Leadership Midterm: Decision Making and Problem Solving
What are some tips for decision making and problem solving? (5)
- Seek additional information. - Learn how others approach problems. - Observe positive role models in action. - Research journal articles to expand your knowledge base. - Risk using new approaches to problem resolution through experimentation, and calculate the risks to self and others.
What type of data needs to used to make sound decisions? (4)
- accurate - relevant - valid - timely
What is consensus? What is a disadvantage of it?
- all participants agree to go along with the final decision even if it wasn't their "first choice" (imperative to ask all participants if they can "live" with the decision) - Disadvantage= requires considerable time
What are some benefits of group decision making? (4)
- higher quality decision made - members are more apt to accept the decision because they have an increased sense of ownership and commitment to the decision (involved) - implementing solutions become easier - involves interprofessional teams
How does effective brainstorming occur?
- list all ideas as stated without critique or discussion - the leader should encourage people to build upon or spin off ideas from those already suggested - ideas should not be judged, nor should the relative merits or disadvantages of the ideas be discussed when brainstorming - group establishes rules for discussions
How does a focus group operate? (3)
- meet face-to-face - directed by a moderator or facilitator (helpful if it is an objective individual) - members are able to validate or disagree with ideas expressed
What are some key problem-solving questions? (6) What if you answer no? What if you answer yes?
1. Is it important? 2. Do I want to do something about it? (e.g., Do I "own" the problem?) 3. Am I qualified to handle it? 4. Do I have the authority to do anything? 5. Do I have the knowledge, interest, time, and resources to deal with it? 6. Can I delegate it to someone else? 7. What benefits will be derived from solving it? If you answer no to questions 1-5, why waste time, resources and energy If you answer yes, the nurse leader or manager chooses to accept the problem and assume responsibility for it
What is the four-step model for defining a problem in the problem-solving process?
1. establish the need for a solution 2. justify the need 3. contextualize the problem 4. write a problem statement
Groups are more committed if the idea was achieved by ____________
Consensus
After identifying the problem, nurse leaders and managers must decide whether the problem is within their ___________ and whether it is significant enough to require _____________
Control, intervention
Definition: conceptualizing new and innovative approaches to solving problems or making decisions.
Creativity
Both decision making and problem solving require ________________.
Critical thinking
Definition: A composite of knowledge, attitudes, and skills; an intellectually disciplined process. Also, the ability to assess a situation by asking open-ended questions about the facts and assumptions that underlie it and to use personal judgment and problem-solving ability in deciding how to deal with it.
Critical thinking
What are two types of decision-making tools?
Decision grids and SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, threat)
Definition: Purposeful and goal-directed effort using a systematic process to choose among options.
Decision making
Problem solving includes the _____________ process
Decision making
What group decision-making strategy involves systematically collecting and summarizing opinions and judgments on a particular issue from respondents, such as members of expert panels, through interviews, surveys, or questionnaires? What happens next?
Delphi Technique Next: Opinions of the respondents are repeatedly reported back to them with a request to provide more refined opinions and rationales on the issue or matter under consideration. Between each round, the results are tabulated and analyzed so that the findings can be reported to the participants. This allows the participants to reconsider their responses.
In nominal group technique what happens after each member takes a turn sharing one idea until all ideas are presented? What is the final step?
Discussion is allowed, ideas are clarified and the merits of each idea are discussed The final step: each member privately assigns a priority rank to each option. Group members can then place colored stickers on the flip chart next to their first, second, and third choices or they may use pieces of paper to record their choices. The solution chosen is the option that receives the highest ranking by the majority of participants.
What are advantages to the Delphi Technique? (3)
Don't have to physically convene, the questionnaire or survey requires little time commitment for the participants, prevents the negative or unproductive verbal and nonverbal interactions that can occur when groups work together
What are some disadvantages of a focus group? (3)
Getting people together, time, issues related to group dynamics
The __________________ model offers the staff the ability to make a decision after the information has been shared and without the active involvement of the manager.
Informative
When doing a SWOT analysis strengths and weaknesses are _____________ to the individual, group or organization, whereas the opportunities and threats are ____________ factors
Internal, external
Effective __________ anticipates problems and comes up with methods for dealing with them.
Leaders
What are disadvantages to the Delphi Technique? (2)
May result in a lower sense of accomplishment and involvement because the participants are detached from the overall process and do not communicate with each other
Killer phrases cause what to happen?
Members stop contributing ideas
With the Delphi Technique do participants need to physically convene?
