. The goal has however not been achieved because it is still in its preliminary stage.