No, therefore there can be a large number of respondents
The ___________________ technique allows group members the opportunity to provide input into the decision-making process.
Nominal group technique
What strategies for group decision-making is when participants are ask to not talk to each other as they write down their ideas to solve a predefined problem or issue? What occurs afterwards?
Nominal group technique After a period of silent generation of ideas, generally no more than 10 minutes, each member is asked to share an idea, which is displayed on a flip chart. Comments and elaboration are not allowed during this phase.
Definition: A specific decision process that is designed to produce the best (optimal) results.
Optimizing
What type of decision is based on an analysis of the pros and cons associated with each option?
Optimizing
What type of decision is where the person doesn't settle?
Optimizing
What type of decision making approach takes longer to arrive at a decision?
Optimizing
In the ______________ model the managers decide what is best for their team.
Paternalistic
What are the 3 decision-making styles/models?
Paternalistic, informative and shared decision making.
During group decision making and problem solving what can stifle creativity, idea generation and innovation?
Premature critiquing of ideas (members use inflammatory statements, killer phrases, such as "It will never work," "Administration won't go for it," "What a dumb idea," "It's not in the budget," "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," and "We tried that before.")
Definition: Using a systematic process to solve a problem.
Problem solving
A ___________ analysis is commonly used in strategic planning or marketing efforts but can also be used by individuals and groups in decision making.
SWOT
Definition: A decision process where the solution is acceptable (rather than best).
Satisficing
What decision making approach allows for quick decisions and may be the most appropriate when lack of time is an issue?
Satisficing
What are the two types of decisions?
Satisficing and optimizing
In a __________________ model, the decisions are made through an interactive, deliberate process and the staff may express and discuss options and preferences.
Shared decision
What decision making style/model takes more time?
Shared decision
Which decision making style/model is more appropriate when conflict is likely to occur or when the problem is unstructured?
Shared decision
Which decision making style/model is shown to increase work performance, productivity, decrease employee turnover, and enhance employee satisfaction?
Shared decision
What does SWOT stand for?
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
What is the trigger for action?
The existence of a "problem" or issue
What is the goal of the Delphi Technique?
To achieve a consensus
What is the purpose of a focus group?
To explore issues (identify problems or to evaluate the effects of an intervention) and generate information
What is the goal of brainstorming? What is the downside to this?
To generate ideas (no matter how unrealistic or absurd- that's why you don't want there to be criticism) Because the emphasis is on the volume of ideas not necessarily the quality, solutions may be superficial and fail to solve the problem.
When are decision-making tools most appropriate? (2)
When information is available and options are known
What is an example of a satisficing decision?
a young nurse contemplates seeking employment in one of three places: an acute care hospital in the city, a community health organization, or a rural, comprehensive clinic/hospital. A satisficing decision might result if the nurse picked the rural hospital that offered a decent salary and benefit packet or the position closest to home.
________________ facilitate the visualization of the options under consideration and allow comparison of options using common criteria. What are some examples of criteria used?
decision grids Criteria: time required, ethical or legal considerations, equipment needs and costs.
The hallmark of any type of ______________ is the identification and selection of options or alternatives.
decision making
What is an example of an optimizing decision?
if the nurse lists the pros and cons of each position being considered, such as salary, benefits, opportunities for advancement, staff development, mentorship programs, and career goals.
What questions can you ask to justify the need?
•Is the effort aligned with our strategy? •What are the desired benefits for the company, and how will we measure them? •How will we ensure that a solution is implemented?
What questions can you ask when writing the problem statement?
•Is the problem actually many problems? •What requirements must a solution meet? •Which problem solvers should we engage? •What do solvers need to submit?
What questions can you ask to contextualize the problem?
•What approaches have we tried? •What have others tried? •What are the internal and external constraints on implementing a solution?
What questions can you ask to establish the need for a solution?
•What is the basic need? •What is the desired outcome? •Who stands to benefit and why?
What are the advantages of nominal group technique? (2) What are the disadvantages? (2)
Advantage: allows equal participation among members, minimizes the influence of dominant personalities Disadvantages: time consuming, requires advance preparation
With decision grids what should be listed for each options? (2)
Advantages and disadvantages
The_____________ decision-making method results in more rapid decision making and is appropriate in crisis situations. Who is making the decisions in this model?
Autocratic, the leader makes the decision, no one else has a choice
_______________ can be an effective method for generating a large volume of creative options.
Brainstorming
What are some strategies to minimize the problems encountered with group decision making and problem solving (4)?
Brainstorming, nominal group techniques, focus groups and Delphi technique.
